2026 Legislative Session PAC Drive
Bet on yourself and Give to our 2026 Legislative Session PAC Fundraising Campaign!There is power in numbers, so we are asking NYTHA members to help us create change in NY racing by contributing to our PAC Fund. Your commitment will help NYTHA President Tina Marie Bond deliver the message to the New York State Legislature that the needs of our horsemen and women are a priority.
NYTHA has over 5,000 members. Currently, only 5% of NYTHA’s membership contributes to the PAC. But, as you know, you must have a horse in the race to win. NYTHA PAC is working to raise $75,000 for the upcoming legislative session. If every member gives just $20, we will more than meet our goal for the year!
A contribution to NYTHA PAC is an investment in your industry. Together, we can do this.
Making Our Voices Heard In Albany
NYTHA represents the owners and trainers racing at the NYRA tracks, addressing issues of all sizes that impact New York’s horsemen and women. We make sure your voices are heard on topics such as racing regulations, protection of racing dates, equine safety and welfare, and sports betting.
NYTHA works in conjunction with the State Legislature, Executive Branch, NYSGC, NYRA, NYTB, local and national racing industry groups, and academic institutions to achieve our collective goals.
NYTHA PAC
The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Political Action Committee (NYTHA PAC) is the bipartisan voice of thousands of New York horsemen. NYTHA PAC supports New York State elected officials and candidates for office on both sides of the aisle who are friends of the racing industry. It is critically important that elected officials with a keen understanding of the issues facing the racing industry are in a position to represent our interests in elected office.
PAC funds are donated by NYTHA members to advocate on concerns big and small that impact New York’s horsemen. NYTHA PAC can only be effective with your financial support. In today’s political climate and with skyrocketing election campaign costs, it takes vast financial resources and the vocal participation of our members to exert an influence on the legislature.
The successes at recent state legislative sessions include:
- Getting a reduction in the parimutuel tax rate for the NYRA racetracks
- Rallying stakeholders and coalition members to Albany to ensure the success of the Belmont Park redevelopment project funding.
- Securing language in the Belmont Park redevelopment project that will allow for future race dates at the new facility to be agreed to in writing by NYRA, NYTHA, and NYTB, and approved by the NYSGC.
- Securing additional revenue sources for the purse account, and protection of the purse account
- Securing legal provisions in 2021 that established the New York Trainers Health Insurance Program (NYTHIP) for trainers who make at least 60 percent of their annual starts–and a minimum of 43-at NYRA tracks the previous year. NYTHIP assists with insurance coverage procurement, administration, and funding for those trainers deemed eligible free of charge.
- Horsemen and Breeders awarded a mandated contract with NYRA that protects winter racing dates.
- Safety Task Force established, bringing racetracks to the table with horsemen, jockeys and the Gaming Commission to set best practices for improving safety and protecting horses, jockeys and exercise riders.
- New York Jockey Injury Compensation Fund (NYJICF) legislation amended to provide the NYJICF with the ability to explore alternative forms of workers’ compensation coverage and expansion to cover all backstretch workers, with the goal of lowering prohibitive cost of workers’ comp insurance for New York horsemen.
- Horsemen and Breeders regained vote on the NYRA board.
Your financial assistance is crucial to push for our agenda this year, which includes:
- Protecting and Maximizing VLT Revenue: We must fight to protect Video Lottery Terminal (“VLT”) Revenue that is dedicated to Thoroughbred racing purse support.
- Other Critical Issues: Protection of racing dates and the purse account; addressing Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW); protection against decoupling; ensuring horsemen share in all gaming and sports betting revenue; racetrack operations; equine welfare; horse aftercare; and capital improvements.
