The 2018/19 Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP), based on the recommendations of the industry representative Thoroughbred Advisory Group and Thoroughbred Working Group, has been approved by the Ontario Racing Board of Directors.

The total 2018 program budget, which is largely funded by the levy on wagering by Ontario customers, is set at $12.74 million, with total race purses and stakes supplements of $9.59 million.

The $12.74 million program includes a voluntary $300,000 contribution from Woodbine Entertainment Group to directly fund opportunities to increase horse supply and additional funding of purses.

2018 HORSE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS FUNDING

Since 2014, HIP Revenues have included approximately $26M in wagering levies from the Pari-Mutuel Tax Reduction (PMTR), as well as a $4 million top-up to bring each of the Standardbred and Thoroughbred Programs to the $15M level. However, due to a change in the funding mechanisms and a decline in Ontario customer wagering levels on both Standardbred and Thoroughbred races, the 2018 Programs have had to be adjusted to accommodate a funding decrease of approximately $2.25M per breed. Overall, the budgeted expenditures for the 2018/19 Thoroughbred Improvement Program will decline by about 15% from the 2017/18 budget.

2018 THOROUGHBRED IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM DETAILS

Breeders Incentives and Other Programs – $2,925K

  • Breeders Awards: $2,593K
  • Equine Research: $25K
  • Fort Erie Owner’s Bonus and Sales Credits: $41K
  • Stallion Awards: $266K

Program Purse Contributions – $6,358K

  • Restricted Overnight – Woodbine: $3,721K
  • Restricted Overnight – Fort Erie: $310K
  • Ontario Bred Purse Bonus – Woodbine: $2,077K
  • Ontario Bred Purse Bonus – Fort Erie: $250K

Thoroughbred Stakes Supplements – $3,233K

  • Triple Crown Series: $492K
  • Canadian Bred Stakes: $365K
  • Ontario Bred Restricted Stakes: $300K
  • Yearling Sales Stakes: $478K
  • Ontario Sire Stakes: $1,59

Administration and Marketing – $228K