While the weather outside was frigid in Saratoga Springs, New York, on Saturday,
January 24, things were heating up at the New York State Morgan Horse Society’s annual
Stallion Service Auction. Morgan breeders gathered in person, online, and on the phone for the
chance to score the winning bid on one of almost 60 prime stallions offered.

The festivities began around 4 p.m. with NYSMHS’s High Point Awards for 2025,
followed by a cash bar and light appetizers. A delicious Italian buffet dinner kept attendees
happy while they waited for the main event to begin. At 7 p.m., David “Tuffy” Owens stepped
up to the podium to get the auction rolling, while volunteers at the phone bank kept off-site
bidders in on the action.

It may have been cold outside, but the bidding was hot inside. Soon after the final bid
was made, Tuffy Owens announced that a record-breaking $71,775 was raised, making the 2026
NYSSA the most successful in the event’s history. In an unusual twist, the top bid was not on a
particular stallion, but on one of the “Name Your Mare” slots. Among the evening’s Top Ten
stallions were The Latest Trend JY GCH, EKL Shakedown CH, Dressed Up GCH, and Totally
Undone. Kudos to NYSMHS President Jennifer Peek, Master of Ceremonies/Auctioneer Tuffy
Owens, and their team of volunteers for putting together an incredible evening. The tremendous
success of the event would not be possible without the generosity of the stallion owners who
donated the services, and of course all the bidders. Be sure to join in next year in Saratoga
Springs!