Incentive Awards

Incentive Award Program It Pays to be Cal-bred!

Total 2015 Awards
Breeder Awards – $4.587 million

Stallion Awards – $1.529 million

Owner Awards – $1.354 million
(From CTBA & TOC Program)
Restricted Races – $16 million

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 roughly $10 million for 2015.

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 $17,500 bonus will be made available for owners of registered California- Bred or California-Sired maidens in Maiden Special Weight races at Santa Anita and Del Mar and a $10,000 bonus for owners of registered California- Bred or California-Sired maidens in Maiden Special Weight races in Northern California, Los Alamitos and all Fair meetings throughout the state. Only races at 4 1/2 furlongs or longer will qualify. Bonus will be paid in approximately 45 racing days. In the event of a dead heat, the bonus will be split amongst the winners.

What is the Golden State Series? The 2016 Golden State Series encompasses 39 restricted stakes and purses of $5.425 million that will be jointly funded by the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the California Marketing Committee, stallion registration fees and through nominations of 2-year-olds in 2016. For foals of 2014, 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 or higher.

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 year 2010 or any subsequent calendar year in which he stood at stud and fathered the participant in the race. If a sire dies in this state in the year 2010 or any subsequent year and stood his last season at stud in this state, or was standing at stud in this state on the date of his death in the year 2010 or any subsequent year, he shall thereafter be considered an eligible Thoroughbred stallion regarding a race participant fathered by him  in that season. 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 approximately 8-10 percent being paid around September 1 and the final payment for 2016 being paid by March 31, 2017. The stallion awards are paid prior to March 31, 2017.

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 California-breds. Last year this amounted to additional racing opportunities and over $16 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 more than $5 million in 2015 and will grow significantly through the creation of the Golden State Series. Also, in 2017, California Cup XXVII will be held at Santa Anita Park on a date to be announced. Part of the funding for California Cup XXVII will come from the incentive award category, the California-bred Race Fund. 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.

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, $200.00 for non-members if applied for by September 30 of foal’s yearling year;

2) $125.00 for CTBA members, $250.00 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:

 

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.

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 37 races with purses totaling $4.3 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 year, CTBA co-sponsors Cal Cup Day in conjunction with 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 a 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.