INVEST IN CALIFORNIA – HERE’S WHY:
Cal-Bred Owner Incentives
- Maiden Bonus Program Increase:
Last Year 2026 Santa Anita $10K $12.5K Del Mar $12.5K $15K - Santa Anita Cal-Bred Purse Raises:
Material increase in Cal-bred MSW & first-condition allowance purses compared to the beginning of the 24–25 Winter Meet.Last Year 2026 MSW $60K $70K NW1X $61K $71K - First-Level Allowance Condition Flexibility:
Cal-breds are entitled to two wins at the first-level allowance condition if the wins are recorded on different surfaces (dirt or turf) and now permitted two wins on the same surface at two separate distances.
1. One win at 7F or less (short) and
2. One win at 1M or longer (long) - Cal-Bred Open Company Owner Bonus:
Owners can receive at least a 20% bonus on the finisher’s share for placing 1st–5th in an open allowance or overnight stake race and up to a 20% bonus for finishing first in an open starter allowance above $15K and open non-maiden claimers with a claiming tag of $40K or greater.
Cal-Bred Breeder Incentives
- Waived Cal-Bred Registration Fees:
Eliminating the $100 foal registration fee for foals born in 2025 and registered as Cal-Breds in 2026. The same $100 savings will be applied for foals born in 2026 and 2027. Beneficiaries must be CTBA members in good standing. - Flagship Foal Incentive Program:
Starting with Mares bred in 2026 with resulting foals in 2027, CTBA will award $1,000 for each foal registered as a Cal-Bred, with a cap of 25 foals per breeder. Beneficiaries must be CTBA members in good standing. - Broodmare Quality Pilot Program:
Receive $3K in transport reimbursement for mares purchased at out-of-state auctions (must be ≤12 years old, in foal & cost ≥$20K). Must be bred back to a CA stallion to receive funds, limited to 5 mares per breeder per year.
OBBBA Federal Tax Benefit
100% bonus depreciation is now permanent under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). That means if you buy a racehorse, you can deduct the full cost of the purchase in the year you put it into service rather than depreciating it over multiple years. This increases immediate tax savings and improves cash flow for buyers/owners.
| Pre-OBBBA (Old Law) |
⭐ Post-OBBBA ⭐ (New Law) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Horse Purchase Price | $80,000 | $80,000 |
| 2026 Bonus Depreciation Rate | 20% | 100% |
| First Year Deduction | $16,000 | $80,000 |
| Remaining Base | $64,000, spread over multiple years | $0, fully recognized in yr 1 |
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