Calumet Farm Leads 2019 KY Breeders' Incentive Awards
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Horses train on Calumet Farm's training track near Lexington
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announced Feb. 21 the release of the 2019 Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders' Incentive Funds, totaling more than $14.3 million. The incentive fund encourages Thoroughbred horse owners and breeders to conduct business in Kentucky, benefiting the state's economy and ensuring horse racing remains one of Kentucky's renowned industries.
Topping the individual allocations was a $349,428 award to Calumet Farm, the historic Kentucky farm that broke a 57-year drought in 2019 by becoming North America's leading breeder by money won for the first time since 1961.
In addition to Calumet, breeders with awards in excess of $100,000 included Brereton Jones ($166,003), Don Alberto Corp. ($127,668), Gainesway Thoroughbreds ($104,687), Gary and Mary West Stables ($193,803), Godolphin ($277,898), Juddmonte Farms ($144,626), Ken and Sarah Ramsey ($189,025), Pin Oak Stud ($108,743), Spendthrift Farm ($150,757), Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings ($232,459), Three Chimneys Farm ($111,792), and WinStar Farm ($241,269).
Other breeders, such as Machmer Hall, surpassed $100,000 in awards when including partnerships.
"It's an honor to recognize Kentucky breeders for their contributions to the horse racing industry," Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement. "The racing industry is paramount to a growing economy as it creates jobs and generates tourism dollars for the Commonwealth."
To qualify for the award, a mare must be nominated for the program and remain in the state from the time of breeding until the birth of the foal. The final award amount is contingent on the foal's eventual earnings at the racetrack, and participants submit applications to KHRC to claim the award.
More than 4,100 races were eligible for awards for KBIF horses winning in Kentucky, the U.S., and graded/group wins in Canada, England, France, and Ireland. This year, the number of breeders awarded total 1,443.
The KBIF is funded through a percentage of the sales and use tax on the fees paid when a stallion is bred to a mare in Kentucky. Since 2006, nearly $170 million has been awarded to breeders for winning eligible races across the globe.
Money allocated in 2020 is for wins in 2019.
A list of award winners and statistics on races awarded is available on the KHRC website.