Ontario Racing offering $5.89M in bonuses for 2020-21

ETOBICOKE, Ontario -- Ontario Racing has announced a $5.89 million Thoroughbred Horse Improvement Program (TIP) Breeders Awards package for 2020-21, including a new Ontario-Sired Reward of Excellence program.

The TIP Breeders Awards program offers rewards to the breeders of the best performing Ontario-breds at Woodbine and Fort Erie. The distribution is based on first-, second-, and third-place finishes in most classes, including Grade 1 stakes such as the Woodbine Mile.

The $200,000 Ontario-Sired Reward of Excellence program awards prizes to the breeders of the three highest-earning Ontario-sired horses worldwide. A total of $50,000 each is being offered in the 2-year-old colt/gelding, 2-year-old filly, 3-year-old colt/gelding, and 3-year-old filly categories ($25,000 for first, $15,000 for second, and $10,000 for third in the standings).

“The breeders’ awards are critical to Ontario Racing’s objective of rewarding breeding excellence through its Horse Improvement Programs,” said David Anderson, an Ontario Racing board member and Thoroughbred breeder. “It is our continued intention to invest in the Thoroughbred breeding sector, including the Ontario-sired program, to grow the province’s horse racing and breeding industry.”

Through the program, bonuses for the Canadian Triple Crown and Canadian Triple Tiara races have been raised, an added $50,000 and $30,000, respectively.

The Coronation Futurity and the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, the country’s richest races for Canadian-bred 2-year-olds, offer a $25,000 bonus each.

Up to $33,000 will go to a winner of a Grade 1 stakes. Maiden allowance races will offer up to a $13,000 added reward to an Ontario-bred winner, up from $5,100 in 2019. Ontario-sired maiden allowance winners can earn an extra $10,000, up from $3,600 last year.

“The new Ontario-Sired Reward of Excellence program fits well with our mandate to reward and promote all aspects of the Ontario thoroughbred breeding industry,” said Anderson.