The New York Racing Association has announced plans for the first-ever Breakfast and Breeding Farm tour package at Saratoga Race Course.
The tour, presented by the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), will be offered every Friday, beginning July 15, and will accommodate up to 40 guests.
The all-inclusive fan experience package features: a buffet breakfast at Saratoga Race Course; an opportunity to watch thoroughbreds during their morning training; a round-trip, open-air trolley ride from Saratoga Race Course to Old Tavern Farm; a 90-minute guided walking tour of an active thoroughbred breeding farm; and admission to Saratoga Race Course for the day.
The package is available for $55 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for each weekly Friday tour. Tickets may be purchased at NYRA.com.
“The inaugural Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm package is an exciting behind-the-scenes opportunity for visitors to Saratoga to experience a different aspect of the sport,” said NYRA Vice President of Communications Pat McKenna. “To be able to combine morning training with a visit to a breeding farm followed by an afternoon at the races is a trifecta fans won’t want to miss.”
The package begins with the buffet breakfast at Saratoga Race Course between 7-9:30 a.m. Guests can arrive at any time for breakfast during these hours. Following breakfast, fans will board the trolley, courtesy of CDTA, at the clubhouse entrance and embark on a 15-minute ride along picturesque Saratoga Lake to Old Tavern Farm for a 90-minute experiential and educational walking tour of one of the region’s premier breeding farms.
Fans will arrive back at Saratoga Race Course at approximately 11:45 a.m., well in advance of post time for the start of racing at 1 p.m.
Established in 2016 by Walt and Michelle Borisenok, Old Tavern Farm is a private boutique thoroughbred-breeding operation in Saratoga Springs located just minutes from Saratoga Race Course.
“We are honored to be part of this exciting new initiative in partnership with NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Breeders and CDTA,” said Old Tavern Farm founder and owner Walt Borisenok. “We hope those who take advantage of this opportunity may become lifelong fans of the sport while others may gain a greater appreciation for how thoroughbred racing supports our local economy.”
“The Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tour is a fantastic new addition to the Saratoga experience highlighting the importance of the New York state breeding industry,” said Najja Thompson, executive director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders.
In the Capital Region alone, Saratoga Race Course is responsible for an economic impact of nearly $240 million and supports the employment of more than 2,000 full-, part-time and seasonal workers, according to the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency.
Additionally, findings from a joint study by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association say that the equine industry is active in each of the state’s 62 counties and is responsible for the preservation of as much as 1.3 million acres of greenspace.
“We are proud to expand our partnership with NYRA to include this new offering alongside Old Tavern Farm for the 2022 racing season,” said CDTA’s Director of Business Development Jonathan Scherzer. “This new experience will connect fans and visitors to the historic Saratoga Race Course and the rich history of horse racing in a new way. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone on board our iconic trolley for a new Summer in Saratoga experience.”
For more information about Saratoga Race Course visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.