Issue link: http://nytbreeders.epubxp.com/i/609330
6 New York Breeder | nytbreeders.org | December 2015 Beginning with this year's foals (current weanlings), ALL offspring of stallions nominat - ed to the NYSS are automatically eligible for all the races with NO nomination fee. This means that at year-end in 2015, when breeders typically would write checks to nominate eligible wean - lings to the NYSS, they can…well, they can do whatever else they need to do with their time and money. Nothing falls through the cracks because a breeder or buyer forgot to nominate a foal, and the benefts to the series as a whole down the road are incalculable due to increased partici - pation from a larger pool of nominated progeny. Breeders should note, however, that the new dispensation begins only with foals of 2015. In other words, yearlings of 2015 (2014 foals or Se - ries 2016) who were not nominated last year still fall under the old system. A nomination fee of $1,000 is due by Dec. 31 for these yearlings to be eligible. If foals of 2014 are not nominated by the end of this year, the nomination fee for eligi - ble 2-year-olds jumps to $5,000, which is due by Sept. 1, 2016. Seven of the 10 2015 NYSS races, which carry combined purses of more than $1 million, have been contested so far. A snapshot of this year's results presents a good spread among nominat - ed sires. Boasting rights at this point go to Pos- se with three wins and two winners (Possessed, Times Square, and Spectacular Bid stakes; and Sheriffa, Staten Island Stakes) and Freud with two winners (Dreamboat Annie, Cupecoy's Joy Stakes; and Freudie Anne, Statue of Liberty Stakes). Also picking up winners were Sir Whim - sey, sire of Take Issue (Park Avenue Stakes) and Read the Footnotes, sire of Ex Ex Ex (Cab Callo - way Stakes). Last year we saw an even broader division of the NYSS spoils among New York-based sires: Disco Rico (two winners), Posse (two winners), Noonmark (repeat winner Mark My Way), Frost Giant, Raffe's Majesty, and Read the Footnotes. I expect that in coming years we will see an even greater diversity among the sires of the NYSS winners. The new system is more inclu - sive, the felds will be fuller, and the races more exciting. The NYSS series overall will be trans - formed. There is no reason for a stallion owner not to nominate to the NYSS. The deadline is mid-Feb - ruary and the fee remains at $2,500, or the stal- lion's advertised stud fee (whichever is higher). The earnings potential for the owner in stallion awards and increased value for their progeny is simply good business. So, happy holidays from all of us at NYTB and catch you in the New Year! JEFFREY A. CANNIZZO Executive Director A Holiday Gi for all New York Breeders, NYSS-Style New York Thoroughbred breeders, in partner- ship with the New York Stallion Stakes Series (NYSS), has a holi- day gift for breeders in 2015 that was long in the making. After an extended period of planning and coordination with the New York Racing Association, the long-time administrator of the NYSS, NYTB was able to announce in September 2013 that beginning in 2015 the series would embark on a new era. That time is now.