Ontario Racing today announced a Mare Recruitment Program (MRP), a one-year pilot program for the 2020-21 fiscal year, eligible to Thoroughbred horsepeople who bring an in-foal mare to foal in Ontario.
Eligible applicants will receive $5,000 (CDN), through the industry’s Thoroughbred Horse Improvement Program (TIP), for each mare brought to Ontario to foal.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after Ontario Racing introduced the incentive- and bonus-laden Mare Purchase Program (MPP) for Thoroughbred owners and breeders.
“The Mare Recruitment Program provides a significant opportunity for both new and longtime breeders to continue to invest in breeding Thoroughbred horses in Ontario,” said David Anderson, longtime breeder-owner and Ontario Racing (OR) board member. “Working to ensure the long-term prosperity of horse racing in the province remains a top priority for Ontario Racing’s Board of Directors and the members of its Thoroughbred Horse Improvement Program committee, which includes all sectors of the province’s thoroughbred horse racing industry. Through incentives like MRP, and the recently announced Mare Purchase Program, Ontario breeders and owners are able to take advantage of considerable incentives and bonuses.”
In order to participate in the Mare Recruitment Program, the mare must not have foaled in Ontario in the previous two years and must meet the mare residency program criteria as outlined in TIP criteria book.
The MRP also offers an additional $2,500 (CDN) bonus for every mare that is bred back to a registered Ontario Sire in the 2020 breeding season.
“Ontario Racing’s Mare Recruitment Program affords an outstanding opportunity for Ontario’s Thoroughbred owners and breeders to access appreciable bonuses and worthwhile incentives to breed racehorses in the province,” said Katherine Curry, Executive Director, Ontario Racing Management. “The MRP serves as another example of Ontario Racing’s commitment to bettering the racing landscape in Ontario, as it works in concert with breeders and owners to boost the number and quality of racehorses in the province.”
Further details of the Mare Recruitment Program, as well as other notable Ontario Racing and TIP programs, are available at here.
