THOROUGHBRED HORSE PROGRAM 

 Pete Bundy, Supervisor 



The Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeding Program was greatly enlarged 

 in November of 1981 with the passage of Chapter 558 of the General Laws of 

 1981. 



Previously, the program was strictly a breeder and stallion incentive 

 award program. Cash prizes of 20% of purse monies won were awarded to 

 breeders of winning thoroughbred horses. An additional 5% of purse monies 

 won was awarded to the owner of the registered Massachusetts Thoroughbred 

 stallion which sired the winner. These purse monies had to be won at Massa- 

 chusetts thoroughbred race tracks. 



With passage of the new legislation, the breeder awards have been 

 increased to 25%, and stallion owners' awards to 15% of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd 

 place purse monies won. Also, an owners' award of 5% of purses won has been 

 established. The new law also provides for funding of purse monies for stakes 

 races restricted to Massachusetts bred Thoroughbred horses. 



Obviously, the intent of this legislation is to promote the breeding of 

 Thoroughbred horses in the Commonwealth, and to encourage "horse-farming" and 

 the preservation of agricultural land in Massachusetts. 



The Thoroughbred Breeding Program is now funded from 80% of one-Quarter of 

 one percent of the total handle at Suffolk Downs. The remaining 20% of one- 

 Quarter of one percent is used to help fund equine research and scholarships at 

 Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine. These monies are subject to appropriation 

 by the Massachusetts legislature. 



Another step in enhancing Thoroughbred Breeding in the State was the funding 

 of the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association in 1981. This group has 

 been working with our Department of Food and Agriculture, and has been most 

 helpful in promoting Thoroughbred breeding in Massachusetts. 



As a result of the new program, several new Thoroughbred stallions have been 

 brought to Massachusetts to stand at stud. Most of these stallions have excellent 

 bloodlines, and mare owners in the state will be anxious to breed to them. New 

 breeders are registering foals, and the Thoroughbred census in the state appears 

 to have nearly doubled, though it is too early in the program to estimate an 

 accurate picture of the census three or four years hence. 



In the fiscal year July 1st, 1981-June 30, 1982, breeder, owner, and stallion 

 awards amounted to $222,814,25 for Massachusetts-bred thoroughbreds racing at 

 Suffolk Downs and three agricultural fairs. In this period, Massachusetts-bred 

 went postward 1,179 times accounting for 139 wins, 169 2nds , and 136 thirds. 



55 



