Incentive Award Program |
 |
Total 2008 Awards California’s Incentive Programs The Racing and Breeding |
Questions and answers concerning California-breds and California’s lucrative incentive awards program, which was responsible for breeders, owners and stallion owners collecting almost $11.5 million for 2008.
Who qualifies for the awards? The breeders and owners of registered California-bred Thoroughbreds and the owners of California-based stallions.
What are Breeders Awards? A monetary award which is paid to the breeder of a registered California-bred Thoroughbred finishing first, second or third in any race run in California and any graded stakes races conducted within the United States. Breeders will receive 75 percent of the remainder of the total incentive award monies after owner awards are paid, with an individual breeder receiving a pro-rated share of this breeders fund. The maximum purse considered earned in any qualifying race within this state shall be $330,000 for a win, $120,000 for a second and $90,000 for a third-place finish. Breeder awards always are paid exclusive of nomination, entry and starting fees.
What are Owners Awards? A monetary award which is paid to the owner of a registered California-bred Thoroughbred horse which runs in qualifying races in California. Owners can receive at least a 20 percent bonus on the finisher’s share for finishing first through fifth in an open allowance or overnight stake race and up to a 20 percent bonus for finishing first in an open starter allowance above $15,000 and open claiming races with a gross purse above the predesignated level. These purse levels are set by a formula in the law which is based on each meeting’s previous year’s average overnight purse. They are purposely set at a high level to encourage the ownership of high-quality runners and to restrict the number of qualifiers so that the awards will function as a major incentive. The minimum qualifying gross purse levels for claiming races in 2009 are listed in the box above. Owner awards always are paid exclusive of nomination, entry and starting fees. They are listed in the racing program and will be distributed at the same time as the purse by the paymaster.
What are Stallion Awards? In order to stimulate the acquisition in California of nationally prominent stallions, and retain high caliber California stallions, monetary awards are paid annually to the owners of registered California stallions whose California conceived or California-bred get have won a qualifying race or have finished first, second, or third in a stakes race in the state or any graded stakes race within the United States during the year. Qualifying races are any nonclaiming races, including maiden allowance and starter allowance races, with a purse of at least $15,000. Claiming races with a gross purse above the level listed in the above box also qualify. Stallion awards are exclusive of nomination, entry and starting fees. Stallions must be registered by Feb. 15 each year to be eligible for stallion awards. Stallion owners will receive 25 percent of the remainder of the total incentive award monies after owners awards are paid, with an individual owner of a registered California stallion (as of December 31) receiving a prorated share of the stallion fund based on the total qualifying earnings of the get during the year. The maximum purse considered earned in any qualifying race within this state shall be $330,000 for a win, $120,000 for a second and $90,000 for a third-place finish. The stallion must be continuously present in California from February 1 to July 15, inclusive, of the calendar year in which the qualifying race was conducted, and if the sire left California after July 15 of the calendar year in which the qualifying race was conducted, the sire returned to and was present in California by February 1 of the following calendar year and thereafter remained until July 15 of that year. The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) will help compile data, but it is the ultimate responsibility of the stallion owner to advise that official registering agency, on or before February 15 of any year, of any and all purses earned during the preceding year that shall be considered in determining the amount of the stallion award to which the owner is entitled.
Does the program include races outside of California? Does the program include races outside of California? Yes. The breeder of a California-bred Thoroughbred finishing first, second or third in a graded stakes outside of California, but within the United States, will be paid a pro-rated share of the breeders fund. The maximum purse considered earned in any race shall be $165,000 for a win, $60,000 for second and $45,000 for a third-place finish. CTBA will help compile data, but it is the ultimate responsibility of the breeder to advise the official registering agency (CTBA), on or before February 15 of any year, of any and all purses earned during the preceding year in graded stakes races outside of this state by horses bred by the breeder. Also, the owner of a registered California stallion whose California conceived or California-bred get finished first, second or third in a graded stakes outside of California, but within the United States, will be paid a pro-rated share of the Stallion fund with the maximum purse considered earned the same as the breeders above.
When are the premiums paid? When are the premiums paid? Owner awards are paid at the same time as the purse by the paymaster. Breeder awards are paid twice a year with a conservative advance payment of 10 percent being paid by September 1 and the final payment for 2009 being paid by March 31, 2010. The stallion awards are paid prior to March 31, 2010.
Are there special racing opportunities for California-breds? Are there special racing opportunities for California-breds? Yes. Racetracks in California are required by law to offer one race per day which is restricted to California-breds. Last year this amounted to 327 additional racing opportunities and over $15 million in additional purses for California-breds. In addition, the California legislature has declared its intent that at least 10 percent of the total stakes purses paid at any race meeting in California be paid on stakes races restricted to registered California-breds. This amounted to over $5.4 million in 2008. Also, in 2009, California Cup XX will be held at Santa Anita Park during the Oak Tree Racing Association meeting on Saturday, October 3, 2009. Total purses for this special 10-race stakes program exclusively for Cal-breds is $1.325 million in 2009. Part of the funding for California Cup XX will come from the incentive award category, the California-bred Race Fund. Ten percent of the total incentive award monies will be used for this category, with the monies funding the promotion of California-bred races, the supplement of purses for Californiabred races and the creation of new California-bred stakes.
