KY Breeders' Incentive Fund Changes Approved
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The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has approved changes to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders' Incentive Fund, including making eligible foals produced from mares bred to Kentucky stallions who are taken out of the state to be sold at public auction.
As a result of the KHRC's unanimous approval of changes June 29, in-utero foals of mares bred to Kentucky stallions who are taken out of the state for sale at auction and are returned to Kentucky within 14 days of the date of the sale can now be eligible for incentives from the fund program, provided all other KTBIF eligibility and fees payment requirements are met.
Previously, the foal of such a mare taken out of the state and sold would not have been eligible for the fund, although offspring of eligible in-foal mares taken out of state for racing or medical purposes were, and still are, eligible.
Also approved was a measure that provides the ability to sanction fund participants found guilty of mistreatment, neglect, or cruelty charges. Both new policies are the result of work by an advisory committee chaired by KHRC member and Gainesway Farm general manager Neil Howard.
As a result of the commission's action, the fund can deny or revoke a qualified winner's earnings and bar from participation in the fund for a period of one to five years if the individual is convicted of cruelty, mistreatment, abuse or neglect of any horse. The earnings can be withheld upon the individual being charged, but will be reinstated or refunded it the charges are dropped.
The disciplinary actions can also be taken against an individual that "engages in conduct that is against the best interest of breeding or horse racing," under the changes approved by the commission.
Established in 2005, KTBIF awards are dispersed to eligible horses that win approved races in the U.S. and Canada, and selected worldwide stakes. The fund receives 80% of all receipts collected from the sales and use tax on the fees paid for breeding a stallion to a mare in Kentucky, and receives additional sources of funding.
In 2014, the KTBIF paid out $10,280,411.21 in rewards.