Division of Equine Programs 



Peter Bundy, Director 



Thoroughbred Breeding Program 



Peter Bundy, Supervisor 



The thoroughbred breeding industry continued to con- 

 tribute some $35 million to the Massachusetts 

 economy in 1988, an increase of more than 200 percent 

 over the past five yesirs. During the same period, the 

 amount of farmland devoted to thoroughbred breeding 

 remained at 7,000 acres. Clearly, the breeding and raising 

 of throughbred horses has become a significant force in 

 the Massachusetts economy and a major contributor to 

 the cause of open-space preservation. 



Recognizing the importance of the industry, the Mas- 

 sachusetts Thoroughbred Breeding Program in 1988 con- 

 tinued to encourage and provide incentives for the 

 breeding and raising of thoroughbred horses in the Com- 

 monwealth. Enhanced by legislation passed in 1985, the 

 program now receives one half of one percent of the total 

 amount wagered at Suffolk Downs. That money is used 

 for breeder, owner and stallion owner incentive awards 

 payable to qualified participants in the breeding program. 



Breeder Awards 



At Suffolk Downs and at two agricultural fairs in 

 Massachusetts, throughbred breeders received $322,282 

 in awards in 1988. A breeder is the owner of a mare at the 

 time of her foaling. If certain requirements are met, the 

 breeder becomes eligible to receive breeder incentive 

 awards of 25 percent of the purse won in first-, second-, 

 and third-place finishes at licensed pari-mutuel tracks in 

 Massachusetts. 



Owner Awards 



Owners of Massachusetts throughbreds received 

 $192,985 in incentive awards during 1988. The owner of a 

 Massachusetts-bred horse is the person who owns the 

 horse at the time of its racing. Owner awards are 20-per- 

 cent of purses won in first-, second- and third-place 

 finishes at hcensed tracks in Massachusetts. Owner 

 awards are paid only in open competition. No owner 

 awards are paid for horses running in races restricted to 

 Massachusetts-bred entrants. 



Owners of Massachusetts stallions gleaned $94,476 in 

 awards during the past year. Stalhon owner incentive 

 awards of 15 percent of the purse are paid to owners of 

 registered Massachusetts thoroughbred stallions that 



sired such finishers. The owner of the staUion at the time 

 of service to the dame of such a finisher is the recipient. 



In the past year, Massachusetts registered 

 Thoroughbreds have gone to post 1,562 times at Suffolk 

 and agricultural fairs. These starters have accounted for 

 184 wins, 179 seconds and 192 thirds. Stallion owners 

 reported 329 mares bred to Massachusetts stallions in the 

 same time period. 



Stakes Racing Program 



In the past fiscal year, 10 stake races, with total purses 

 of $235,000, were offered for eligible Massachusetts-bred 

 horses. Of that amount, the program funded $125,000, 

 with the Suffolk Downs Horsemen's account providing 

 $110,000 These restricted races were offered to horses of 

 varying age and gender, and were run over Vcirying distan- 

 ces and under varying conditions. 



Greyhound Breeding Program 



Robert E. Bennett, Supervisor 



The breeding of greyhound racing dogs in the Com- 

 monwealth got off to a running start in 1988, with more 

 than 1000 Massachusetts-bred greyhounds registered for 

 racing from July to the end of the year. During the same 

 period, some 110 greyhound studs were registed with the 

 agency. While the program has just begun, it is anticipated 

 that more than 2,000 greyound pups per year will be 

 registered with the Department of Food and Agriculture. 



Under Chapter 277 of the Acts and Resolves of 1986, 

 the Department of Food and Agriculture's Division of 

 Equine Programs was chosen to administer the states' 

 new Greyhound Breeding Program. The program is 

 funded by one-tenth of one percent of the total handle at 

 the Wonderland and Raynham/Taunton greyhound 

 racetracks, up to a maximum of $300,000 per year. 



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