Whether you are looking to take advantage of the $10,000 fee for Mixto or the proven value of Galilean at $3,500, the Hidden Lake team is here to guide your mating decisions.
The New York Advantage: Breeding for the Future at Hidden Lake Farm
The landscape of American racing is undergoing a seismic shift, and the epicenter is right here in the Empire State. With the revitalization of Belmont Park and the move toward purse parity, the New York-bred program is no longer just a regional powerhouse—it is a national destination for elite athletes. At Hidden Lake Farm, we provide the bridge between world-class sire lines and the lucrative incentives only New York can offer.
Financial Incentives & Elite Purses
Breeding in New York is a sound business decision backed by the most robust incentive program in North America.
- Breeder Awards: Earn significant percentages of purse money for first, second, and third-place finishes in any race in New York.
- Restricted Stakes Power: Access a multi-million dollar stakes schedule exclusively for New York-breds, including the prestigious New York Stallion Stakes Series, for which our entire roster is nominated.
- Closing the Gap: New York-breds are increasingly competing for—and winning—open Grade 1 company, all while qualifying for supplemental state-bred earnings.
Why it Pays to Breed in NY
When you breed to a registered New York stallion at Hidden Lake, you are doubling your earning potential through the "New York-Sired" bonus tier.
| Finish Position | NY-Sired Award (% of Purse) | Non-NY Sired Award (% of Purse) |
|---|---|---|
| First Place | 40% | 20% |
| Second Place | 20% | 10% |
| Third Place | 10% | 5% |
| Award Cap | $40,000 per race | $20,000 per race |
The New York Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund offers a "Virtual ATM" for breeders who produce a quality athlete.
The Reality of the Dream: IF your NY-Sired 2-year-old wins a $100,000 Open Maiden Special Weight at Saratoga, the winner's share of the purse is roughly $55,000. As the breeder, you receive a separate check for $22,000 (40% of the earnings).
That single check can cover your entire stud fee and a year of boarding before the horse even enters its sophomore season.
2026: The Year of Purse Parity
Starting January 1, 2026, the game changes. All New York-bred overnight races for 2-year-olds will offer purses equal to their open-company counterparts.
15% Increase: This initiative is expected to raise state-bred overnight purses by double digits over 2024 levels.The New Belmont: By the time your 2026 foal is ready to run, they will be competing at a world-class, multi-surface Belmont Park with purses that rival or exceed any track in the world.
How to Qualify for the Maximum Award
Progeny of stallions standing here, at Hidden Lake Farm unlock a vastly superior tier of financial rewards.
| Requirement | Resident Mare | Non-Resident Mare |
|---|---|---|
| Foal in New York | Yes | Yes |
| Sired by NY Stallion | Yes (Required for 40%) | Yes (Required for 40%) |
| NY Residency | From 120 days post-cover | 90 continuous days |
| Breed-Back Required? | No | Yes (to a NY Sire) |
The math is simple: by foaling in New York and choosing a Hidden Lake stallion, you aren't just breeding a runner; you are securing a 40% stake in that horse's future success through the most aggressive incentive program in the country.
Hidden Lake NY-Sired Advantage: To truly appreciate the "New York Advantage," one must understand that not all New York-breds are created equal in the eyes of the ledger. While any registered New York-bred is a valuable commodity, those categorized as "New York-Sired"—the progeny of stallions standing right here at Hidden Lake—unlock a vastly superior tier of financial rewards.
A "New York-Sired" New York-bred is a horse that is both a registered New York-bred and was sired by a registered New York stallion. These athletes qualify for the maximum 40% Breeder Awards, effectively doubling the passive income for the breeder compared to a foal by an out-of-state sire.
How to Qualify for the Maximum 40% Award
To ensure your foal is a registered New York-bred eligible for these top-tier incentives, your mare must meet specific residency and breeding requirements:
1. The Resident Mare (The 120-Day Rule)
A resident mare is one that lives in New York for much of the year. To maintain this status:
- She must be in residence in New York State within 120 days of her last cover in the year of conception.
- She must remain in the state continuously until foaling the following year.
- The Advantage: There is no breed-back requirement for resident mares. You have total flexibility in your next mating.
2. The Non-Resident Mare (The 90-Day Rule)
If your mare is based out of state (e.g., Kentucky or Maryland), she can still produce a qualifying foal by following these steps:
- She must foal in New York State.
- She must remain in New York for a continuous period of 90 days (including time before and after foaling).
- The Key Requirement: She must be bred back to a registered New York-based stallion (like the roster at Hidden Lake) before leaving the state.
3. The "Public Auction" Advantage
Mares purchased at public auction for $50,000 or more can be fast-tracked to "Resident Mare" status if they are brought to New York within 15 days of the sale and foal in the state. This allows you to immediately capitalize on the state program with a high-value acquisition.
Kentucky Power, New York Born
We have curated a roster of stallions that brings the "Big Three" sire lines—Good Magic, Gun Runner, and Candy Ride (ARG) directly to the Saratoga region.
- World-Class Pedigrees: Stand your mare to a Grade 1 winner like Mixto (Good Magic’s leading money earner) or an elite five-time Grade 1-placed runner like Disarm (Gun Runner) without leaving the state.
- Classic Stamina & Precocity: From the immediate family of Zenyatta through Confidence Game, to the legendary Sam-Son lines of Galilean, we offer the physicals and pedigrees required to win at the highest levels.
- Saratoga's Mineral-Rich Sanctuary: Located in Stillwater, our farm utilizes the same legendary soil and water that has raised champions for over a century, providing the ideal environment for raising sound, mentally tough athletes.
Start Your New York Success Story
The New York Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund ensures that those who invest in the Empire State are rewarded. Whether you are looking to take advantage of the $10,000 fee for Mixto or the proven value of Galilean at $3,500, the Hidden Lake team is here to guide your mating decisions.
Ready to capitalize on the NY-Bred program? Contact Chris Bernhard to discuss your mares, schedule a farm inspection, or book a 2026 season.
Chris Bernhard
Cell: (914) 850-9769 Email: Chris@hiddenlakefarmny.com
Hidden Lake Farm Stallion Roster
GOOD MAGIC’s Leading Earner (G1, $3,330,680)
Leading First-Crop Sire standing in NY in 2025
GSW/G1PL Millionaire by GUN RUNNER
