Latham, NY --- Even though the New York Sire Stakes finals have just been completed, yearling buyers are already looking ahead to the fall yearling sales to select the next champion.

With a smaller class of pacing yearlings nominated to the New York Sire Stakes this year than in the recent past, buyers of these sidewheelers will have an even greater opportunity for their piece of the rich Sire Stakes purses the next two years.

A recent shuffle of pacing stallions in New York State has resulted in a smaller crop of yearlings this year with approximately 125 (27 percent) fewer pacing-bred youngsters nominated in 2014 than were in 2013. Purses, however, are still estimated to top $16 million next year for the entire program, with an equal amount of state funds split between both gaits. Nominations of trotting yearlings have remained relatively steady.

The first major offering of New York-bred yearlings will occur at the Morrisville College Yearling Sale on Sunday (Sept. 21) followed by the Lexington Selected Sale on Sept. 30–Oct. 4 and then Harrisburg Sale beginning Nov. 3.

Yearling buyers interested in learning more about the multi-tiered New York Sire Stakes program can contact Harness Horse Breeders of New York State at 518.785.5858, e-mail info@hhbnys.org or visit the New York Sire Stakes website at www.nysirestakes.com.