The Minnesota Breeders' Fund Thoroughbred Advisory Committee has authorized the addition of $5,000 MBF dollars to each of the six thoroughbred Minnesota Festival of Champions stakes races on Saturday, Sept. 5. The advisory committee also approved adding $2,000 to the two undercard state-bred races that night. The Minnesota Breeders' Fund has a projected underpayment this year based on less-than-anticipated MBF supplements in open company races.
The Northern Lights Futurity and Northern Lights Debutante will now offer purses of $80,000. The Crocrock Sprint, Bella Notte Sprint, Princess Elaine Turf Distaff and Blair's Cove Turf will each be worth $55,000.
The Minnesota Breeders' Fund Quarter Horse Advisory Committee also approved purse increases for the Minnesota Quarter Horse Futurity and Minnesota Quarter Horse Derby adding $1,000 to the existing $40,000 added purses. Those two Minnesota Festival races will be run Thursday, Sept. 3.
"Minnesota-bred racehorses are the centerpiece of our state's agriculture and breeding industry," Canterbury Park general manager John Groen said. "We're excited to offer additional purse funds for the best of our champion state-bred horses."
The Minnesota Festival of Champions, which originated in 1992, has been a highlight of the racing calendar at Canterbury Park each season. It was designed to both showcase the best state-breds in training through a restricted day of races and to emphasize the importance of the breeding industry in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Breeders' Fund was established by the state legislature in 1983 and tasked with creating policies that incentivize the breeding and racing of quality horses, thus expanding the economic footprint of the racing industry in the State of Minnesota while increasing the inventory of racehorses to supplement the racing programs at the state's two parimutuel racetracks.
The 2026 Minnesota Thoroughbred Yearling Sale will be held Sunday, Sept. 6 at 5:30 p.m. following an afternoon of racing. The sales catalogue containing the 22 consigned yearlings can be found at https://www.canterburypark.com/horse-sale-2026/
