A new Maryland-bred program will begin with the Laurel Park fall meet
(September 19-December 31). Designed to enhance the breeding and ownership
of Maryland-bred horses, the program is modeled upon successful regional incentive programs
and expands the opportunities for Maryland-bred horses.
Last May, the Maryland Racing Commission (MRC), after a nearly year-long
study by an industry task force, approved the expanded incentives for Maryland
owners and breeders. Similar comprehensive programs have had significant impacts
on the equine industries in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York.
The new Maryland-bred incentive program is intended to resurrect the Maryland
horse breeding industry, which has undergone a devastating decline in recent
years. This innovative program provides the incentive to breed new horses
through an immediate increase of breeder bonuses for Maryland-bred horses, and
will also provide attractive financial incentives to own horses both now and in
the future.
Starting in 2013 at Laurel, and continuing in the future, there will be a 30
percent breeder bonus payout for Maryland-bred horses who finish first, second
or third in all races, and a 10 percent stallion bonus. The owner bonus awards
will continue with the current program of 17.5 percent to the winner through
2013.
In 2014, not only will the new breeders’ program continue to reward
Maryland-breds that finish first, second or third, but Maryland-owned horses
will also receive a bonus for finishing in the top three. The owner’s award
percentage will remain at 17.5 percent until 2015, for maiden, allowance and
claiming races of $10,000 and up.
By 2015, the breeder and owner bonuses will be 30 percent for the top three
finishers in all races.
“The goal of this program is to bring Maryland racing and breeding back to
its pre-eminent position on the national stage, and to provide the incentives to
breed, own, and race Maryland-bred horses,” MRC Chairman Bruce Quade said. “This
program provides the economic basis and stability for horsemen in Maryland as
well as attracting national investment in the Maryland racing and breeding
industry.”
“This incentive program will result in more Maryland-bred runners to help
fill our races, and it validates the faith that Annapolis legislators have
placed in us to grow the business of racing and breeding horses in Maryland,”
said Tom Chuckas, president of the Maryland Jockey Club which runs Laurel and
Pimlico Race Course.
Maryland Horse Breeders Association past president Dr. Tom Bowman said, “Over
the past 12 months, we have witnessed the evolution of two initiatives that will
propel Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Maryland back into a position of
national prominence. First came the 10-year racing agreement, and now, the horse
breeding agreement. Both were made possible through the diligent efforts of
Governor Martin O’Malley and his staff, the Maryland Racing Commission, and key
members of both the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates. I am confident that
their collective efforts will be rewarded by the revitalization of an industry
so economically and environmentally important to all the citizens of Maryland.”
Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association president Richard J. Meyer said,
“I am pleased that the horsemen and breeders have resolved their differences for
the best interests of Maryland racing. This accord, together with the long-term
agreement we jointly signed with the Maryland Jockey Club last fall, allows us
to focus our collective energy on moving Maryland racing forward, while giving
us the flexibility to meet the challenges of an evolving industry.”
“The Governor and the General Assembly, through their continued support for
Maryland racing and breeding, have given us the tools to permit the
Maryland-bred program to flourish to the benefit of all Marylanders,” Quade
added. “Just think of the farmland that will be preserved by these measures. The
combination of this breeding initiative together with the 10-year agreement
between the horsemen and the track earlier this year provides the stability and
the economic incentives for Maryland horse racing and breeding to thrive.”
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