Our Vision & About the Project
Bay State Park is a natural continuation of Gardner’s agricultural legacy. Our proposal is developed by horse and agricultural enthusiasts. It is strongly supported by the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association and the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. Bay State Park will be the location for thoroughbred breeding and off-track retirement programs, training, and racing facilities, while preserving open space for future generations. Additionally, we are collaborating with GAAMHA on equestrian training for clients and providing retired horses for therapeutic programs and partnering with Mount Wachusett Community College Pathway for Jobs around agricultural and veterinarian tech training.
Bay State park will be a year-round equestrian facility for all to learn about and enjoy farming and horses:
- Breeding program
- Training facilities
- Off-track retirement
- Agricultural and equestrian festivals
- Agricultural programs for local students
- Thoroughbred racing
- Therapy programs for individuals in recovery
- Hayfields and vegetable gardens, and livestock such as chickens and pigs
Equine Facility
- Thoroughbred breeding program
- Therapy programs for individuals
- Place for off-track thoroughbreds to live in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment
- Training facilities for thoroughbred owners and trainers
Breeding Program
- We will have a robust breeding program to increase the thoroughbred horse population.
- The cost associated raising a foal is at a minimum between $35-50,000.
- Not every thoroughbred horse will participate in racing. Other career options include eventing, dressage, jumping, polo, or on local farms for riding and therapeutic riding.
Retirement
- Incorporate a retirement facility for retired Massachusetts bred thoroughbred horses to start their second careers.
- Working with the New England HPBA, a percentage of all race purses will be dedicated towards thoroughbred aftercare and rescue.
Thoroughbred Festival Racing
- Competitive horse racing events supported by thoroughbred owners, breeders and trainers from Massachusetts and the surrounding regions.
- City receives state funding.
- Onsite wagering only at thoroughbred race meets at temporary kiosk. 93% of gaming occurs online off-site.
- Track eligible for state funding through the Race Horse Development Fund.
Supporting Local Agriculture
- Preserve and protect 1,200 horse and hay farms around Massachusetts.
- Collaborate with surrounding farms while supporting local breeders, horse owners, farriers and veterinarians to encourage economic activity and strengthen local agricultural economy.
- Every horse that races preserves a farm and requires a minimum of seven jobs.
- Revenues from racing assist in preserving the land, breeding thoroughbreds, and operating the race meet.
- Brings new local and statewide revenue to Gardner, providing new benefits for the city and agricultural community.
The equine industry and family farming contributes thousands of jobs in Massachusetts for breeding, racing, and sporting events, particularly in our most economically challenged rural communities.
“From 2012 to 2021, according to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), new foals born in Massachusetts dropped from 34 to just 2 in 2021.
The negative birth rates of thoroughbred foals were entirely borne by Massachusetts thoroughbred breeders and owners and that decline has contributed to the financial peril of Massachusetts breeding farms.
The Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeder’s Association supports the establishment of thoroughbred racing in Gardner because we understand that connection between racing and breeding and haying farms.”
Arlene Brown, Secretary
“Gardner is about preserving our rural economy, our farms and a way of life that will disappear forever if we don’t protect it and act now. Gardner Equestrian Center helps protect 1,200 horse farms around Massachusetts.
This project has wide support among horse owners, breeders, and enthusiasts as a catalyst to sustain and grow farms and horse operations across the Commonwealth.”
Anthony Spadea, Jr., President
