The $14.2 million going to breeders as part of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders’ Incentive Fund represents a ten year high. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission made the announcement Monday.
Kentucky bred horses won over four thousand races worldwide in 2018, making breeders eligible for incentive payments. Horse Racing Commission Deputy Executive Director Jamie Eads says breeding generally has been relatively flat in recent years. “In North America, I’d say it’s flat, but in Kentucky our mares bred has been relatively about the same each year and I do think we have some really strong stallions and that’s likely why the total dollars was up this year,” said Eads.
Strong stallions like American Pharaoh and Justified are making their homes in Kentucky after retiring from racing. The Breeders’ Incentive Fund receives 80 percent of the 6 percent sales tax paid when breeding a stallion to a mare in the Commonwealth. Awards are distributed to owners who board mares in Kentucky until foaling. Incentive payments are based on the foal’s eventual racetrack winnings.
