The CTHS BC Board of Directors is aware of the issues facing breeders and owners due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are working diligently to find ways of helping not only our members, but the industry as a whole. We have had discussions with representatives from both the Department of Agriculture and the Attorney General’s Office about reopening Hastings to training and financial aid for breeders who are facing very difficult decisions. This has been done with the full support of our Industry partners, the HBPA and BCTOBA, as well as our industry representative on the management committee, Glen Todd. Their continued support makes what seems like an impossible task possible.
The first program is for immediate assistance to anyone who breeds to a registered BC sire. Our goal is to get the money in breeders’ hands ASAP. We cannot wait for the Government to decide on assistance. Breeding season will be over if we wait. We are acting now so you can as well.
Some stallion farms have already reduced their fees for 2020 to help breeders. These discounts will not change the amount of funds available to the breeder. Everyone will be eligible for the full $1,500. This program will also take in mares already bred to BC sires. It is retroactive to the start of the 2020 breeding season.
The second program is an existing program that we usually confirm closer to the sale. We have asked for government assistance for the sale, but want to make sure everyone knows that the $1,500 sales credit that was in place last year will once again be offered this year. Our goal is to see that the amount is increased, but until the government decides on assistance, we can only commit to $1,500.
Details of the two programs, which the CTHS BC is pleased to announce are as follows:
2020 BREEDER INCENTIVE PROGRAM
To be eligible you must be a BC resident.
To qualify for the program mares must be bred to a registered BC sire.
All mares will be eligible.
Breeders will receive:
- $500 when a mare is booked and covered by a registered BC sire.
- $1,000 when the mare is confirmed in foal by a veterinarian by ultrasound.
- A letter of commitment to sell the resulting foal or foals in a sale conducted by the CTHS (BC Division) or race it in British Columbia must accompany the application for funds.
Breeders receiving funds under this program that do not sell the resulting foal agree that their foal’s papers will be retained by the race office at Hastings Racecourse until the end of the foal’s two-year-old race season.
Confirmation from the applicant breeder must be supplied to the CTHS (BC Division) for both stallion booking and last cover date, as well as in-foal status by the veterinarian.
Repayment of funds received under this program will release the papers.
BC-BRED YEARLING PURCHASE INCENTIVE PROGRAM – 2020
Each purchaser of a BC-bred yearling at the CTHS (BC Division) 2020 Yearling & Mixed Sale will immediately receive a credit of up to $1,500 towards the purchase price, excluding applicable taxes.
The program will provide a credit for 50% of the purchase price of a BC-bred up to maximum benefit of $1,500. The program will provide a minimum of $1,000 credit for any BC-bred selling in the 2020 CTHS (BC Division) Sale for $2,000 or less. As further examples: a horse selling for $2,500 will generate a credit of $1,250; a horse selling for $3,000 or more will receive the maximum $1,500.
In order to receive this credit, the buyer must commit to leaving the registration papers in the Hastings Race Office for the entirety of the 2021 Hastings Racing Season.
The registration papers will be released for the sole purpose of the horse running in a stake race in another jurisdiction, but for no other reason. Immediately following the stake race the registration papers must be returned to the Hastings Race Office.
Repayment of all funds releases the papers to the owner at any time prior to the end of the 2021 Hastings Racing Season.
Buy backs are not eligible for this incentive.
To qualify the yearling must be a registered BC-bred who is sold to a third-party purchaser either at the time of the CTHS (BC Division) sale through the sales ring or by noon on the day following the sale. All BC-bred yearlings sold after the sale, but before noon the following day will be eligible for the credit of up to $1,500 as long as the sale goes through and is confirmed by the CTHS (BC Division) sales office and appears on the official sales results sheet for publication.
