Breed Improvement Program
Alberta's Breeding Information - 2008 Season
The Breed Improvement Programs for standardbreds, thoroughbreds and other racing breeds were established to promote breeding while stimulating the agriculture business sector of the province’s economy.
The aim of the program is to upgrade the overall quality of racing and breeding in Alberta. It is an incentive that encourages owners to buy from the Alberta market, to board and breed on Alberta farms and to race the Alberta-breds in Alberta and other tracks.
These incentives are funded from money generated by the industry through the Racing Entertainment Centres and total monies wagered through the pari-mutuel system on thoroughbreds, standardbreds and community circuit racing in Alberta.
Incentives are available only to those breeders and owners of registered Alberta-bred horses. This provides a vehicle to increase the value and marketability of Alberta thoroughbreds, standardbreds and other racing breeds.
Thoroughbreds
For further information, contact:
Jean Kruse
The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division)
#401, 255 – 17 Ave. SW
Calgary, AB
Phone: 403-229-3609
Fax: 403-244-6909
Email: cthsalta@telusplanet.netOR
Mat Monaco
The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Alberta
#401, 255 – 17 Ave. SW
Calgary, AB
Phone: 403-263-7499
Fax: 403-229-3779
Email: hbpa@telusplanet.netOwners Supplement:
The Breed Improvement Program is contributing $700,000 towards supporting the owners of Alberta Breds. The funds are to be shared among owners of Alberta Breds finishing win, place and show in all races above the $7,500 claiming level, excluding stakes races.These funds are provided to encourage owners to purchase Alberta Bred horses at sales. The supplement funds also encourage them to purchase better quality horses resulting in a higher level of racing in the province.
Breeders Bonus
$900,000 is being contributed toward breeders’ bonuses in Alberta and will go to breeders of 2, 3, 4 and 5 year old Alberta breds. The bonuses are based on dollars earned for placing win, place or show in all races from the $10,000 claiming level and up, including maiden races.These funds are provided to breeders in order to make their operations financially viable, to maintain stability, to improve their operations and to achieve growth.
Stallion Bonuses
$250,000 is being contributed to support the stallion owners whose 2, 3, 4 and 5 year old progeny win, place or show in all races from the $13,000 claiming level and up, including maiden races.These funds are provided to stallion owners to encourage them to bring better bloodlines to the province. This will increase the value of the industry by producing better quality stock and breeders will breed more mares within the province to Alberta sires.
Mare Incentive Purchase Program
Up to $185,000 is being provided to improve the number of quality mares and foals in the province.
This program is open to an Alberta resident who has purchased at a recognized public auction outside of the Province of Alberta, a thoroughbred mare in foal to a thoroughbred stallion that will foal in 2008. The purchase price of the mare must be $10,000 or more. US purchases will be equivalent to $10,000 Canadian (at par). A payment of 30% of the hammer price, to a maximum of $10,000 (CDN) is available to a qualified purchaser who meets the following conditions:
- Applicants must be an Alberta Resident for 12 months prior to mare purchase (proof may be required).
- All mares purchased must have ownership transferred directly from sales company to applicant and/or applicant’s (no third party transfers of ownership in part or whole, with the exception of an agent). When using an agent to purchase broodmares for the program, the agent forms need to be filled out properly to ensure this will happen.
- Individuals and Partnerships will be limited to shares in two mare purchases (each partner limited to the maximum refund $10,000 CDN). Business names or partnerships are required to declare all partners or shareholders. Partnerships are restricted to Alberta Residents.
- Mare purchase applicants must be the registered breeders of the resulting foal. No added or deleted breeders. A copy of the 2008 live foal report may be required.
- The application deadline for 2007-2008 mare purchase rebate will be September 30, 2008.
- Application for the payment can only be made after the mare has been covered by an Alberta Thoroughbred sire and all the requirements have been met.
- Purchase must be made at a recognized public auction.
- Mare cannot be over 12 years old and must be confirmed in foal at the auction.
- Mare must foal in Alberta in 2008 and be bred back to an Alberta Thoroughbred Sire.
- If a mare aborts or otherwise loses her foal, it will still qualify for the payment if it was confirmed in foal at the later of the time of the sale or the removal of the mare from the sale grounds and is bred back to a Thoroughbred Stallion standing in Alberta (Vet Certificate required).
- Mare must be shown as covered on at least two cycles if she did not conceive.
For further information on the program contact the CTHS Alberta Division.
