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 2008 – $21,702,888     1997 – $8,191,071 2007 – 15,269,480     1996 – 7,542,558 2006 – 6,856,445     1995 – 6,975,698 2005 – 7,208,363     1994 – 5,948,771 2004 – 7,675,111     1993 – 5,215,948 2003 – 8,489,644     1992 – 4,645,235 2002 – 9,280,170     1991 – 4,343,890 2001 – 9,494,572     1990 – 3,581,981 2000 – 8,760,313     1989 – 3,364,971 1999 – 8,145,831     1988 – 3,976,338 1998 – 8,306,144     1987 – 4,382,411 PA Breeder Awards Paid 2008 – $6,632,330     1997 – $2,923,596 2007 – 5,285,557     1996 – 2,605,826 2006 – 2,931,145     1995 – 2,232,468 2005 – 3,184,021     1994 – 1,825,115 2004 – 3,726,988     1993 – 1,714,887 2003 – 3,357,729     1992 – 1,565,189 2002 – 3,630,350     1991 – 1,434,864 2001 – 3,740,558     1990 – 1,154,913 2000 – 3,579,555     1989 – 955,166 1999 – 3,126,661     1988 – 996,833 1998 – 3,089,324     1987 – 1,071,684 PA Stallion Awards Paid 2008 – $897,546     1997 – $472,470 2007 – 812,122     1996 – 408,056 2006 – 525,904     1995 – 367,941 2005 – 528,097     1994 – 328,839 2004 – 516,511     1993 – 302,907 2003 – 577,916     1992 – 275,082 2002 – 626,319     1991 – 244,204 2001 – 638,975     1990 – 220,295 2000 – 643,929     1989 – 167,705 1999 – 526,297     1988 – 168,983 1998 – 536,321     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.