As Ontario breeders prepare for the 2024 foaling and breeding season, their efforts to continue to breed quality yearlings for sales and supply horses to the province’s racetracks is being recognized. The CTHS-Ontario 2024 Live Foal Incentive Program has been designed to provide additional incentives to breeders and support the continued increase in costs in the Ontario marketplace. The continued downward trend of local live foals is very concerning and with this 2024 Live Foal Incentive Program, breeders will be incentivized to foal and breed in Ontario, encouraging continued investment in producing quality Ontario-bred foals.
A recent letter from the CTHS Ontario Board of Directors announced the new plan:
“CTHS Ontario is concerned about the health of the Ontario Thoroughbred breeding industry. Breeders are faced with several pressures:
- ever-rising costs of labour, feed, veterinary services, etc.
- reduced number of racing days that reduces opportunities to earn breeders’ awards
- lack of increases in the Woodbine Purse Account results in no increases to Ontario-sired and individual breeder purse bonuses
- difficulties in finding buyers willing to pay a reasonable price for produced weanlings and yearlings
These factors have made it increasingly difficult for breeders to stay in business, and over many years, several breeders have left the scene. Many of the remaining breeders are struggling and may soon stop breeding thoroughbreds. With this background and in an effort to keep Ontario breeders in business, the Board of Directors has approved an incentive program to reward active breeders for the production of Ontario-bred Thoroughbreds. It is intended that these payments will facilitate their operations going forward. The program is designed to assist with the rising costs of remaining active breeders.
Under this program, the CTHS Ontario will pay a fee of $1,500 per live Ontario-bred foal of 2024 and a $2,250 (a 50% bonus) for Ontario-bred foals by Ontario sires. Payment will be made on July 31, 2024, based on Live Foal Reports. This $1 million program is designed to incentivize immediate increases in the size and quality of the Thoroughbred breeding industry in Ontario. This incentive program will not be available for 2024 foals produced from mares purchased in the Fall 2023/Spring 2024 Mare Purchase or Recruitment programs.”
Breeders are reminded that their 2024 Live Foal reports must be submitted within 30 days of foaling to ensure they can participate in this incentive program.
