Woodbine Plans Cuts to Ontario Sires Bonuses

Officials from the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, Ontario Division, and Woodbine Entertainment Group plan to meet in the near future to discuss reductions in Ontario Sire purse bonuses for 2016.

Earlier this week Woodbine director of racing Steve Lym sent a letter to horsemen informing them that because the amount of Ontario Sires bonuses paid out in the past two years has far exceeded expectations, bonuses will be greatly reduced in 2016. After paying out $4.4 million in bonuses in 2015, Woodbine said the program would be reduced to approximately $3 million in 2016.

In 2013 and 2014, the purse bonus had been at 40% for all open races (except for horses that had been claimed and racing below $20,000). In its letter to horsemen, Woodbine said it planned to reduce that rate to 30% in allowance races and 20% in maiden special weights.

Also the track said it would be reducing the number of races restricted to horses in the Ontario Sires program. Maiden Ontario Sires races for 3-year-olds and older will be eliminated and maiden Ontario Sires races for 3-year-olds will be offered only until mid-summer. Woodbine will continue to offer maiden races for juveniles through season's end.

"As declining horse supply becomes a growing factor, WEG can no longer support a parallel program of open races and restricted OS races," Woodbine wrote in the letter to horsemen.

The CTHS sent a follow-up letter to Woodbine expressing concern that it was not included in decision-making on how to move forward with the program. CTHS officials said Woodbine officials have agreed to meet in the near future to discuss the program.

"The CTHS Ontario had no participation in the construction of these changes and was only advised of them very recently," the group informed members in a release. "A letter was sent by the CTHS on 1/26/16 to WEG expressing our grave concerns about the direction they were taking and requested immediate dialogue. Both parties have subsequently agreed to a meeting in the very near future."

While that meeting could generate some changes, CTHS Ontario acknowledges reductions of some kind will be needed.

"While unfortunate, the CTHS understands the need to reduce the Ontario Sired bonus percentages, as OSS progeny earnings have exceeded estimates," the CTHS said in its release. 

Woodbine said the changes were needed because a 2012 projection that the bonus payouts would be about $2 million a year proved well short of the $3.6 million paid in 2014 and $4.4 million paid last year.

An Ontario Sire purse bonus of 40% in all open races was introduced (except for horses that have been claimed and racing below $20,000). The bonus projection was expected to be approximately $2 million annually based on 2013 results. The purse bonus paid was $3.6 million in 2014 and $4.4 million in 2015.

"As the purse expense relating to the bonus has far exceeded expectations and affordability, the bonus will need to be reduced approximately $1.4 million for the 2016 race season," Woodbine wrote in its letter to horsemen.

The track said the purse bonuses will be monitored closely in 2016 and potentially could be adjusted, if required. Woodbine added that the track is not planning any changes to base purses in 2016.