Since the beginning of time, education has been the key to advancement. This axiom is as true in the Thoroughbred breeding business as it is in everyday life.

The CTBA’s mission statement lists one of its many goals “to expand and encourage the education of members and prospective members to the fullest extent possible.”

All the educational activities are funded in part by a generous annual grant from the Oak Tree Racing Association and by the monies extracted from the wagered dollar by the state law that created the CTBA. To accomplish our goal, the CTBA board created an education committee made up of board members and interested people from our membership. We hold educational activities, seminars and tours throughout the year, up and down the state. It is our desire to reach as many of our members and interested people as possible with these programs.

There are several regional clubs and other Thoroughbred associations in California with periodic representation on the education committee that work with us to produce seminars and events in different areas. Stallion tours are held in the early fall so stallions can be viewed before final booking decisions are made by mare owners.

During CTBA’s annual yearling sale in Northern California we hold a trade show that combines the fine equine art produced in our state with displays from many of our California farms. We also include displays from people and businesses that have educational and informational merit.

Each fall we hold a two-day seminar in the middle of the state at the Harris Ranch Inn to pass along current information that could aid in breeding and raising better Thoroughbred racehorses. This popular event brings our members together to network with each other and with experts and leaders in our industry.

The California Thoroughbred magazine and the CTBA web site are the major information mediums of the CTBA. The committee that oversees these three ventures is comprised of CTBA directors and CTBA staff members. It is the responsibility of the committee to provide leadership, policy and direction that insure a flow of high quality and meaningful information to the membership.

California Thoroughbred magazine has long been recognized as a leading industry publication. We are dedicated to building upon that foundation. One way this is being achieved is by working together in providing articles that are significant in assisting in farm management and animal husbandry. These editorials are featured in our “Down on the Farm” and “Horse Care” series that alternate in each of our publications. In order to get to better know CTBA’s membership, we publish member profiles on a monthly basis. These articles highlight current CTBA members and provide insight into their commitment to breeding quality Thoroughbreds.

Another objective of the magazine is to bring together advertisers and a precise target market. Stallion owners are able to cost effectively reach the real decision-makers with their advertising dollars. In addition, CTBA produces an annual stallion directory and industry directory for California.

The directors and CTBA staff are committed to long term quality and continued improvement of the magazine and directories. We are interested in the needs of the members. Wherever possible we will reach out to fulfill those needs.

The committee also provides direction for the CTBA internet web site. The internet provides an exciting method of communication. It allows for taking our message not only to the membership, but also to a broad audience interested in the California Thoroughbred industry. Our initial focus has been to create an easy and effective way of communication between members, directors and staff by way of e-mail. It has also been a primary goal to keep the membership informed and involved in the legislative activities that affect the industry. Through our internet site you can e-mail legislators to encourage their support in critical industry legislation.

The internet is in a state of constant change and improvement. It is our goal to continue to grow and improve along with the available technology, with our ultimate goal being methods of communication that better serve the CTBA membership in reaching their goals.

The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association has had an active legislative program in Sacramento for many years. The association has played a major role, lobbying for legislation that is beneficial, not only to California’s thoroughbred breeders, but also to racing in general.

This includes the legislation that provided for license fee relief and to enhance the breeder and stallion awards. The CTBA worked closely with the author of the bills, the racetracks, Thoroughbred Owners of California, California Thoroughbred Trainers, The Fairs, and the State, to help develop a consensus on the legislation. There is little question that the CTBA played a major role in the passage of this important legislation.

Several years ago, CTBA recognized the strength of its membership when dealing with the legislature, and  established a grass roots program. The program features a network of members which cover the entire state and is designed to provide a broad spectrum of information on the Thoroughbred breeding component of the racing industry.

Legislators are invited to visit farms in their district and are given information on the importance of the breeding industry to the success of racing, and to the overall economy of the State.

Those legislators that have participated have enjoyed being able to visit a farm, see the foals, and to learn about the tremendous amount of work it takes to be a successful breeder. It has also been helpful for the CTBA members hosting the visits, to learn more about the legislative process and to get to know their representatives.

The grass roots program has been coordinated by the CTBA staff in conjunction with its lobbyist. Tours have been organized throughout the state, and more tours are in the planning stages and will be held during the legislative recess.

Each year, the association monitors numerous bills of interest or concern to its members. When a specific bill is identified that needs to be lobbied, the CTBA’s lobbyist works closely with the Legislative Committee and the staff to insure that CTBA’s interests are considered as the legislation is debated.

Anyone interested in becoming involved in the Grass Roots program, should contact the CTBA.

Membership in the CTBA brings you many important benefits, whether you are a hands-on breeder, an owner, or simply an interested observer wishing to learn more about Cal-breds. Your dues entitle you to the award-winning California Thoroughbred magazine, an annual Clubhouse pass valid at all California racetracks, reduced advertising rates, special member rates for educational seminars, and voting rights for deciding year-end championship honors, as well as Broodmare of the Year and Valkyr Trophy awards which are handed out yearly.  In addition, membership provides for significant discounts on products and services that are essential to your businesses including John Deere, Sherwin Williams, and Office Depot.

Just as importantly, your support helps maintain a host of activities that promote Cal-breds and the vitality of California’s Thoroughbred industry. CTBA maintains an active presence in Sacramento to advance the interests of the state’s breeders through legislation. CTBA’s library and databases are available to members for research, and our farm and racing seminars give you one-on-one access to breeding, farm and racing experts.

Applicants for membership in the CTBA must own or be a part-owner of one or more Thoroughbreds maintained for racing or breeding in the state of California. A joint membership for husband and wife is available, as is an associate membership offered to those people who are planning to participate in the Thoroughbred industry either as an owner or breeder.

Annual dues are $125 per year. Not a member click here!

CTBA annually hosts the Northern California Yearling Sale in Pleasanton in August. CTBA Yearling Sale graduates include stakes winners Bai and Bai and Sierra Sunset.

With restricted purses worth nearly $16 million, and valuable incentive awards available for breeders, owners and stallion owners totaling an additional $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 60 races with purses totaling more than $4 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, the maiden bonus program and promotion of Cal-breds in general.

The marquee event for Cal-breds each year is the California Cup. CTBA co-sponsors Cal Cup Day in conjunction with the Oak Tree Racing Association. This celebratory event, inaugurated in 1990, is the highlight of the racing season for California breeders. All races on Cal Cup Day are restricted to statebreds and currently offer purses of nearly $1 million to participants. This special day provides California breeders and owners an opportunity to showcase California’s finest Thoroughbreds. Cal Cup also features a 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.

Through the years, California-breds have distinguished themselves in some of the nation’s richest races against the best competition of their respective eras. Click here for a list of the top Cal-bred money winners of all time.