NYRA purses are the prize money paid to racehorse owners for race performance at Saratoga, Belmont Park, and Aqueduct Racetrack — the most lucrative racing circuit in North America.

NYRA purses are funded by:

• Pari-mutuel wagering revenue
• Casino / VLT revenue at Aqueduct
• New York State breeding incentive programs

This funding model allows NYRA to offer consistently high purses at every class level.

Most NYRA races distribute purse money as:

1. 1st – 55%
2. 2nd – 20%
3. 3rd – 12%
4. 4th – 6%
5. 5th – 4%

Others share the remainder. This creates earning opportunities even without winning.

Racehorse ownership generates returns through:

• Purse earnings
• Asset value growth
• NY-bred bonuses
• Resale and claiming liquidity

Ownership combines cash flow + asset appreciation.

• Claiming ladder increases asset value
• Allowance & stakes earnings produce profit
• NY-bred bonuses add cash to every start
• Successful horses increase resale value

Typical NYRA monthly ownership costs range from:

Total Monthly Range: $3,500 – $6,500 per horse

Racehorse ownership can be profitable when structured correctly within a high-purse, high-liquidity circuit like NYRA.

Profit is generated through:

• Purse earnings
• New York-bred bonus programs
• Asset value appreciation
• Claiming and resale liquidity

NYRA provides one of the strongest ROI environments in North American racing.

• Higher average purses
• Faster claiming ladder growth
• Built-in resale markets
• Exclusive NY-bred bonus programs

On the NYRA circuit, asset value can rise rapidly:

Equity growth can occur within weeks, not years.

Owners can exit by:

• Claiming races
• Private sale
• Partnership buyouts
• Auction placement

NYRA exposure significantly increases resale demand and price.

After purse money is earned:

• Trainer: 10%
• Jockey: 10%
• Owner retains ~80%
• NY-bred bonuses paid directly to owners

This creates strong owner-first economics.

New York-bred ownership delivers one of the strongest ROI profiles in U.S. racing.

NY-breds earn more for the same performance.

Saratoga is the richest racing meet in North America.

• Highest concentration of high-purse races
• Elite buyer demand increases resale value
• Heavy NY-bred program density
• National and international exposure

Claiming races function as a real-time stock exchange for racehorses.

• Each claim level sets public market value
• Winning raises the horse’s resale value
• Claim ladder climbs rapidly on NYRA
• Equity growth can happen in weeks

A stakes race is a high-level race offering premium purses and prestige.

• No claiming
• High purse values
• Graded Stakes (GI–GIII) increase breeding value
• Multi-six-figure earnings per start

A graded stakes race is the highest classification of Thoroughbred racing, ranked by national committees based on competition strength, purse size, and prestige.

Grades include:

• Grade I (GI) – Championship-level races
• Grade II (GII) – Elite stakes
• Grade III (GIII) – Upper-tier stakes

Graded stakes dramatically increase both purse earnings and breeding value.

Yes — anyone can legally own a racehorse through:

• Individual ownership
• Partnerships
• Syndicates
• Fractional ownership programs

Syndicates allow investors to participate with lower capital and shared expenses.

No. Professional trainers, bloodstock advisors, and management teams handle:

• Training
• Veterinary care
• Race placement
• Compliance and logistics

Owners enjoy the experience while professionals manage operations.

A sound racehorse is one that maintains physical durability, structural balance, and consistent performance with minimal injury risk — allowing longer racing careers and higher ROI.

Injured horses receive professional veterinary care, rest, and rehabilitation. Minor issues often result in short layoffs, while serious injuries may redirect horses to breeding, resale, or second-career programs.

Racehorse insurance protects owners from loss due to mortality, major medical events, and theft. Policies preserve capital and reduce downside risk.

Retired horses may enter breeding programs, sport horse careers, resale, or placement with accredited aftercare programs — often retaining residual value.

Racehorses can be sold privately, through claiming races, partnerships, or auctions — providing built-in liquidity and exit strategies.

Owners can exit by resale, claim, syndicate buyouts, or breeding transfers — unlike traditional investments that require long lock-ups.

Purse earnings, bonuses, and resale premiums can generate recurring cash flow for ownership groups.

Ownership produces passive returns while professional teams manage operations.

Successful horses retain breeding or sport-horse resale value after racing.

NY-breds earn higher purses, bonuses, and resale premiums than open company horses.

A syndicate is a shared ownership structure allowing fractional participation and shared expenses.

Trainers and jockeys receive standard percentages of purse earnings (typically 10% each).

Most Thoroughbreds race between ages 2–6, with sound horses racing longer.

Owners receive official NYRA paddock and winner’s circle credentials for their horses.

Owners enjoy private barn visits, training mornings, and insider access to the sport.

Racehorse ownership offers powerful tax benefits when structured correctly.

• Horses are considered depreciable business assets
• Purchase price can often be depreciated
• Ongoing operating costs are deductible
• Income from purses is business income

This allows ownership to generate tax-advantaged returns.

Racehorse ownership is one of the most unique corporate entertainment platforms available.

• Entertain clients at Saratoga & Belmont
• Private paddock and winner’s circle access
• High-end hospitality and brand exposure
• Creates unforgettable relationship experiences

Wadhams Thoroughbred Racing selects horses based on:

• Soundness and durability
• NY-bred eligibility
• Pedigree strength
• Physical conformation
• Trainer and veterinary input

The NYRA circuit includes Saratoga, Belmont Park, and Aqueduct — the most prestigious racing venues in North America.

Most horses run 5–8 times per year depending on health and class.

Owners receive credentials to access pre-race paddock and saddling areas.

Owners enjoy private hospitality lounges reserved for NYRA participants.

Owners receive purse distributions, media exposure, winner’s circle photos, and lifetime bragging rights.

Racehorses are valued based on performance, claiming levels, pedigree, NY-bred eligibility, soundness, and resale demand on NYRA.

A maiden claiming race is for horses that have never won and are offered for sale at a set price.

The condition book lists all upcoming races, class conditions, and purses.

A breeze is a timed workout.

Racehorses train 5–6 days per week.

A workout tab shows published training times.

A claim slip is the form submitted to purchase a horse before a race.

Breeders receive cash awards when their NY-bred horses earn purses.

A walkover occurs when only one horse remains in a race.

The winner’s purse is the first-place share of the total purse.

A purse bonus is extra cash paid on top of base purse earnings.

A starter allowance is for horses that have started for a specific claiming level.

What does “exclusive access” include?

Exclusive access focuses on the ownership experience: barn mornings, training viewings, raceday experiences, and behind-the-scenes opportunities when available through track policies and credentials.

Can owners visit the barn and watch morning training?

Yes—barn and training access is often possible by coordination in advance. Availability depends on training schedules, facility rules, and the horse’s routine.

Do owners get paddock or winner’s circle access?

Opportunities may be available depending on the racetrack’s access policies and the number of partners involved. We coordinate logistics and set expectations for each race day.

How do updates work between races?

Owners typically receive trainer updates, video when available, and schedule guidance around entries, works, and race targets so you’re connected to the campaign.