5:5-91. Establishment of sire stakes program

1. There is hereby established in the State of New Jersey a Sire Stakes Program for standardbred horses that are the product of a registered New Jersey stallion, registered with the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey as such and listed in their registry books.

Those horses eligible to race under said Sire Stakes Program shall be any foal of any registered New Jersey stallion standing at a New Jersey breeding farm and either owned by a resident of the State of New Jersey or leased by a resident thereof for a period of not less than 10 years to stand the full season on a New Jersey breeding farm. A copy of any such lease shall be filed with the United States Trotting Association, the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey and the New Jersey Racing Commission.

Said Sire Stakes Program shall be administered by a board of trustees consisting of five members, four appointed by the Governor, two of whom shall be members of the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association of New Jersey, two representatives of racing interests generally, and the Secretary of Agriculture, ex officio. Of members first appointed, the term of office of one appointee member of the Standardbred Breeders' and Owners' Association shall be two years, the other appointee member of such association shall be one year, the term of office of one appointee representing racing interests generally shall be for two years and the other appointee representing racing interests generally shall be for a term of one year. Thereafter, appointments shall be for terms of two years. No member of the board of trustees shall be compensated for his services, however, reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in connection with duties as members of the board may be reimbursed.

The board of trustees is authorized to do all that is necessary for the proper administration of the said Sire Stakes Program and shall prepare, issue and promulgate rules and regulations providing for

a. Classes and divisions of races, eligibility of horses and owners therefor and prizes and awards to be awarded.

b. Nominating, sustaining and entry fees on horses and races.

c. Such temporary programs including eligibility of horses, breeding, and other matters as may be necessary to make the Sire Stakes Program operable as soon as possible.

d. Registration and certification of New Jersey stallions, mares bred to such stallions and foals produced thereby.

e. Such other matters as the board determines to be necessary and appropriate for the proper administration and implementation of the Sire Stakes Program.

The funds for the Sire Stakes Program pursuant to section 46 of P.L.1940, c.17, or any other law, and the nominating, sustaining and entry fees provided for herein shall be administered by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture by deposit in a trust account entitled Sire Stakes Fund. All disbursements therefrom for the payment of purses and awards, cost of administration, reimbursement of expenses of members of the board of trustees and any other appropriate expenses shall be made by the Secretary of Agriculture or his designee. A report shall be prepared and filed annually by the secretary with the Racing Commission setting forth an itemization of all deposits to and expenditures from said fund.

Sire stake races shall be run at all licensed harness tracks in the State of New Jersey. Said races and purses and awards awarded therefor shall be pursuant to the rules and regulations of the board of trustees hereunder, the New Jersey Racing Commission and the United States Trotting Association.

L.1971,c.85,s.1; amended 2002,c.21.