Incentive Awards
Incentive Award Program It Pays to be Cal-bred!
Total 2012 Awards
Breeder Awards - $4.555 million
Stallion Awards - $1.518 million
Owner Awards - $1.354 million
(From CTBA & TOC Program)
Restricted Races - $15.42 million
California’s Incentive Programs
The Racing and Breeding Industry's Impact on California's Economy
California’s Incentive Programs
Questions and answers concerning California-breds and California’s lucrative incentive awards program, which was responsible for breeders, owners and stallion owners collecting more than $7 million for 2011.
Who qualifies for the awards? The breeders and owners of registered California-bred Thoroughbreds and the owners of California-based stallions.
What are Breeders Awards? A monetary award which is paid to the breeder of a registered California-bred Thoroughbred finishing first, second or third in any race run in California and any graded stakes races conducted within the United States. Breeders will receive 75 percent of the remainder of the total incentive award monies after owner awards are paid, with an individual breeder receiving a pro-rated share of this breeders fund. The maximum purse considered earned in any qualifying race within this state shall be $330,000 for a win, $120,000 for a second and $90,000 for a third-place finish. Breeder awards always are paid exclusive of nomination, entry and starting fees.
What are Owners Awards? A monetary award which is paid to the owner of a registered California-bred Thoroughbred horse which runs in qualifying races in California. Owners can receive at least a 20 percent bonus on the finisher’s share for finishing first through fifth in an open allowance or overnight stake race and up to a 20 percent bonus for finishing first in an open starter allowance above $15,000 and open non-maiden claiming races with a claiming price of $40,000 or greater in Southern California and $20,000 or greater in Northern California. These levels are purposely set high to encourage the ownership of high-quality runners and to restrict the number of qualifiers so that the awards will function as a major incentive. Owner awards always are paid exclusive of nomination, entry and starting fees. They are listed in the racing program and will be distributed at the same time as the purse by the paymaster.
What is the Maiden Bonus Program? A Maiden Bonus award will be paid to the owner of a registered California-bred or registered California-sired foal for breaking his maiden in a maiden special weight, allowance or stakes race. The bonus amount is $10,000 in Northern California and all Fair meets throughout the state and $17,500 in Southern California. Beginning in 2011, only races of 4 1/2 furlongs or longer qualify for the maiden bonus. These awards are paid directly to the owner in about 45 racing days.
What is the Golden State Series? The 2012 Golden State Series encompasses new stakes and purse enhancements to existing stakes totaling $2.325 million that will be jointly funded by the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the California Marketing Committee and through nominations of 2-year-olds in 2012. For foals of 2010, a $300 eligibility payment must be made by February 15. Foals not made eligible by that date can become eligible with payment of a one-time supplemental fee of $25,000. Foals of 2009 and earlier will be grandfathered into the program with no eligibility payment. To encourage and reward participation, purse money will be distributed through sixth place in races with purses between $100,000-$150,000 and through eighth place in races with purses of $200,000-$300,000. Initially, the incentive programs are designed to significantly boost purses and the number of races available for 2- and 3-year-olds to continue the quick return to owners and breeders. Over time, and with success, the goal is to expand the purses and opportunities for older horses as well. Purses for the new stakes series range from $100,000 to $300,000 with races at all major California tracks, including the addition of two turf races in Northern California.
What are Stallion Awards? In order to stimulate the acquisition in California of nationally prominent stallions, and retain high caliber California stallions, monetary awards are paid annually to the owners of registered California stallions whose California-conceived or California-bred get have won a qualifying race or have finished first, second, or third in a stakes race in the state or any graded stakes race within the United States during the year. Qualifying races are any non-claiming races, including maiden allowance and starter allowance races, with a purse of at least $15,000, and open non-maiden claiming races with a claiming price of $40,000 or greater in Southern California and $20,000 or greater in Northern California also qualify. Stallion awards are exclusive of nomination, entry and starting fees. Stallions must be registered by February 15 each year to be eligible for stallion awards. Stallion owners will receive 25 percent of the remainder of the total incentive award monies after owners awards are paid, with an individual owner of a registered California stallion (as of December 31) receiving a prorated share of the stallion fund based on the total qualifying earnings of the get during the year. The maximum purse considered earned in any qualifying race within this state shall be $330,000 for a win, $120,000 for a second and $90,000 for a third-place finish. The stallion must be continuously present in California from February 1 to July 15, inclusive, of the calendar year in which the qualifying race was conducted, and if the sire left California after July 15 of the calendar year in which the qualifying race was conducted, the sire returned to and was present in California by February 1 of the following calendar year and thereafter remained until July 15 of that year. The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) will help compile data, but it is the ultimate responsibility of the stallion owner to advise that official registering agency, on or before February 15 of any year, of any and all purses earned during the preceding year that shall be considered in determining the amount of the stallion award to which the owner is entitled.
