The New York Racing Association (NYRA) today announced the return of its popular summer morning excursion, reimagined for 2026 as the Saratoga Breakfast and Thoroughbred Farm Tours, presented by New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB), with a refreshed lineup that spotlights aftercare and welcomes the program's first stallion operation.
This year's series introduces two new participating farms, including a leading aftercare organization and a stallion farm, and welcomes back two longtime favorites. The 2026 series will get underway on Opening Day of the Saratoga summer meet, Friday, July 3, and continue weekly through the final Sunday of the season, September 6. Tours are offered every Thursday through Sunday during the summer meet except for Saturday, July 4, and Saturday, August 29 (DraftKings Travers Day).
This year's new look weekly lineup features Old Friends at Cabin Creek on Thursdays, marking the program's first dedicated aftercare partner; Old Tavern Farm on Fridays; Sugar Plum Farm on Saturdays; and Ironhorse Stallions on Sundays, introducing the tour's first stallion operation.
The Saratoga Breakfast and Thoroughbred Farm Tour experience includes a buffet-style breakfast at Saratoga Race Course available from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. against the backdrop of morning training on the main track. Fans then board a CDTA trolley at 9:15 a.m. for a scenic round-trip ride to that day's featured farm, where they will enjoy a 60- to 90-minute guided tour, before returning to Saratoga for an afternoon of live racing. Each tour accommodates up to 52 guests. A portion of proceeds from each ticket sold will be earmarked to support the NYTB scholarship fund. Breakfast at Saratoga is presented by CDTA.
Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at NYRA.com.
"The Saratoga Breakfast and Thoroughbred Farm tours have become a popular summer experience for racing fans and families alike," said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB). "The tours offer an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at every stage in the development and aftercare of a Thoroughbred racehorse. NYTB is proud to partner with NYRA and CDTA to showcase the strength, tradition, and economic impact of New York breeding and racing throughout the Capital Region."
Formerly known as the Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm program, the newly renamed Saratoga Breakfast and Thoroughbred Farm Tours reflect an expanded focus on the full life cycle of the Thoroughbred, from breeding and stallions to retirement and aftercare.
A major addition for 2026 is Old Friends at Cabin Creek, an industry renowned aftercare facility that provides a lifetime sanctuary for retired racehorses. Nestled in the countryside of Greenfield Center, fans will enjoy a picturesque ride each Thursday and an intimate look at equine retirement. Guests will have the opportunity to meet several of the farm's beloved and accomplished residents, such as 2018 New York-bred Horse of the Year Diversify, whose resume includes graded stakes wins in the 2018 Whitney and Suburban and 2017 Jockey Club Gold Cup. Fans will also get to see 2007 New York Horse of the Year Naughty New Yorker; 2011 Preakness Stakes participant King Congie; and 2006 Gotham Stakes winner Like Now, all while learning about the importance of aftercare and the industry's commitment to equine welfare.
Sundays feature Ironhorse Stallions, marking the tour program's first dedicated stallion farm and providing fans with access to one of New York's most compelling sires, Bucchero. A dual graded stakes-winning sprinter, Bucchero made 31 career starts and has since developed into a leading sire, whose offspring include Book'em Danno, winner of the 2025 Eclipse Award for Champion Male Sprinter. Now standing in New York after five seasons in Florida, Bucchero enters this next phase of his stallion career as a cornerstone of Ironhorse Stallions.
Located in nearby Schuylerville across from the scenic Hudson River, Ironhorse Stallions represents a full-circle moment for Bucchero, who was originally purchased and raced by the Ironhorse partnership. The stallion has quickly risen to prominence, finishing as the leading sire by earnings in New York in 2025. Known for his versatility, consistency, and ability to produce open-company runners, Bucchero was just recently named 2025 Sire of the Year on May 11 by the NYTB.
Visitors will have the rare opportunity to meet Bucchero while learning about modern stallion management, breeding strategy, and the expanding influence of New York's breeding program. The tour will also highlight ongoing improvements at the farm under its new ownership, offering a real-time look at the development of a contemporary stallion operation committed to supporting New York breeders.
Old Tavern Farm, the program's original tour host, offers a boutique breeding operation set on a hillside overlooking scenic Saratoga Lake. The farm is home to mares, yearlings, and weanlings, giving guests a comprehensive look at early-stage Thoroughbred development. Tours each Friday include access to the property's complementary ventures, including the Old Tavern Flower Farm, winery, and distillery, creating a well-rounded agritourism experience.
On Saturdays, Sugar Plum Farm will provide an engaging and family-friendly atmosphere while showcasing its breeding operation just minutes from Saratoga Race Course. New for 2026, the farm has introduced miniature horses, goats, donkeys, and other animals, broadening its appeal for younger visitors. In addition, Sugar Plum has established a 501(c)(3) foundation aimed at providing educational programming for underprivileged children in grades K-5, further enhancing its community impact while maintaining its connection to racing and breeding for adult fans.
Additional details about the 2026 Saratoga Breakfast and Thoroughbred Farm Tours, including a full schedule and ticket information, are available at NYRA.com.
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