A New York Tradition: Driving Economic Benefits for All
New Yorkers for Harness Racing is proud to support the harness racing industry, which brings economic benefits to communities throughout the state and excitement to racing fans worldwide.
Driving New York’s Economy
Harness racing supports thousands of full-time jobs and generates over $400 million in economic benefits annually*. The harness racing industry supports a network of more than 100 breeding farms, training centers and boarding facilities statewide, which are critical for many communities, particularly in rural New York.
The businesses that support the racing industry, many of which are family-owned and run, help to keep farmlands in service, preserve open space and provide job opportunities throughout New York State.
* Statistics from the Empire State Harness Horse Alliance 2024 Economic Impact Study.
Ripple Effects Beyond the Track
New York’s harness racing industry brings benefits well beyond the track, as money flows into the local community and provides indirect benefits through agriculture, farm equipment and construction, animal health services, racetrack jobs and increasing tourism.
Benefits are felt in every community and region where the state’s seven harness tracks are located, as well as the areas surrounding the breeding and agricultural farms that support the harness racing teams.
Powered by Standardbreds
Each standardbred’s impact is felt in our economy and local communities beyond the racetrack – supporting families, strengthening businesses and powering New York.
Harness racing brings meaningful impact to the state through capital investments, local jobs and state and local taxes. Further, the breeding industry drives benefits through economic activity related to yearling auctions and farm equipment investments, as well as agricultural benefits related to preserving working farmlands.
In fact, a recent study found that each racehorse in the state generates $92,100 in economic impact and every 100 horses creates 80 jobs across the agriculture, equipment, racetrack, animal health services, transportation, construction and tourism industries*.
* Source: New York Sire Stakes 2024 Annual Report.
The Pinnacle of Harness Racing
New York harness racing is recognized throughout the world for the quality of our competitions, the dedication of our community of fans and our ability to support the interests of our owners, trainers, drivers, breeders and grooms. New York-resident mares and stallions have outstanding performance in the breeding shed and on the racetrack, and New York stallions are among the leading national earners and their offspring are highly sought after by breeders.
The breeding and racing of standardbreds in the state are interconnected, which generates the largest possible impact on the economy. Racing at the state’s seven pari-mutuel harness tracks generates capital investments, local jobs and state and local taxes, while the breeding industry drives yearling auctions in the state and agricultural benefits like the purchase of farm equipment and farm products and the preservation of working farmlands.
Through the New York Sire Stakes program, New York-bred horses race at all seven tracks and 19 state agricultural fairs. In 2024, the New York Sire Stakes program distributed $12.7 million in purses to New York-bred standardbreds*. Those purses are the catalyst for harness racing’s economic impact as the funds flow to breeders, trainers and training centers, agricultural farms and our local communities.
* Source: 2024 New York Sire Stakes Annual Report.
Faces of the Sport
-
Photo by Kristin Roberts
-
Photo by Jessica Hallett
-
Photo courtesy of Cameo Hills Farm
-
Photo by SSGT Shane Cuomo, USAF
-
Photo Courtesy of HarnessRacing.com
-
Photo by Jessica Hallett
-
Photo by Mark Hall (USTA)
-
Photo by Jessica Hallett
-
Photo by Jessica Hallett
-
Photo Courtesy of Lauren Tritton
-
Photo by Jessica Hallett
-
Photo by Sean Hamrock
-
Photo courtesy of Betty Holt
-
Photo courtesy of Blue Chip Farms
-
Photo by Derick Giwner
-
Photo courtesy of Noelle Duspiva
-
Photo courtesy of Scott DiDomenico
-
Photo by Jessica Hallett
-
Photo Courtesy of Chris Tully
-
Photo by Jessica Hallett
-
Photo courtesy of Blue Chip Farms
-
Photo Courtesy of Mike Lizzi
-
Photo courtesy of Yinson Quezada
-
Photo by Jessica Hallett
-
Photo by Derick Giwner
-
Photo courtesy of Jarett Kelley
-
Photo Courtesy of SOANY
Experience the Sport
New York’s harness racing industry is recognized globally for its outstanding quality, world-class competition and record-setting success.
There are many ways to get involved! You can watch upcoming harness races online via simulcast or on TV, or come see the races live and in person at one of our seven premier racetracks across New York State:
Batavia Downs, Buffalo Raceway, Monticello Raceway, Saratoga Casino Hotel, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs and Yonkers Raceway.
Sign Up for Updates!
The harness racing industry has ignited an economic engine benefitting all New Yorkers. Sign up to be part of the New Yorkers for Harness Racing community.
