Pennsylvania’s Breeding Fund Program distributes more money, on a per foal basis, than nearly every other state-bred program now in operation. Established in 1974, the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund has grown from a disbursement of $65,000 in its initial year of operation and is expected to increase to $20 million annually.

Thoroughbred breeding and racing is a high-risk enterprise, but for breeders of PA-Breds, owners of stallions standing in this state, and owners of PA-Breds racing at Philadelphia Park, Penn National and Presque Isle, the added rewards can be one factor that makes for a winning stable.

The Pennsylvania Breeding Fund is financed by a percentage of the state’s total Thoroughbred pari-mutuel handle and slot revenues. It provides for individual award payments (breeder, stallion and owner awards), overnight races for PA-Breds, purse bonus supplements, PA-Bred stakes races, and reimbursement of expenses incurred by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association (PHBA) in its role as program administrator. Additionally, monies from each Thoroughbred track’s daily handle are allotted to owner bonuses earned by PA-Breds at that track.

While benefitting owners and breeders with its incentive awards, the Fund serves a wider purpose, helping to support live racing at Philadelphia Park, Penn National and Presque Isle. By making it worthwhile for owners to race their PA-Breds in their native state, the Breeding Fund program channels a steady supply of competitive runners to the Pennsylvania tracks, and makes it less likely that our homegrown product will be lured to competing race tracks within the region.

Pennsylvania’s Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry contributes approximately $600 million annually to the state’s economy, so it is clear that the state has a vested interest in supporting these activities.