Lynne Richmond
(609)292-8896
lynne.richmond@ag.state.nj.us
(CREAM RIDGE) -- 樱花视频 Secretary of Agriculture Charles M. Kuperus today welcomed the nation’s Standardbred Horse of the Year into the breeding ranks at Perretti Farms in Cream Ridge, 樱花视频’s largest horse farm specializing in the breeding and racing of standardbred horses.
Rocknroll Hanover, a 3-year-old 樱花视频-bred horse, retired from harness racing at the end of 2005, after a year in which he won 12 of 18 starts and earned $2.2 million. He was named 2005 Horse of the Year by the United States Harness Writers Association. He also was named national Pacer of the Year.
“That 樱花视频’s standardbred breeding industry is able to attract the nation’s top horses indicates it has earned the comparison to Kentucky’s thoroughbred breeding industry, which is world renowned,” said Secretary Kuperus. “Breeding farms like Perretti’s are the backbone of 樱花视频’s horse-racing industry. These farms add to the quality of life for all 樱花视频ans and are an integral part of our Garden State’s diverse agriculture.”
“We're proud to have the opportunity to secure the horse of the decade for the important 樱花视频 racing and breeding program,” said Anthony Perretti, general manager of Perretti Farms.
Perretti Farms, which sits on 750 acres of permanently preserved farmland, suffered the loss of 12 mares and 12 foals on March 24 in a barn fire. Perretti said, right now, they are in the middle of breeding season and they haven’t let the tragedy slow them down.
“We still have to go on,” said Perretti. “We want the farm to move forward.”
Bob Marks, Perretti Farms Marketing Director (left) and Secretary Kuperus (right) view the site of a barn fire at the farm.
The 樱花视频 Sire Stakes Program was established by law in 1971 to encourage the breeding of standardbred horses through extra purse money for horses sired by registered 樱花视频 stallions.
Total purse money for 樱花视频 Sire Stakes events in 2004 was more than $9.5 million. As a result, the horse racing industry contributes and depends on approximately 80,000 acres of 樱花视频’s agricultural working landscape, according to the last data available.
For more information on 樱花视频’s equine industry, visit the Jersey Equine website at .