Sales Stakes
The Breed Improvement Program is providing $250,000 toward sponsoring the Sales Stakes for 2 year olds, 3 year olds, 4 year olds and up. There are six Sales Stakes in total; 2 year old fillies and 2 year old colts and geldings will race for purses of $60,000 each; 3 year old fillies and colts and 4 year old and up fillies and colts will run for purses of $50,000 each. The Sales Stakes are eligible to Canadian Breds.he purpose of the races is to stimulate the breeding industry; to create a strong Alberta yearling market; to attract new owners and to improve racing in the province. To be eligible, yearlings must be nominated to the Yearling Sales Stakes by May 1st and sold at the Alberta Summer Yearling Sale or nominated by August 1st and sold at the Alberta Mixed Sale Yearling session.
These funds are provided to encourage owners to buy Alberta bred horses at the sales, which should result in higher sales prices and more revenue for the breeder.
Stakes Program
A Stakes Program for Owners, Breeders and Stallion Owners – The Breed Improvement Program is supporting the industry by contributing a total of $350,000 toward the stakes program for breeders, owners and resident stallion owners of Alberta. Open to Breeders (registered in Alberta) and Resident Stallion Owners of Alberta Breds finishing win, place or show in an Open Stakes Race carrying a purse of $50,000 or more in North America and to owners of each Alberta Bred finishing first in an open stakes race carrying a purse of $50,000 or more in North America.Breeders bonus will be $3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place and $1,500 for third place.
The resident stallion bonus will be $2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second place and $1,000 for third place. Stallion must stand in Alberta for the entire breeding season. Stallion Owner (Lessee) must be active in the Alberta Thoroughbred Industry as an Owner-Breeder or Stallion Owner (Lessee) for at least the two prior years to the year of the race.An Owner’s Supplement of $20,000 will be added for Alberta Bred to the following nine open stakes races. Money will be added to the purse pool and paid out to first $12,000, second $5,000 and third $3,000. Any portion of the $20,000 not paid out will be added to the purse of that race in 2009.
The Bird of Pay The Bird Catcher The Northlands Oaks The Ky Alta The Duchess of York The Herald Gold Plate The Presidents Stakes The Mount Royal The Sun Sprint Championship Alberta Fall Classic
Because of the Breed Improvement Program, the Alberta Fall Classic purses were increased to a total of $400,000. Alberta Fall Classic day features seven stakes races each with a minimum purse of $50,000. The purses for the Distaff and Breeders Handicap stakes races will remain the same in 2008 at $75,000. The 10-race program now offers total purses of over $400,000 making it one of the richest thoroughbred cards in the history of horse racing in Alberta.The objective is to have a day to focus on the Alberta industry and the Fall Classic has become a very key date for the industry. The purse support rewards excellence by assisting breeders and owners of the highest quality racing stock in the province.
Canadian Derby/Sonoma Stakes/Penny Ridge
The Breed Improvement Program supports the industry by contributing $50,000 to the purse of the Canadian Derby. The total purse for this marquee race will again be $300,000 in 2008. $25,000 will again be added to the Sonoma and Penny Ridge Stakes. These 3 year old Filly races will run for purses of $100,000 and $75,000 respectively.The funds have been provided to our premier races for three-year-old colts and fillies. It brings a higher recognition to racing in Alberta and will increase the Graded Stakes value with the higher purse structure.
Standardbreds
For further information, contact:
Ted Billo
Alberta Standardbred Horse Association
B15, 6020 – 2nd St. SE
Calgary, AB
T2H 2L8
Phone: 403-263-7765
Fax: 403-294-1510
E-mail: harness@asha.ab.caAlberta Sires Stakes Program
This program showcases provincially sired horses and provides good purses for these stakes programs. This program increases the purses for the finals of these stakes races as well as the Sales Stakes. This program supplements an additional $775,000 in stake purses in 2008.Mare Bonus
This bonus goes to the owner of the mare, bred to stallions registered in Alberta Sires Stakes, whose offspring ages 2, 3, 4, and 5 years has earned money in any race, including stake races. There is $600,000 available in this program. This program rewards excellence, promotes the acquisition of new and better quality broodmares and helps offset operational costs.Stallion Bonus
The stallion bonus goes to the owner of the stallion registered in the Alberta Sires Stakes, whose offspring ages 2, 3, 4, and 5 years has earned money in any race, including stake races. There is $165,000 available in this program. This program rewards excellence, promotes the acquisition of quality horses to stand at stud in Alberta and offsets operational costs.Owner Bonus
This program rewards the owner of an Alberta sired horse, ages 2 to 5 years of age, earning money in all races excluding stakes races. This supplement of $550,000 (total budget for 2008) is to encourage ownership and breeding of Alberta sired horses.Alberta Breeders Stake Races for 3 Year Old Fillies
This is for 3-year-old fillies which are either Alberta sired or Alberta owned at the time of nomination and declaration. This program provides a premier stakes race for 3-year-old fillies as there are currently two premier colt stakes for 3-year-olds. There is $150,000 budgeted for this program in 2008 and is meant to help promote the acquisition of good quality fillies that may become broodmares in the future.Community – Track Owners Bonus
This program rewards the owners of Alberta sired horses racing on the community circuit during the summer meet, ages 2 to 5 years, earning money in all races excluding stakes.This supplement encourages ownership and breeding of Alberta sired horses. There is $30,000 available in this program for owners bonus support and $20,000 in a supplementary stake support for the community circuit.
