Najja Thompson

Officials at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) have announced the return of its popular summer morning excursion reimagined as the Saratoga Breakfast and Thoroughbred Farm Tours, presented by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc (NYTB). The lineup turns the spotlight on Thoroughbred aftercare and also welcomes the program's first stallion operation. The 2026 series will begin on opening day of the summer meeting at Saratoga, Friday, July 3, and will continue weekly through the final Sunday of the season, Sept. 6. The weekly lineup features Old Friends at Cabin...

In the second installment of the TDN Business Hour, the conversation focused in on one of the most vital components of the racing economy in America today: the reliance on casino-funded purse subsidies. Host Najja Thompson, Executive Director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, explores these questions with Louis Cella, Damon Thayer and Bill Nader.

In the second installment of the TDN Business Hour, the conversation focused on one of the most vital components of the racing economy in America today: reliance on casino-funded purse subsidies. While states like Kentucky and Arkansas have seen a revitalization fueled by gaming revenue, other jurisdictions face an uphill battle. From the ongoing quest for subsidies in California to the defensive front against decoupling in Florida, the industry is at a crossroads. What are the long-term benefits of these subsidies? At what point does the sport become too reliant...

The TDN is proud to announce the launch of its latest podcast, TDN Business Hour. Hosted by Najja Thompson, Executive Director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, the show serves as a resource for owners, breeders and other industry stakeholders by examining the fiscal and operational complexities of the racing world. Each month, the podcast dives into a different economic issue or business trend affecting the industry's bottom line. In its debut episode, TDN Business Hour explores the international macroeconomic factors currently shaping the market, from the ripple effects of...

The TDN is proud to announce the launch of its latest podcast, TDN Business Hour. This month's episode explores the international macroeconomic factors currently shaping the market.

The Board of Directors of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) held its first meeting of 2026 on Thursday, Feb. 5 and unanimously elected Rockridge Stud's Lere Visagie, to serve as president through 2028, the organization said in a press release on Friday. Current NYTB Director Rick Burke, owner of Irish Hill Century Farm, was elected vice president. The Board also elected Jane McMahon, of McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, to serve as secretary-treasurer. Visagie, owner of Rockridge, has served as an NYTB Director since 2019 and succeeds Dr. Scott Ahlschwede,...

What will racing look like in 10 years? We asked some of racing's best and brightest to give us their predictions. Want to submit an answer? Email suefinley@thetdn.com NAJJA THOMPSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS, INC. By 2036, I envision a Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry that has emerged stronger and more sustainable after confronting--and resolving--many of the structural challenges we face today. While the continued retraction of operating racetracks is likely unavoidable over the next decade, the remaining venues will be more strategically aligned with year-round...

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. will host its annual general membership meeting and educational seminar Sunday at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs. This year's seminar, titled "Keeping or Selling? Mapping Your Breeding Goals," will focus on how breeders and owners can forecast and manage their breeding strategies, while balancing market demands and long-term objectives for breeding and racing. Sponsored by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund, the seminar will feature Becky Thomas, owner of Sequel New York and Sequel at Winding Oaks in Ocala;...

The Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm program, which previously ran Wednesdays through Saturdays, will now operate Thursdays to Sundays during the 2025 Saratoga season to better accommodate family schedules, NYRA announced Tuesday. This year's Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tours, presented by New York Thoroughbred Breeders, will feature three area farms: Old Tavern Farm, Sugar Plum Farm and Song Hill Thoroughbreds. The tours will be available every Thursday through Sunday during the 2025 Saratoga summer meet, beginning with Opening Day, Thursday, July 10, and continuing through Sunday, August 31. The...

Beginning in January 2027, the prize money on offer for all New York-bred overnight races on the New York Racing Association (NYRA) circuit will equal that which is available to their open-company counterparts, officials at NYRA said on Monday. As was announced in 2023, beginning in January 2026, all New York-bred overnight races for 2-year-olds will offer equal purse money. In 2024, NYRA staged 548 races restricted to New York-breds for total purses of $42,817,000, and the new program is expected to raise New York-bred overnight purses by 15% versus...

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB) will hold its annual stallion season auction from Friday, Jan. 3 through Tuesday, Jan. 7. The event will be hosted online at Thoroughlybred.com. The auction has routinely attracted donated seasons from farms in the Empire State and Kentucky, including McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, Sequel New York, Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions, Rockridge Stud, Spendthrift Farm, Darley America, Darby Dan Farm and additional farms. The annual auction raises funds that allow the NYTB to carry on its two-fold mission of promoting New York breeding...

The ninth installment in the 2024 OwnerView webinar series was held on Nov. 5 and discussion covered the various ways state incentive programs approach supporting the equine industry, especially when it comes to a declining foal crop, according to a Friday Jockey Club press release. The panel consisted of Cricket Goodall, executive director of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association Inc., the Maryland Million Ltd., and the Maryland Horse Foundation; Roger Heitzmann, secretary and executive director of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association; Steve Koch, the associate vice president of operations for...