HRA Announces 2023 Funding for Breed Improvement and Racehorse Procurement Incentive Programs

Each breed organization has specific and unique ways for distributing the funds with the common goal of getting money into the industry to help offset the costs of horse acquisition.

These are the funding amounts and the programs for 2023.

Breed Improvement Program Funding

Allocation:

The total budget for 2023 for the Breed Improvement Program is set at $3,900,000 to be split as follows:

• Thoroughbreds - $2,164,110

• Standardbreds - $1,301,820

• Other Breeds - $434,070

The following is a brief breakdown of how the money will be allocated by each association.

Thoroughbreds:

CTHS Alberta Division, HBPA, and ACTRA Breed Improvement Program Budget $2,164,110 Association and Related Support

This part of the budget includes operational grants for sales promotion, sponsorships, specialized publications, statistical reviews, and administration. It also provides Awards Night support including trophy sponsorship and plaques, and funds the Alberta Fall Classic Sponsorship.

Total funding $371,000

Owners’ Breeding Support

Owners receive support in various ways, including through Alberta foaled racing bonuses for placing top three in sanctioned races. Purses for Alberta Bred restricted races, Alberta Breeders’ Fall Classic, Community Racing Alberta Bred Stakes purses, and Alberta Yearling Sales Stakes races are derived from this part of the budget.

Total funding $1,105,000

Breeders’ Support

This includes the Breeders’ bonuses for Alberta foals who finish top three in sanctioned races and the new Foal Incentive Program. Breeders who breed a maiden mare or an open mare from 2022 will receive $2,500 per mare when bred to an Alberta stallion. Also, breeders with in-foal mares that have not foaled in Alberta in 2021 and 2022 will be eligible for $5,000.

Total funding $613,110

Stallion Owners Breeding Awards

The Stallion bonus is awarded to stallions who have progeny with earnings over $10,000 and who stood in Alberta for the entire year.

Total funding $75,000

Standardbreds:

ASHA Breed Improvement Program Budget $1,301,820

Association Support

This includes the Operational Grant, ASHA Breeder Support for the Yearling Sale and promotion, the 4-H Program, and Awards Night.

Total $220,000

Breed Support

This provides purse money for the Alberta Sires Stake Program.

Total $480,000

The Breeders Bonus program offers funding to the owner of mares that are bred to stallions registered with the Alberta Sires Stakes program. Earnings of Alberta-sired horses aged two through four, inclusive of stakes race earnings and out of province earnings, are eligible for a share of the annual bonus pool.

Total $451,820

The ASHA 3-year-old Filly and 3-year-old Colts and Geldings Breeder Stakes are funded through the program at $75,000 each.

Total $150,000

Other Breeds/AQHRA:

AQHRA Breed Improvement Program Budget

$434,070

Association and Related Support

This includes funding for the association, awards night support, Horse Industry of Alberta support, Canada QH Cup sale promotion, and marketing.

Total $78,650

Breeding Support

The Stallion Stakes Program composed of the Alberta Stallion Stakes Futurity, Derby, and Maturity Series is part of the breeding support funding allocation. The Alberta Bred Stakes Program, which includes the Futurity, Derby, and Maturity for Alberta Breds, is part of this program as well, as is the Yearling Sale Stakes Program which is linked to the Canada Quarter Horse Cup Futurity, Derby, and Classic. The Aged Series for Alberta Bred restricted or preferred is the fourth component of this funding.

Total $252,705

Shared Owner/Breeder/Stallion Bonuses

This part of the funding covers the Foaled in Alberta Stakes Race Bonus for owner and breeder, the Foaled in Alberta Overnight Race Bonus prorated between owner and breeder, the Stallion Owner’s Bonus of horses foaled in Alberta, and the AQHRA Sale Futurity.

Total $102,715

Racehorse Procurement Incentive Program (RPIP) Funding:

The total program allocation of $500,000 will be split between the Racing Associations/Tracks as follows:

• HBPA - $200,000

• ASHA - $200,000

• AQHRA - $50,000

• ACTRA / “B” Tracks - $50,000

The programs have been approved by the Board of HRA for 2023. For specific information and program details, please visit the following websites:

• Thoroughbred: hbpaalberta.ca; cthsalta.com; actraracing.ca

• Standardbred: asha.ab.ca

• Quarter Horses: aqhra.ca