The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, and New York Racing Association (NYRA) have partnered with the TAKE2 Program to donate $20,000 in prize money for two Thoroughbred Classics.
The first $10,000 TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter Classic will be held on the morning of Friday, July 10, at the Saratoga Women in Business Spectacular, and the second on the morning of Friday, August 14, at the Saratoga Summer Horse Show. In addition to the prize money, the winners of the two Classics each will have one-day use of the NYTHA Box Seats at Saratoga during the 2026 meet (Saturdays excluded, as available).
Collectively, New York's racing and breeding stakeholders contribute about $1.8-million a year to ensure that Thoroughbreds have happy and healthy lives beyond the racetrack and to support second-career programs.
“Where better to highlight the success of retired racehorses in the show ring than Saratoga?” said NYTHA president Tina Marie Bond. “So many of these horses not only raced here, but were bred and raised here, and it is wonderful to see them enjoying a new chapter in their lives in the heart of our state's Thoroughbred country.”
“It is our honor and our duty to do all we can for our horses before, during, and after their racing careers.”
TAKE2 was launched by the late Rick Violette, then president of NYTHA, in 2012 to create more second-career opportunities for retired racehorses. The program, which has distributed more than $1 million in prize money and awards, was affiliated with just eight horses shows in three states in its first year. There are now more than 500 horse shows across the country offering TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper classes.
“Rick would be incredibly gratified to see members of the New York's Thoroughbred community coming together to support this program,” said NYTHA and TAKE2 executive director Andy Belfiore. “We don't always see eye to eye, but on Thoroughbred aftercare, we are in lockstep.”
For information about TAKE2, please go here.
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