Does the program include races outside of California? Yes. The breeder of a California-bred Thoroughbred finishing first, second or third in a graded stakes outside of California, but within the United States, will be paid a pro-rated share of the breeders fund. The maximum purse considered earned in any race shall be $165,000 for a win, $60,000 for second and $45,000 for a thirdplace finish. CTBA will help compile data, but it is the ultimate responsibility of the breeder to advise the official registering agency (CTBA), on or before February 15 of any year, of any and all purses earned during the preceding year in graded stakes races outside of this state by horses bred by the breeder. Also, the owner of a registered California stallion whose California-conceived or California-bred get finished first, second or third in a graded stakes outside of California, but within the United States, will be paid a pro-rated share of the Stallion fund with the maximum purse considered earned the same as the breeders above.
When are the premiums paid? Owner awards are paid at the same time as the purse by the paymaster. Breeder awards are paid twice a year with a conservative advance payment of 10 percent being paid by September 1 and the final payment for 2011 being paid by March 31, 2012. The stallion awards are paid prior to March 31, 2012.
Are there special racing opportunities for California-breds? Yes. Racetracks in California are required by law to offer one race per day which is restricted to Californiabreds. Last year this amounted to 286 additional racing opportunities and over $13 million in additional purses for California-breds. In addition, the California legislature has declared its intent that at least 10 percent of the total stakes purses paid at any race meeting in California be paid on stakes races restricted to registered California-breds. This amounted to nearly $4 million in 2011. Part of the funding for California Cup at Santa Anita will come from the incentive award category, the California-bred Race Fund. A total of 9.5 percent of the total incentive award monies will be used for this category, with the monies funding the promotion of California-bred races, the supplement of purses for California-bred races and the creation of new California-bred stakes.
What is the definition of a California-bred? The definition of a California-bred is as follows: A California-bred Thoroughbred is a horse dropped in California after being conceived in California, or any Thoroughbred foal dropped by a mare in California if the mare remains in California to be next bred to a Thoroughbred stallion standing in the state. If the mare cannot be bred for two successive seasons, but remains in California during that period, her foal will be considered a California-bred.
What is the definition of a California-sired? A “California-sired horse” is a Thoroughbred that was conceived in California by a registered California Stallion. A California-sired horse is only eligible for entry in races restricted to California-bred or California-sired horses and is not eligible for any breeder or owner awards, except the maiden bonus awards. The fee to register a foal as a California-sired is $100.00 for CTBA members and $125.00 for non-members.
How does one register a California-bred? Registration applications must be filed with the CTBA. Only those horses which are both registered with The Jockey Club and fulfill all requirements as outlined in the definition of a California-bred are eligible. The fees for registration are as follows: 1) $100.00 for CTBA members, $125.00 for non-members if applied for by September 30 of foal’s yearling year; 2) $125.00 for CTBA members, $150.00 for nonmembers if applied for after September 30 of yearling year but before January 1 following; and 3) $750.00 if applied for after January 1 of two-year old year.
If desired, application can be made in advance of receipt of Jockey Club Certificates to escape penalty for late filing, but no actual registration will be made until certificates are available. CTBA has representation at California tracks to help facilitate late registrations.
How can I obtain more information? Contact Doug Burge or Mary Ellen Locke at the CTBA offices across the street from the Santa Anita Park racetrack in Arcadia at the address and phone numbers listed here.
Breeder Award
Total year end Breeder Awards=$4.555 Million
Total year end Breeder Winnings=$43.186 Million
Breeder Award Percentage $4.555/$43.186 = 10.544%
Stallion Award
Total year end Stallion Awards=$1.518 Million
Total year end Stallion Winnings=$15.631 Million
Stallion Award Percentage $1.518M/$15.631M=9.714%
If a horse qualified for and earned a $15,000 purse in a race;
Breeder Award = $15,000 x 10.544% = $1,581.60
Stallion Award = $15,000 x 9.714% = $1,457.10
Owners Awards
From the CTBA Incentive Fund - 20% of the winners share of the purse for a qualifying race shall be distributed as an owner award to a registered Cal-bred thoroughbred horse conceived by a registered eligible thoroughbred stallion, which finishes first in the race. 10% of the winner’s share of the purse for a qualifying race shall be distributed as an owner award to a registered Cal-bred thoroughbred not conceived by a registered eligible stallion, which finishes first in the race.
