HHBNY announces new Bruce Hamilton Memorial Medal

Harness Horse Breeders of New York State is proud to announce the creation of the Bruce Hamilton Memorial Medal, which will be presented annually in recognition of outstanding contributions to harness horse racing and improvement of the breeding of Standardbred horses in the State of New York. The three nominees for the 2007 inaugural award are Tom Grossman, David Hanson and Bruce Tubin.

Hamilton was the 18-year executive secretary of Harness Horse Breeders who ushered the New York Sire Stakes program through some of its most exciting and most challenging years. Hamilton was able to unite the racetracks, horsemen and breeders in pursuit of video lottery terminals at the tracks and was instrumental in the eventual passage of that law in 2001. He passed away in 2003 after a long illness.

“Bruce was a tireless promoter of the New York Sire Stakes and an advocate for New York’s breeders. There are few people that are so universally liked and as highly respected as Bruce,” explained executive director M. Kelly Young. “The Harness Horse Breeders board of directors searched for a fitting way to remember Bruce and felt this award would honor those who demonstrate the qualities he exemplified.”

Grossman is a New York City businessman who purchased Blue Chip Farms in 2001 and returned the historic Standardbred nursery to top international standing. His investment has brought syndicated stallions to New York who are now ranked nationally and are consistently producing NYSS and Grand Circuit champions. Through his efforts, the farm has obtained top flight broodmares that help improve the breed in the state. Grossman has also been active in lobbying the state for legislative action in the best interest of the New York breeding and racing industries. Advertising and marketing by his farm has helped to place New York-breds in the national spotlight.

Hanson is the Reproductive Manager at Morrisville State University and is responsible for managing the school’s stallions and broodmares. He is also responsible for preparing the breeding management students for work in the industry and they are highly sought-after by breeding and boarding farms long before their graduation. Hanson was also instrumental in developing the Morrisville Fall Yearling Sale into a viable and profitable sale for New York’s breeders and recently created the Summers End Equine yearling and mixed sale held at Tioga Downs. Hanson has also advised breeders in their pursuit of producing yearlings that are more desirable in the growing and changing market for New York-breds.

Tubin is the President of the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association and has been for 16 years. Tubin has worked as a legislative advocate for the racing industry and was part of the coalition that helped push through the VLT law in 2001. He is currently the Chairman of USTA District 8 (Upstate NY) and has worked on behalf of the horsemen and breeders in the state through the USTA and in cooperation with Harness Horse Breeders. Tubin also helped spearhead the new racing paddock project at Buffalo Raceway and has worked tirelessly to provide the horsemen in Western New York with secure pension and health insurance plans.

A committee of the Board of Directors placed these three nominees on a ballot that has been mailed out for vote by the general membership. The first winner of the Bruce Hamilton Memorial Medal will be announced on Sunday, Aug. 19, during Harness Horse Breeders’ Annual Membership Meeting at Tioga Downs. The award will be formally presented during the New York Sire Stakes Awards Banquet on Sunday, Oct. 14 in Saratoga Springs. (HHBNY)

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