At a recent meeting of the Ontario Racing Commission, the Board approved a proposal received from the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society – Ontario Division (CTHS) to extend the deadlines for mares under the Ontario Resident Mare Program affecting the 2014 foaling season. This change to the Thoroughbred Improvement Program has been approved for this year only, as a special exemption to the approved Criteria – normal deadlines will remain for future years.
Ontario Bred status is applied to the foal, where the mare has been approved as an Ontario Resident Mare. For the 2014 foaling year only, the deadline for mares to be in the Province has been extended to December 1, 2013, where the mare remains in Ontario until after foaling out. Mares can also qualify as an Ontario Resident Mare by serving a specified number of days surrounding foaling out. For the 2014 foaling year only this has been reduced from 150 days to 90 days.
In reaching their conclusion, the Board carefully considered the current circumstances and the relative benefits of varying the established rules. The Board received and considered the proposal from the CTHS, as well as the input received from industry stakeholders through the public consultation phase. The Board’s decision to approve the changes was based on the expressed concern regarding the 2014 Ontario Bred foal crop size and the impact of the recent announcements by Government in encouraging participation in the Ontario Program.
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