Sales Credit for Winners of Specified Stakes Races
The owners of horses winning the Northlands Filly Pace, Western Canada Pacing Derby, Breeders Filly Stake, Breeders Colt Stake and four ASHA Sales Stakes will receive a $2,500 credit note for the 2008 ASHA Yearling Sale. The credit note is transferable and will be redeemable against the purchase of any Standardbred yearling at ASHA’s annual yearling sale. This credit note, if not used, expires on December 31, 2009 and is not redeemable for cash.Community Support
For further information, contact:
Kay Haus
Breed Improvement Community Representative
Box 100
Seven Persons, AB
T0K 1Z0
Phone: 403-504-4331
Fax: 403-832-2435
E-mail: kghaus@telusplanet.netRules for “Foaled in Alberta” Bonuses
- No “Foaled in Alberta” bonuses will be generated for any race which is contested with fewer than five horses.
- No “Foaled in Alberta” Breeder bonuses will be generated for any claiming races with claiming prices of $3,500 or less.
- No “Foaled in Alberta” Breeder bonuses will be generated for any horse which is eight years of age or older.
Breeders and Owners of Horses Foaled in Alberta – Stakes Race Bonus
This bonus provides a bonus to owners and breeders of Alberta Bred horses that win, place or show in stakes races only with a purse of $10,000 and over. It will encourage owners to purchase Alberta Breds, encourage the breeding of better quality horses, and promote more horses and better races at the community level. The funds will ensure sustained growth of racing and more economic opportunities for breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms.There is $57,000 available to breeders and owners to be shared between all five breeds (Quarterhorse, Thoroughbred, Paints, Arabians and Appaloosas).
A bonus of $2,000 will be allocated per race to breeders and owners as follows; $500 for win, $300 for place and $200 for show.
Breeders and Owners of Horses Foaled in Alberta – Overnight Race Bonus
This bonus provides a bonus to owners and breeders of Alberta Bred horses that win, place or show in all races, excluding stakes races, with a purse of $10,000 and over and excluding claiming races of $3,500 or less. It will encourage owners to purchase Alberta Breds, encourage the breeding of better quality horses, and promote more horses and better races at the community level. The funds will ensure sustained growth of racing and more economic opportunities for breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms.There is $230,000 available to breeders and owners to be shared between all five breeds (Quarterhorse, Thoroughbred, Paints, Arabians and Appaloosas).
The bonus is a 15% supplement to the purses earned for owners. The breeders bonuses are based on dollars earned for placing win, place or show in all stake races of $10,000 and over.
Stallion Owners of Horses Foaled in Alberta
This bonus provides a bonus to stallion owners who stand their stallions in Alberta. $46,000 bonus is based on dollars earned for placing win, place, show in all races and is shared between all five breeds.
There is $46,000 available to breeders and owners to be shared between all five breeds (Quarterhorse, Thoroughbred, Paints, Arabians and Appaloosas).Community Thoroughbred – Alberta Stakes Race
$50,000 allocated to the community thoroughbreds for their Foaled in Alberta Stakes race program.Canadian Quarter Horse Cup Futurity and Derby
$70,000 has been allocated in 2008 and these funds are used to enhance the Canada Cup Sale and racing program. This sale is held annually at Lethbridge in September and is a major venue for Alberta breeders to showcase and sell their yearling quarter horses. Both the trials for the Canada Cup Futurity and the Canada Cup Derby are run on the same weekend as the yearling sale.Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association – Stakes Race Program
This is a series of quarter horse stakes races developed and run under the auspices of the Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association. These stakes races are highly successful and vital to the continued growth in quality and quantity of this breed. They are an integral part of the stakes program at the community tracks. $75,000 has been contributed for 2008.Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association – Stallion Stakes Race Program
This program encourages breeders to breed to Alberta sires and increases a foal’s value and marketability and to increase its earning potential. In 2008, $40,000 has been allocated.Foaled in Alberta Aged Handicap Series – 3 yr olds and up
This program is to encourage the continued racing of older horses, i.e. 3 years old and up. We lose many of our aged horses at the track because it was not economically viable to keep them running beyond the age of three. This program allocation of $75,000 provides the funds for owners’ bonuses to ensure these older horses return to racing.
