New York's Horse Health Assurance Program Adds the First Home of "Funny Cide" to List

State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers today announced the certification of McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, LLC of Saratoga Springs under the New York State Horse Health Assurance Program (NYSHHAP). NYSHHAP was introduced a year ago and signed into law by Governor Pataki this past August. It is a voluntary certification program that acknowledges exceptionally well-managed equine farms that meet defined program standards to proactively address health risks commonly associated with equine operations.

"For more than thirty years now, the McMahons have bred and raised beautiful, healthy, competitive thoroughbreds," the Commissioner said. "It is a testament to the program and encouraging to the entire thoroughbred industry to have operations such as the McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds participate in the State's newly codified Horse Health Assurance Program."

"The Horse Health Assurance Program will enable New York's horse owners to better manage their operations, further safeguarding our invaluable equine population and bring more New York-bred horses like Funny Cide across the finish line."

In an effort to respond to recent equine health issues such as Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome, Rockingham Fever and West Nile Virus, NYSHHAP was created as a flexible, on-farm approach to equine health risks that fits the needs of individual equine operations.

There are three core elements to NYSHHAP: risk identification, risk assessment and implementation of best management practices. Once issue areas are identified and assessed, best management practices are then applied to the farm to reduce the likelihood of disease introduction, minimize transmission within an operation and prevent the dissemination of the agent. After a farm has completed its assessment, the plan is reviewed by the owner and a state veterinarian to ensure proper implementation.

McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds is owned and operated by Joe and Anne McMahon and their family. Founded in 1971, the farm serves primarily as a boarding operation, specializing in both breeding and foaling. The McMahons have eight stallions on the premise and have between 150 and 200 horses boarded at any given time.

Last year, McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds was ranked 30th in North American Stud Farms by the Thoroughbred Times based on their earnings and percentage of stakes winners. In the Northeast, the farm ranks third for total earnings, eighth for average earnings per starter and for percentage of stakes horses, and fifth for percentage of graded stakes horses.

The McMahons are most famous for the foaling and rearing of Funny Cide, the 2003 winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. In addition to Funny Cide, the McMahons have also foaled and raised five 2003 stakes winners and five winners from the 2003 season at Saratoga.

Upon certification of the program, the McMahons received a metal New York State Horse Health Assurance Program Member barn sign and a certificate of recognition for their exceptional commitment to horse health management. In addition to the program's Standards and Certification Manual, the farm also received a "biosecurity sign" and medical waste container, which are both required as part of the program, and a notebook of articles addressing various management practices.

NYSHHAP is open to any equine operation in the state, from boarding and training facilities to breeding facilities. For more information on NYSHHAP, visit the Department' web site at http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/horsehealth.html.

New York State has a significant equine population. The State currently has nearly 170,000 horses, 18 percent or 30,500 are thoroughbreds. The value of all horses in New York State is estimated at $1.7 billion. The equine industry as a whole, including land, fences, barns, equipment, feed and tack, was valued at $6.15 billion in 2000.