Courtesy NYRA
A coalition comprised of small businesses, unions, nonprofits, and trade organizations have launched We Are NY Horse Racing, a coalition designed to educate New Yorkers regarding the importance of the sport of horse racing to the New York economy.
From downstate labor unions to upstate local restaurants and hotels, We Are NY Horse Racing has garnered statewide support.
The horse racing economy includes farmers, trainers, horse breeders, horse owners, racetrack employees, dozens of labor unions that support racing operations, backstretch workers, veterinarians, and racing officials as well as seasonal and part-time jobs directly tied to big events such as the Belmont Stakes or the annual summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course.
Officials said that as a driver of tourism both downstate and throughout upstate New York, horse racing is a big business for the hospitality sector at a time when hotels, bars and restaurants continue to face uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The recently concluded 2021 summer meet in Saratoga saw an average daily attendance of more than 26,000.
According to a study published by the American Horse Council in 2018, horse racing in New York state is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual economic impact. In addition, the broader equine industry is New York’s second-largest agribusiness, generating good-paying jobs in every county and corner of the State. The sport of horse racing drives an industry that sustains hundreds of small businesses on and around the 11 racetracks currently in operation in New York.
Officials said We Are NY Horse Racing will engage in a number of activities moving forward, including events, paid media and other efforts directly related to educating and informing New Yorkers about the importance of horse racing to the New York economy.
To learn more about the coalition, please www.nyhorseracing.com
Founding members of the We Are NY Horse Racing Coalition include the New York State Laborers’ Organizing Fund, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Long Island Contractors Association, New York Farm Bureau, Saratoga Casino and Hotel, NY Racetrack Chaplaincy, District Council 9, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, DZ Restaurants of Saratoga, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties, AFL-CIO, NYRA, New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. (NYTB), Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA)
Discover Saratoga
New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), Gateway Youth Outreach, Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association, Standardbred Owners Association, Inc., Capital Off-Track Betting, Backstretch Employees Service Team (B.E.S.T), Harness Horse Association of Central New York, Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association, Monticello Harness Horsemen’s Association, Empire State Harness Horsemen’s Alliance and Catskill Off-Track Betting.
“Saratoga Race Course is an economic engine for upstate New York and a source of great pride for our communities,” said Todd Shimkus, President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “Our member businesses recognize the sport’s direct impact to the local economy, which is why we will take every opportunity to emphasize horse racing’s importance to Saratoga County and New York.”
“The Horse Racing Industry is so instrumental to my restaurants across Saratoga. Without it, I’m not sure how local businesses like mine would survive,” said Nancy Bambara, vice president and COO of DZ Restaurants which owns and operates Chianti Il Ristorante, Forno Bistro and Boca Bistro in Saratoga Springs. “I am very happy to be joining We Are NY Horse Racing and its initiatives, especially as the restaurant industry recovers from the pandemic and we look towards the recovery of our local economy.”
“Our membership is well aware of the hard work and dedication required to support a successful racing industry in New York,” said Najja Thompson, executive director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “New York’s horse breeders and farm owners have propelled the sport forward in recent years, and we look forward to contributing our collective voice to this important effort.”