What is the definition of a California-bred? The definition of a California-bred is as follows: A California-bred Thoroughbred is a horse dropped in California after being conceived in California, or any Thoroughbred foal dropped by a mare in California if the mare remains in California to be next bred to a Thoroughbred stallion standing in the state. If the mare cannot be bred for two successive seasons, but remains in California during that period, her foal will be considered a California-bred.
How does one register a California-bred? Registration applications must be filed with the CTBA. Only those horses which are both registered with The Jockey Club and fulfill all requirements as outlined in the definition of a California-bred are eligible. The fees for registration are as follows: $100.00 for CTBA members, $125.00 for non-members if applied for by September 30 of foal’s yearling year; $125.00 for CTBA members, $150.00 for non-members if applied for after September 30 of yearling year but before January 1 following; $750.00 if applied for after January 1 of two-year-old year. If desired, application can be made in advance of receipt of Jockey Club Certificates to escape penalty for late filing, but no actual registration will be made until certificates are available. CTBA has representation at California tracks to help facilitate late registrations.
How can I obtain more information? Contact Doug Burge or Mary Ellen Locke at the CTBA offices across the street from the Santa Anita Park racetrack in Arcadia at the address and phone numbers listed here.
Breeder Award Total year end Breeder Awards=$7.603
Million |
Stallion Award Total year end Stallion Awards=$2.534 Million |
If a horse qualified for and earned a
$15,000 purse in a race;
Breeder Award = $15,000 x 14.661% = $2,199.00
Stallion Award = $15,000 x 14.027% = $2,104.05
Owners Awards
From the CTBA Incentive Fund - 20% of the winners share of the purse for a qualifying race shall be distributed as an owner award to a registered Cal-bred thoroughbred horse conceived by a registered eligible thoroughbred stallion, which finishes first in the race. 10% of the winners share of the purse for a qualifying race shall be distributed as an owner award to a registered Cal-bred thoroughbred not conceived by a registered eligible stallion, which finishes first in the race.
Under the CTBA Owner Program - qualifying races are all open allowance races and certain open claiming races with minimum qualifying purse levels. Owners awards are not paid on restricted races. (No Stakes)
TOC Owner Award Program - Guaranteed total of 30% bonus to California-breds finishing 1-5 in open overnight stakes, and 1-5 in open allowance, excluding starter allowance. No bonuses are paid on restricted races. (Those races that CTBA gives a 20% bonus to the winner, the TOC will add 10%).
2009 Minimum Qualifying Purse Levels for Claiming Races
2008 Minimum Qualifying Purse Levels for Claiming Races
2007 Minimum Qualifying Purse Levels for Claiming Races
2006 Minimum Qualifying Purse Levels for Claiming Races
2005 Minimum Qualifying Purse Levels for Claiming Races
2004 Minimum Qualifying Purse Levels for Claiming Races
2003 Minimum Qualifying Purse Levels for Claiming Races
2002 Minimum Qualifying Purse Levels for Claiming Races
2001 Minimum Qualifying Purse Levels for Claiming Races
2000 Minimum Qualifying Purse Levels for Claiming Races
$20 Million in Restricted Racing
There has never been a better time to breed and race California-breds! With
restricted purses worth more than $20 million, and valuable incentive
awards available for breeders, owners and stallion owners totaling an
additional $11 million, it truly does pay to race Cal-breds.
Each racing association in the state is required to offer at least one Cal-bred restricted race per day and allocate at least 10 percent of their total stakes dollars to Cal-bred restricted stakes. The latter has resulted in a stakes program that has 57 races with purses totaling $5 million. By law, approximately 10 percent of the total incentive program revenues are allocated to the Cal-bred race fund. This fund is used to supplement Cal-bred stakes purses, including a large portion for Cal Cup purses, Cal-bred maiden allowance purses, and promotion of Cal-breds in general.
Each fall, CTBA co-sponsors Cal Cup Day in conjunction with the Oak Tree Racing Association and is held during the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita. This celebratory event, inaugurated in 1990, is the highlight of the racing season for California breeders. All races on Cal Cup day are restricted to state breds and currently offers purses of more than $1.275 million to participants. This special day provides California breeders and owners an opportunity to showcase California's finest Thoroughbreds. Cal Cup also features an infield theme party, which includes a fantastic array of food, drink and entertainment in a festive atmosphere that everyone looks forward to each year with great anticipation.
The year 2000 marked the Inaugural California Gold Rush Day at Hollywood Park.This outstanding spring celebration features 10 races and $1.31 million strictly for Cal-breds. The Gold Rush party held in Hollywood Park's elegant Turf Club is fan favorite. The party offers fine cuisine, refreshing beverages, and exciting promotional giveaways throughout the day. The CTBA is proud to be associated with Hollywood Park and this tremendous day of racing for the California-bred.