Middlebrook Equestrian
An Expandable Equestrian Training Facility for Lease next to Columbia County Horse Country
Middlebrook Farm was established in 1961 by Dr. Harry M. Zweig and his wife, Anna, as a Standardbred race horse breeding operation.
Zweig Fund for Equine Research at Cornell
Dr. Zweig led the creation of the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund, which established New York Sire Stakes races exclusively for New York bred horses. The legislation increased purses, improved the quality of racing stock, and expanded breeding participation in New York State.
The program became a model adopted by other states and countries.
For nearly 40 years, Dr. Zweig operated a local veterinary medical practice. He also served as a member of the advisory board of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
In recognition of his contributions to the development and care of horses, New York State created the Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund for Equine Research at Cornell. The fund actively supports research in equine health and performance.
Historic Property
Middlebrook Equestrian sits on the historic Henry Tunis Smith Farm, listed on the National Register of Historic Places with a farmhouse dating to 1789. The land traces back to the 17th-century Dutch patroon estate of Rensselaerswyck, once spanning much of present-day Albany, Columbia, and Rensselaer counties.
The current property includes the original parcel leased under that system, reflecting a longstanding model of productive, continuous agricultural use. The property remains under long-term ownership by the Zweig family, which has established a trust to preserve and sustain an economically grounded approach to equine land use.