Thoroughbred Improvement Program adds two incentives for Ontario mare owners

The Thoroughbred Improvement Program, which aims to increase the quality and value of Ontario-bred racehorses, has unveiled two new incentives for mare owners in 2020 to bring mares and foals to the province.

In October, the Thoroughbred Improvement Program announced its Mare Purchase Program for Ontario residents shopping for mares at the major-market breeding stock sales at the Fasig-Tipton, Keeneland, and Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s auctions. Ontario residents purchasing an in-foal mare at those auctions during the mixed-sale season from November through February are eligible to receive as much as 50 percent of the purchase price, as much as $15,000 (all funds Canadian), for each mare purchased. For any of the mares bred back to a registered Ontario sire in 2020, the buyer is eligible for an additional $2,500 payout.

:: DRF BREEDING LIVE: Real-time coverage of breeding and sales

“The Mare Purchase Program offers a strong incentive for both prospective and established Thoroughbred breeders to further invest in breeding racehorses in Ontario,” John Hayes, independent chair of Ontario Racing, said in a press release.

Less than two weeks later, the Thoroughbred Improvement Program announced the creation of a related mare recruitment program, in which breeders can receive a $5,000 bonus for a mare brought to Ontario to foal. Those mares also are eligible for the $2,500 bonus if bred back to an Ontario sire.