Under the CTBA Owner Program - Qualifying races are all open allowance races and certain open non-maiden claiming races with minimum qualifying claiming levels. Owners awards are not paid on restricted races. (No Stakes)
TOC Owner Award Program - Qualifying races are all open allowance races and certain open claiming races with minimum qualifying purse levels. Owners awards are not paid on restricted races. (No Stakes) TOC Owner Award Program - Guaranteed total of 30% bonus to California-breds finishing 1-5 in open overnight stakes, and 1-5 in open allowance, excluding starter allowance. No bonuses are paid on restricted races. (Those races that CTBA gives a 20% bonus to the winner, the TOC will add 10%).
New California-Bred or Sired Maiden Bonus Program
Along with new eligibility conditions for California-Breds
A new bonus program is in place for California-Bred or Sired horses. Funded by the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) and the various racing associations, this new program will greatly increase the return for those investing in California-Bred or Sired horses. The goal of this program is to increase demand for California-Bred or Sired horses by significantly increasing the purse money and opportunities available for California-Bred or Sired horses. The backbone of this new program is the creation of a lucrative maiden bonus program, providing a quick return for those successfully racing California-Bred or Sired horses.
This program will provide:
1. A $17,500 bonus made available for owners of registered California-Bred or Sired maidens in Maiden Special races in Southern California; and
2. A $10,000 bonus for owners of registered California-Bred or Sired maidens in Maiden Special races in Northern California and all Fair meets throughout the state.
Beginning in 2011, only races of 4 1/2 furlongs or longer qualify for the maiden bonus.
The bonus will go to the owner of the winner and will be paid directly by the CTBA in roughly 45 racing days. To put this into perspective: In Southern California, at the recently concluded Santa Anita Park meet, for example, a California-bred or Sired Maiden Special race, going long, carried a purse of $46,000, of which $27,600 goes to the winner. Under the new scenario, the winner would receive the $27,600 plus an additional $17,500 for a net amount of more than $45,000. In the North, the same applies with the owner receiving $10,000 over and above the purse earned.
If a California Bred wins an open Maiden Special race, the owner would also receive the current owner bonus available in open company as well as the new amount.
This program, designed to quickly reward those investing in California-Bred or Sired horses, will significantly increase their value overnight. The various racing secretaries support this tremendous boost and have made a commitment to write and fill more California-bred and Sired Maiden Special races.
Maiden Claiming Program
Although maiden claiming races will not qualify for the above described bonus, the tracks will increase the bottom level California-Bred or Sired maiden claiming price in the South from $40,000 to $50,000. Along with the increased protection/value of these horses, the purse will also be elevated to reflect the raise. Horses which break their maiden for $50,000* in these races will now be eligible for Starter Allowance races for open $40,000 or less maiden claiming winners.
FOR TWO-YEAR-OLDS which have broken their maidens for a claiming price of $40,000 or less or CALIFORNIA-BRED OR SIRED horses which have broken their maidens for $50,000* or less or have never won TWO races.
OR
FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD which have started for a claiming price of $40,000 or less or CALIFORNIA-BRED OR SIRED horses which have started for a claiming price of $50,000* or less or have never won TWO races.
*Races restricted to California-Bred or Sired horses.
2011 Minimum Qualifying Purse Levels for Claiming Races
$13.7 Million in Restricted Racing
There has never been a better time to breed and race California-breds! With restricted purses worth more than $13.7 million, and valuable incentive awards available for breeders, owners and stallion owners totaling nearly $10 million, it truly does pay to race Cal-breds.
Each racing association in the state is required to offer at least one Cal-bred restricted race per day and allocate at least 10 percent of their total stakes dollars to Cal-bred restricted stakes. The latter has resulted in a stakes program that has 35 races with purses totaling $3.6 million. By law, approximately 10 percent of the total incentive program revenues are allocated to the Cal-bred race fund. This fund is used to supplement Cal-bred stakes purses, including a large portion for Cal Cup purses, Cal-bred maiden allowance purses, and promotion of Cal-breds in general.
Each fall, CTBA co-sponsors Cal Cup Day in conjunction with Santa Anita and it is held during the Fall meet at Santa Anita. This celebratory event, inaugurated in 1990, is the highlight of the racing season for California breeders. This special day provides California breeders and owners an opportunity to showcase California's finest Thoroughbreds. Cal Cup also features an infield theme party, which includes a fantastic array of food, drink and entertainment in a festive atmosphere that everyone looks forward to each year with great anticipation.
The year 2000 marked the Inaugural California Gold Rush Day at Hollywood Park. This outstanding spring celebration is strictly for horses bred or sired in California.
