Regional Reach, presented by Fasig-Tipton: “New York Is Backing Racing”

When Kristen and Matt Esler decided to get involved in the Thoroughbred business, for them, basing their operation in New York was a non-negotiable. Almost 10 years ago, they found a property in Saratoga less than five miles from the racetrack and signed the paperwork on their thirtieth wedding anniversary.

“It was my husband's dream to start a horse farm in Saratoga,” said Kristen Esler. “We had businesses at the track for many years. We love New York. We love Saratoga. He found this piece of property and we both fell in love.”

Since then, Thirty Year Farm has doubled in size and is still growing, with construction on a new training, sales prep and rehoming division underway this summer. The Eslers are focused on building a business that is sustainable, and by taking advantage of what the New York breeding program has to offer, they are working to create something that their children and grandchildren can enjoy one day.

Thirty Year Farm was represented by its first Grade I horse last year with Usha (Tiz the Law), who they sold at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Sale. The winner of the 2025 GI La Brea Stakes was third in last week's Johnstone Stakes at Saratoga. Other New York-bred stakes horses representing the farm's breeding program include this year's Suzie O'Cain Stakes winner Cosmic Candy Girl (Twirling Candy), as well as Brocknardini (Palace Malice) and Charlotte's Heart (Authentic).

As owners, the Eslers have celebrated success with New York-bred sales purchases including Mommy's Turn (Mendelssohn), a filly they co-own with Team Hanley who won last year's Suzie O'Cain Stakes, and Material Girl (Central Banker), who they raced with the same partnership and was second in a New York Stallion Series Stakes in 2024.

“We've learned to understand how the New York-bred program really feeds back into so many aspects of this business for us,” Esler explained. “It's not just the great purses in New York, but the breeder awards, owner awards and stallion awards. When those checks come in on a quarterly basis, it's like a Christmas present. They really make a difference. We have continued to expand into more of that program by breeding mares to New York sires and keeping our own homebreds to race here.”

Najja Thompson, the Executive Director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, said breeding in the state has seen steady growth since he came on in 2020. The NYS Breeding Fund registrar reported 1,102 foals through June 1, representing a 2%  increase compared to 2025 and marking the third consecutive annual increase in New York.

“It's a credit to our breeders, as well as our partnerships with NYRA, the New York Breeding Fund, NYTHA and Finger Lakes, that our foal crop has increased every year,” he said.  “We've developed a program that is all-encompassing and beneficial for all participants. We've seen the rise in purse money, incentives and awards, and a strong breeding program that supports participation. We have over $60 million that is distributed annually to breeders and owners of New York-breds.”

Thompson said one of the biggest advantages for breeders is the structured awards. Progeny sired by a New York-based stallion receive twice as much in awards as progeny of stallions based outside the state. Last year, over $12 million was distributed in breeders awards.

For owners, as of this year New York-bred overnight races for 2-year-olds match purse money for open company horses. Starting in 2027, the prize money available for all New York-bred overnight races on the NYRA circuit will match their open-company counterparts. In addition, a $5,000 bonus is awarded each time a New York-sired, New York-bred wins at the maiden special weight or allowance levels at NYRA tracks.

New York-breds collected over $89 million in earnings worldwide in 2025 | Sarah Andrew

“When I'm out talking to breeders and owners of New York-breds, everybody sees this as the opportune time to participate in our program,” Thompson said. “Some people may identify New York as a regional market. I think we're more than that. New York-breds are winning and competing on all levels. Our horses are winning Grade I races and winning in open company racing. So whether you're going to consider New York a regional or a national program, we certainly picture ourselves as top-tier competition.”

In 2025, New York-breds collected over $89 million in earnings worldwide. Among eight graded stakes winners, Usha, Rhetorical (Not This Time), Iron Orchard (Authentic) and Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro) earned Grade I scores.

At Thirty Year Farm, Esler noted how racing and breeding in New York has benefitted their operation beyond the purses and incentives.

“Running in New York-bred races helps with things like horses being able to win earlier against their own competition and with getting some blacktype, which increases resale value and helps those families grow,” she said. “There is also so much support around us, with Rood and Riddle, some other hospitals in New York if we really need them and the Cornell Cooperative, which will test our soil yearly for us. New York has invested in agriculture and there are some tax savings available.”

Primarily a commercial breeding operation, Thirty Year Farm has made the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Sale one of the anchors of their sales calendar. Last year, they sold one of the top five highest-priced yearlings of the auction when a Street Sense filly out of Evening Primrose (Ire) (Galileo) sold for $400,000.

Kristen and Matt Esler at Thirty Year Farm | Ashley Nizolek

“She brought numbers that I was really thrilled with and didn't necessarily expect,” said Esler. “At the New York-Bred Sale, they just seem to keeping stepping it up. There are pros and cons of selling in your own backyard. The nervousness that comes with it can create sleepless nights for me, but it's Saratoga. It's our home. We don't have to ship the horses off. We love selling them in our backyard.”

At the upcoming New York-Bred Sale, which takes place Aug. 16 and 17, Thirty Year Farm will offer four yearlings: a Flightline half-brother to graded stakes winners Cugino (Twirling Candy) and Battle of Normandy (City of Light), an Oscar Performance half-sister to Grade II winner Ete Indien (Summer Front), an Arabian Lion filly out of stakes winner Heavenly Score (Even the Score) and a filly from the family of Usha by Americanrevolution, who stands in New York at Rockridge Stud and is represented by his first crop of yearlings this year.

Esler said they have placed an emphasis on sending mares to stallions based in their home state, taking advantage of the additional awards for horses by New York-based stallions.

As Esler sees it, Thirty Year Farm's future is firmly rooted in New York

“New York is obviously invested,” she said. “They're building the new Belmont and it's going to be gorgeous. I can't wait to see it. I feel like we're in the right place because I think that New York really is backing racing.”