Ontario-Sired Bonuses to Continue for 2017-18
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Photo: Michael Burns
Racing at Woodbine
Though Ontario-sired bonus payments were reduced for 2016, Woodbine and the Ontario Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Association said there is no plan to eliminate the program for 2017-18.
The announcement was made a little more than a week before the Sept. 1 CHTS Ontario Division Canadian Premier yearling sale "to assure buyers of Ontario-sired yearlings that there is no intention to eliminate the Ontario-sired bonus program during the horse's 2- and 3-year-old campaigns in 2017 and 2018."
Early this year, Woodbine informed horsemen of a reduction in the bonuses for 2016 because payments in previous years exceeded projections. The 40% bonus for all open races was reduced to 30% for allowance and maiden special weight races and 20% for all other eligible races.
Officials said Ontario-sired bonuses totaled $3.6 million in 2014 and $4.4 million in 2015. The amount was reduced to $2 million this year to realign the bonus to the budgeted amount.
Purses and conditions for the 2017 race meet at Woodbine will be hammered out by the track and Ontario HBPA later this year. Overnight purses through Aug. 21 during the current meet have averaged $405,234 in U.S. funds.
The sale, to be held at Woodbine, is offering $100,000 in cash and prizes to those who purchase horses. The sale company also announced that in 2017 at Woodbine there will be four additional races with a minimum purse of $45,000 for 2016 sales graduates.