Questions & Answers regarding the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund
Keeping it all together!
PHBA is responsible for all aspects of the administration, promotion and development of the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund, and maintenance of the official registry of PA-Bred race horses and Pennsylvania stallions. A not-for-profit organization, the PHBA represents and serves the dues-paying members in every aspect of Pennsylvania’s Thoroughbred breeding industry.
Breeding has its privileges
PA-Breds have preferred starter status in all overnight races at Parx, Penn National and Presque Isle, with the exception of certain races whereby specific conditions outline additional preferences, such as certain turf races and starter handicaps.
In these races, PA-Bred preference is general to the sub-groups of entrants. Lucrative stakes races restricted to PA-Breds are regularly offered throughout the year at Parx, Penn National and Presque Isle. The PA-Sired, PA-Bred Stallion Series offers six stakes races open to PA-Sired 2-year-olds with over $1 million in purses and awards.
Questions and answers regarding the fund
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Pennsylvania’s Breeding Fund Program. For additional information, contact the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association.
1. How does a horse become eligible to participate in this program?
A Thoroughbred foal born in the State of Pennsylvania and registered as such with the Jockey Club is eligible for Pennsylvania-Bred registration with the PHBA if one of the following conditions is met:
For foals of 2018 and thereafter, the dam of the foal resided continuously in Pennsylvania since December 1 of the year of conception through foaling; or
The dam of the foal was purchased at a public sale after December 1 of the year of conception, then brought into Pennsylvania within 14 days of the date of purchase (within 60 days if purchased outside of the U.S.), and remained continuously through foaling. During the year of foaling, the foal or its dam spent at least ninety (90) days in the state. Must be a completed public sale – not an RNA (Reserve Not Attained) or a private transaction after the public sale; or
The dam of the foal arrived after December 1 of the year of conception, foaled in Pennsylvania and was bred back to a registered PA stallion standing in Pennsylvania and the dam of the foal resided sixty (60) consecutive days during the year of foaling.
2. Does the location of the sire affect a horse’s status as a registered PA-Bred?
Unlike some states, Pennsylvania has no ‘breed-back’ requirement or similar rule relating to a covering stallion. However, PA-Breds sired by registered Pennsylvania stallions earn significantly larger awards for their breeders.
3. What is the procedure for registering a PA-Bred?
Reference www.pabred.com for forms or contact the PHBA. Return the fully completed form, along with the required W-9 form, copy of the Jockey Club certificate and correct fee to the PHBA. That’s all there is to it! The registration will remain in effect for the rest of the horse’s life.
4. How much does PA-Bred Registration cost?
PHBA members pay $100 for applications postmarked within 365 days of the foaling date; $200 for applications postmarked by December 31 of the yearling year. Fees for non-PHBA members are $300 and $400 respectively. Registration applications beyond December 31 of the yearling year are considered Late Applications for Registration. Please note there is a late, nonrefundable $500 registration fee with a mandatory 10 day waiting period prior to entry.
5. How are the breeder awards calculated?
The breeder of a registered PA-Bred receives an award whenever that PA-Bred finishes first, second or third in any pari-mutuel race in the state. For PA-Breds sired by registered Pennsylvania stallions, the award (PA-Sired breeder award) amounts to 50 percent for maiden races and 40 percent in all other races of the purse earned. For those sired by out-of-state stallions, the award (non-PA-Sired breeder award) is 25 percent (maiden races) and 20 percent (all other races).
6. How are Breeder Awards calculated?
The Breeder of a registered PA-Bred receives an Award whenever that PA-Bred finishes first, second or third in any pari-mutuel race in the state. For PA-Breds sired by registered Pennsylvania stallions, the Award (PA-Sired Breeder Award) amounts to 40 percent (50 percent maiden) of purse share earned. For those sired by out-of-state stallions, the Award (non-PA-Sired Breeder Award) is 20 percent (25 percent maiden).
7. What about the “Owner Bonus” program?
The Pennsylvania-Bred “Owner Bonus” program rewards the owners of PA-Breds finishing first, second and third in designated overnight races at PARX, Penn National and Presque Isle Downs. Bonuses are a designated percentage of purse share, and are considered part of a horse’s official earnings. Bonuses are deposited directly into owners’ accounts when purses are released. The sum of the bonus and the original purse share provides the basis for Breeder, Stallion, and Owners awards earned. The “Owner Bonus” varies at each track and may be adjusted at the discretion of the respective Horsemen’s organization and the PHBA.
8. Do Pennsylvania-based stallions earn Awards also?
When a registered PA-Bred, by a registered Pennsylvania stallion, finishes first, second or third in any pari-mutuel race in the state, an amount equal to 10 percent of the purse share earned (Stallion Award) is paid to the owner of the stallion at the time of conception.
9. What is the definition of a “registered Pennsylvania stallion”?
A registered Pennsylvania stallion is a Thoroughbred stallion who stands regularly in Pennsylvania and is registered as a Pennsylvania stallion with the PHBA.
10. How does one register a Pennsylvania stallion?
PHBA provides applications to be completed by the stallion’s owner and returned to the PHBA along with the $500 registration fee by February 15th of the breeding season. Late registrations will be accepted until December 31st for $1,000.
11. Is the stallion then registered for life, or must this process be repeated annually?
Unless major changes occur, registration takes effect at the beginning of the breeding season of the year in which the stallion was registered and remains valid for life. Re-registration is necessary only if:
1. The stallion leaves Pennsylvania to stand in another state, excluding the Southern Hemisphere, and subsequently returns, or
2. More than 50 percent of his ownership changes.
12. If a stallion is relocated from Pennsylvania to stand elsewhere, are awards still paid?
Yes – A stallion owner or designee will be paid awards earned by any registered PA-Breds conceived during the stallion’s effective term of registration.
13. How and when are Awards paid?
Breeder and stallion awards are processed monthly by the PHBA. Recipients are notified of their pending award, usually within 30 days after the end of the month in which it was earned; payment should be received within another 60 days. PA-Bred owner bonuses are paid at the time of purse release and are deposited directly into owners’ accounts at the particular track. For first-time breeder awards earners, the PHBA will notify breeders to contact The State of Pennsylvania to have a vendor number assigned for processing and payment of those breeder awards. After the vendor number is assigned, the breeders awards can then be processed and paid.
14. When ownership of a PA-Bred or a Pennsylvania sire changes, who receives the awards?
The breeder of record remains the same no matter who subsequently owns the horse; thus, the breeder continues to receive any applicable breeder awards. PA-Bred owner bonuses are paid to the horse’s licensed owner at the time the bonus was earned. A stallion owner receives awards earned by eligible PA-Breds conceived during his tenure as owner and continues to do so if the stallion is sold, even if the stallion is no longer at stud in Pennsylvania.
15. Can out-of-state residents participate in the Pennsylvania breeding program?
Yes – There are no residency requirements for owners and/or breeders.
Please contact us with any other questions you may have. Visit pabred.com or call 610.444.1050.