Review of the 2019 Breed Improvement Program – Thoroughbred

The 2019 Breed Improvement Program – Thoroughbred, has now been paid out in full to all Thoroughbred Breeders and Stallion Owners. In total, $534,952.00 was distributed directly to Alberta breeders and stallion owners with Breeders receiving $455,322.00 and Stallion owners $79,630.00.

Originally, in order for Owners' and Breeders to qualify for the 2019 Breed Improvement Program the criteria was that horses of all ages foaled in Alberta placing win, place and show in all sanctioned races in Alberta having a minimum $8,000 purse and where entered at or above a minimum $8,000 claiming price were eligible for the bonus. Bonuses were not paid for eligible races that had four (4) or less starters.

At the end of September, the HBPA moved to change the Owners' bonus criteria so that horses placing win, place and show in all sanctioned races in Alberta having a minimum, $7,000 purse and where entered at or above a minimum $7,000 claiming price were. In response to this change, the CTHS Board of Directors voted to amend the Breeders' Bonus so that it reflected that same criteria.

The $455,322 in Breeders' Breeding Awards were subsequently paid to Breeders of horses of all ages foaled in Alberta placing win, place and show in all sanctioned races in Alberta having a minimum $7,000 purse and where entered at or above a minimum $7,000 claiming price. Bonuses were not paid for fifteen races that had four (4) or less starters.

The $76,630.00 in Stallion Owner’s Breeding Awards were paid proportionately to Stallion owners whose stallions had eligible Alberta Thoroughbred progeny with earnings of $10,000 or greater during the calendar year. Stallions had to have stood in the province of Alberta for the entire calendar year of conception for each year’s crop to be eligible.

This year, Breeders received a payment of 20% in 2019 and Stallion Owners were paid their bonus at 2.75%. This compares to 2018 where Breeders received 26% of the earnings of all eligible races and Stallion owners received 3.12%. The difference from 2018 to 2019 is due to the change in criteria. In 2018 the criteria for the bonuses was set that horses of all ages foaled in Alberta placing win, place and show in all sanctioned races in Alberta having a minimum $10,000 purse (Northlands); $8,500 purse (Century Downs) and where entered at or above a minimum $8,000 claiming price were eligible for the bonus. Bonuses were not paid for eligible races that had four (4) or less starters.

With the closure of the RECs due to COVID-19 the 2020 Breed Improvement Program-Thoroughbreds has not been finalized at this time. Funding for this program is dependent upon slot revenue and with the closure of RECs this will have a direct impact on the amount of funds available for the 2020 Breed Improvement Program.