Industry uncertainty affects N.J. horse sales
Slot legislation in surrounding states looms over Jersey-bred equines
BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer

UPPER FREEHOLD - Can Jerseybred racehorses remain competitive with those foaled in slots-enriched neighboring states?

The New Jersey Classic Sale, held at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Upper Freehold on Sept. 9, had horse sales totaling over $2.2 million, with the average yearling sale price amounting to $9,856, according to Garden State Horse Sales Co., which conducted the auction. A total of 227 horses sired in New Jersey and surrounding states went through the sale.

When asked

When asked whether he thought the sale reflects the state of the New Jersey breeding industry, Bob Marks, marketing director of Perretti Farms in Cream Ridge, said, "It is hard to be exact about this sort of thing."

He continued, "We had about the same number of horses and were down a bit over last year. The sale itself had fewer horses."

Marks noted that while there was a fairly large crowd early on in the sale, extreme heat and humidity made the atmosphere uncomfortable and thinned out the attendees about midway through the day.

While Marks said it is hard to read too much into how the sale reflects New Jersey's horse industry, he said it is safe to say that Pennsylvania- and New Yorkbred horses are accorded more respect, given the acknowledged "racino infusion."

Legislation permitting video lottery terminals, or slots, has passed in all three states surrounding New Jersey, but not in the Garden State.

"The uncertainty of the New Jersey situation hangs there like a lingering cloud," Marks said.

Marks said buyers need some assurance that the hoses they're purchasing will race in atmospheres competitive with neighboring states.

Mark Mullen, who manages his family's Fair Winds Farm in Upper Freehold, said the farm sold 14 yearlings at the sale, with a consignment average of $9,500.

"Generally, this sale is for pedigrees and individual horses that don't possess the most desirable qualities," Mullen said. "Having said that, many horses have been sold at this venue that have gone on to become top performers."

He said that Jersey-breds were the least-sought-after horses at the sale but noted that there was some interest in yearlings sired by McArdle and Artiscape, which are considered very creditable New Jersey sires.

"New York-sired yearlings remain the most popular because of the huge purses available in the New York Sire Stakes program," he said. "There is an expectation that the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes will offer better purses next year, and that resulted in increased demand for those yearlings."

Mullen said that "in yet another example of repressive economic planning by the state," yearling sales in New Jersey fall subject to 7 percent sales tax. Yearlings sold in Pennsylvania or New York are not subject to sales tax, he said.

"The New Jersey tax structure for New Jersey farmers and horse breeders creates a very negative business environment for agriculture," he said. "We see the results in the state as more people seek to conduct their activities in New York and Pennsylvania and more and more New Jersey farms become developed."

Tom Luchento, president of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ), said that breeding and conformation are the two most important factors at a yearling sale.

"This sale demonstrated once again that New Jerseybred yearlings with good breeding lines and excellent conformation are still valuable," he said.

According to Luchento, New Jersey sired horses were among six of the top 10 sellers, including the sale topper, a $90,000 filly sired by the pacing stallion McArdle, who stood at Perretti Farms in Upper Freehold.

Despite the high prices New Jerseybred horses netted at the sale, Luchento said, "The state of the horse racing industry in New Jersey is still in jeopardy and cannot continue to be among the leaders in the nation and, in reality, survive without significant funding for racetrack purses and breeding programs."

Leo McNamara, executive administrator of the SBOANJ, considered the sale "solid."

"The market for a good yearling was solid," he said. "I'm not sure how the average would compare, but Hanover [Shoe Farms], the major consignor, sold some of their stock at a new sale in Harrisburg two weeks ago."

McNamara said that for the most part, horses offered in the New Jersey Classic Sale are those the Harrisburg and Lexington select sales do not accept.

"Their value in the sale ring is adjusted accordingly," he said. "I do feel people are paying a premium for horses bred in Pennsylvania or New York, as their programs are worth a lot more than New Jersey."

Township resident Jacquie Ingrassia, the only female harness driver to win a Triple Crown race, which she accomplished with Goalfish in the 2000 Yonkers Trot, bought a Jersey-bred yearling filly sired by Dream Vacation at the sale.

"I thought we stole her at $9,500, as she has a full sister with a 3-year-old record this year of 1.54," Ingrassia said. "To me, this is indicative of the downward spiral of Jersey-breds. What a crying shame. We have the absolute best racing and breeding here in New Jersey, only to be undermined by neighboring states with the luxury of slot money."

Ingrassia added, "Wake up, New Jersey. Our racing industry, not to mention hundreds of other ancillary jobs, is at risk. We desperately need relief now."