The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) ("CTHS Ontario"), is pleased to announce significant enhancements to Ontario's Breeders' Awards and breeder incentive programs, made possible through the $5 million increase to Ontario Racing's Thoroughbred Improvement Program ("TIP"), part of the more than $10 million directed to Ontario's Thoroughbred sector under the additional $35 million in annual funding committed by the Government of Ontario.
"This is one of the most significant investments ever made in support of Ontario Thoroughbred breeders. CTHS Ontario members represent the largest stakeholder group in Ontario's Thoroughbred industry," said David Anderson, President of the CTHS Ontario Board of Directors. "Breeders make the greatest long-term commitment in our industry, investing years before a horse ever reaches the starting gate. This funding gives us the opportunity to reinvest in the foundation of our industry, our mares and stallions, and helps restore Ontario's breeding sector to its former strength. It also gives owners a compelling reason to seek out Ontario Bred and Ontario Sired horses at the sales, knowing they are supported by a stronger incentive program."
AWARD ENHANCEMENTS
This investment strengthens the Ontario Bred and Ontario Sired component of Ontario Racing's Thoroughbred Improvement Program including:
- Per-Race Breeders' Awards (Ontario Bred / Ontario Sired) increase by $1,050,000, from $4,750,000 to $5,800,000 with awards rising across the board, from low-level claiming races through to graded stakes.
- Funding for the extremely popular Mare Purchase Program increases from $400,000 to $750,000.
- Ontario Sired Reward of Excellence increases from $150,000 to $200,000.
- Out of Province (Worldwide) Awards increases from $250,000 to $300,000.
- Stallion Awards increase from $320,000 to $500,000.
- Breeders' Awards cap increases from $200,000 to $225,000 per individual breeder.
CTHS SALES GRADUATE STAKES
The CTHS Sales Stakes program will see a historic increase, with $1 million in total purses available across four stakes races on CTHS Sales Stakes Day for the first time. The Muskoka Stakes and Simcoe Stakes will each increase from $200,000 to $300,000. The Algoma Stakes and Elgin Stakes will each double from $100,000 to $200,000. These races will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2026 at Woodbine Racetrack.
CTHS SALES GRADUATE MAIDEN RACES
In 2026, the CTHS Sales Graduate Maiden Allowances Races will receive a one-time funding enhancement, with unused TIP funds from a 2025 maiden allowance race being redirected to increase purses for each of the four races from $75,000 to $86,000.
CTHS ONTARIO BREEDER BONUS PROGRAM
CTHS Ontario has also introduced a new Breeder Bonus Program, offering a $10,000 bonus to the breeder of a CTHS Ontario Yearling Sale graduate that wins an Open Maiden Special Weight race or higher at Woodbine Racetrack. The program rewards breeders who support the CTHS Premier Yearling Sale (September 2, 2026) while enhancing the value of Ontario Bred horses. Full program terms, including eligibility and funding limits, are available from CTHS Ontario.
ONTARIO-BRED BONUSES AND CANADIAN-FOALED STAKES
For the first time, Ontario Bred horses will compete for dedicated TIP-funded bonuses in Canada's classic races, adding $650,000 in new Ontario Bred bonus money to the Canadian Triple Crown and the Canadian Triple Tiara. The first beneficiary is the Woodbine Oaks on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Purses for Canada's premier two-year-old stakes will also rise.
Canadian Triple Crown
- Prince of Wales Stakes (second jewel, Fort Erie Race Track): $500,000, including a $100,000 Ontario Bred bonus.
- Breeders' Stakes (third jewel): $500,000, including a $100,000 Ontario Bred bonus.
Canadian Triple Tiara
- Woodbine Oaks (first leg): contested for $750,000, which now includes a $250,000 Ontario Bred bonus.
- Bison City Stakes (second leg): $350,000, including a $100,000 Ontario Bred bonus.
- Wonder Where Stakes (third leg): $350,000, including a $100,000 Ontario Bred bonus.
Canadian-Foaled 2-Year-Old Stakes
Cup & Saucer Stakes, Princess Elizabeth Stakes and Coronation Futurity: Each increase from $250,000 to $300,000. Unlike the classic races above, these purses do not currently carry an Ontario Bred bonus.
ONTARIO-BRED OLDER HORSE RESTRICTED STAKES SERIES
- 2 Ontario Bred restricted stakes for fillies and mares at 1 mile & 1/8th on turf and 1 mile & 1/16th on Tapeta
- 2 Ontario Bred restricted stakes for colt and geldings at 1 mile & 1/8th on turf and 1 mile & 1/16th on Tapeta.
- $150,000 per Stakes race.
"This investment is real progress, and Ontario's breeders welcome it," said Anderson. "These bonuses reward breeders and owners alike, not only in the classic races, but at every level of racing, and every dollar goes to a horse bred or sired in this province. This funding was committed to protect agriculture and rural jobs. Ontario's breeding farms are where that agriculture is, and where those jobs are. CTHS Ontario will continue to advocate for bonusing Ontario horses, and for Ontario government funding to be directed where it was earmarked."
ONTARIO SIRED STAKES
Ontario Sired stakes will also benefit from enhanced TIP funding, with purses increasing from $100,000 to $150,000 for a number of key races, including the Victorian Queen Stakes, Bull Page Stakes, South Ocean Stakes, Frost King Stakes, Eternal Search Stakes, Overskate Stakes, La Prevoyante Stakes, and Steady Growth Stakes.
The Ontario Sired Heritage Series will also receive a significant enhancement, with remaining legs of the series increasing from $100,000 to $150,000. This includes the Thunder Bay Stakes, Ashbridges Bay Stakes (Final), Lake Superior Stakes, Lake Ontario Stakes (Final) at Woodbine Racetrack, as well as the Rondeau Bay Stakes and Lake Erie Stakes at Fort Erie Race Track.
Effective Dates
The enhanced Breeders' Awards and associated programs will be applied retroactively to July 1, 2026. Increased stakes purses beginning with the Sunday, July 19, 2026 racing card.
CTHS Ontario recognizes the work of its Board of Directors, who advocated for these enhancements on behalf of Ontario's breeders over many months.
"Our board is made up of some of the largest stakeholders in the country with more skin in the game than anyone," said Anderson. "They put their money where their mouth is, and they fight for every breeder in this province. This result belongs to them and to our members, both big and small."
CTHS Ontario extends its sincere appreciation to the Government of Ontario for its continued commitment to horse racing and to Ontario Racing for recognizing the vital role of breeders through this investment in the Thoroughbred Improvement Program.
Complete details of the enhanced Breeders' Awards programs, Breeder Bonus Program, award schedules and eligibility information are available from the CTHS Ontario and Ontario Racing.
This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If there are any questions please contact the organization that produced the release.
