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 to over $15 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.

PA-Bred Program Totals 2007 – $15,269,480     – 2006 – $6,856,445     1996 – $7,542,558 2005 – 7,208,363     1995 – 6,975,698 2004 – 7,675,111     1994 – 5,948,771 2003 – 8,489,644     1993 – 5,215,948 2002 – 9,280,170     1992 – 4,645,235 2001 – 9,494,572     1991 – 4,343,890 2000 – 8,760,313     1990 – 3,581,981 1999 – 8,145,831     1989 – 3,364,971 1998 – 8,306,144     1988 – 3,976,338 1997 – 8,191,071     1987 – 4,382,411 PA Breeder Awards Paid 2007 – $5,285,557     – 2006 – $2,931,145     1996 – $2,605,826 2005 – 3,184,021     1995 – 2,232,468 2004 – 3,726,988     1994 – 1,825,115 2003 – 3,357,729     1993 – 1,714,887 2002 – 3,630,350     1992 – 1,565,189 2001 – 3,740,558     1991 – 1,434,864 2000 – 3,579,555     1990 – 1,154,913 1999 – 3,126,661     1989 – 955,166 1998 – 3,089,324     1988 – 996,833 1997 – 2,923,596     1987 – 1,071,684 PA Stallion Awards Paid 2007 – $812,122     – 2006 – $525,904     1996 – $408,056 2005 – 528,097     1995 – 367,941 2004 – 516,511     1994 – 328,839 2003 – 577,916     1993 – 302,907 2002 – 626,319     1992 – 275,082 2001 – 638,975     1991 – 244,204 2000 – 643,929     1990 – 220,295 1999 – 526,297     1989 – 167,705 1998 – 536,321     1988 – 168,983 1997 – 472,470     1987 – 174,529

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 and stallion awards), overnight races for PA-Breds, purse bonus supplements, PA-Bred stakes races, and reimbursement of expenses incurred by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association in its role as program administrator. Additionally, moneys 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.