Ontario breeders' awards boosted by $2 million a year

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Ontario’s Thoroughbred breeding industry, which took a significant hit with the cancellation of the slots-at-racetracks program in March 2013, will get a financial boost over the next five years.

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society’s Ontario division announced a five-year agreement with the Ontario Racing Commission on Tuesday that will enhance the province’s breeders’ awards program by $12 million.

The deal will boost the amount of breeders’ awards paid out in the province by $2 million per year, to $5 million annually. The agreement is retroactive to April 12, the opening day of Thoroughbred racing in Ontario.

Breeders of horses finishing first, second, or third in stakes and allowance races down to the $12,500 claiming level will earn breeders’ awards. In addition, breeders of horses who win at the $10,000 claiming level and below also will be rewarded.

The CTHS also announced that the previous annual cap of $75,000 per breeder has been increased to $100,000.

As part of the agreement, an additional $2 million is available to breeders who bred registered Ontario-breds in 2013. Those funds will be available for distribution beginning later this month, and in order to receive those funds, breeders must register their foals by July 31.

Details are available at cthsont.com.