Ontario Sires Stakes

Sponsor: Ontario Horse Improvement Program, as administered by Ontario Racing (OR).
Eligibility:

Foals of 2021 and 2022. To be raced as 2 and 3-year-old trotting and pacing colts, fillies and geldings in 2024 and 2025.

Yearlings conceived as the result of a mating between a mare in the Northern Hemisphere and a stallion that stood the entire Northern Hemisphere breeding season in Ontario, providing that the stallion was duly registered with the Ontario Sires Stakes Program for the appropriate breeding season, can be nominated to the Ontario Sires Stakes if they meet the following requirements. 

a) The nominated yearling must be registered with Standardbred Canada or the United States Trotting Association at the time of nomination. Any foal registered with the USTA that does not meet the registry requirements set out by Standardbred Canada shall not be eligible to be nominated to the OSS. Yearlings registered off the continent of North America may be accepted on an individual basis provided a copy of the home country registration certificate accompanies the nomination fee.

b) The OSS will not recognize foals as twins if produced through embryo/ovum transfer. If such foals were produced through embryo/ovum transfer, only the donor mare’s first born foal, registered with either Standardbred Canada or the USTA, will be eligible for nomination. 

c) Foals conceived from frozen semen will be eligible to the OSS program only if the semen was collected and frozen in Ontario and is from a stallion that was registered for the OSS program both at the time of collection and when the mare was inseminated. The semen must have been obtained through the OSS registered owner, lessee or Syndicate.

 

 

Province: ON
2-year-old Colt Trot

Gold Leg 1 - Mohawk July 9, 2024
Gold Leg 2 - Mohawk July 25, 2024
Gold Mid Season Final / Consolation: Mohawk Aug 5, 2024
Gold Leg 4 - Grand River Sep 6, 2024
Gold Leg 5 - Mohawk Sep 30, 2024
Gold Super Final - Mohawk Oct 12, 2024

Grassroots 1 - Mohawk July 12, 2024
Grassroots 2 - Mohawk July 30, 2024
Grassroots 3 - Kawartha Downs Aug 9, 2024
Grassroots 4 - Mohawk Sep 3, 2024
Grassroots 5 - Grand River Sep 13, 2024
Grassroots Consolation - Mohawk Sep 27, 2024
Grassroots Final - Mohawk Sep 28, 2024

2-year-old Colt Pace

Gold Leg 1 - Mohawk July 5, 2024
Gold Leg 2 - Mohawk July 15, 2024
Gold Mid Season Final / Consolation - Aug 15, 2024
Gold Leg 4 - Mohawk Aug 31, 2024
Gold Leg 5 - Mohawk Oct 3, 2024
Gold Super Final - Mohawk Oct 12,2024

Grassroots 1 - Mohawk July 8, 2024
Grassroots 2 - Mohawk July 18, 2024
Grassroots 3 - Hiawartha Aug 17, 2024
Grassroots 4 - Mohawk Aug 30, 2024
Grassroots 5 - Hanover Sep 14, 2024
Grassroots Consolation - Mohawk Sep 27, 2024
Grassroots Final- Mohawk Sep 28, 2024

3-year-old Colt Trot

Gold Leg 1 - Mohawk May 25, 2024
Gold Leg 2 - Mohawk June 27, 2024
Gold Mid Season Final / Consolation - Mohawk July 13, 2024
Gold Leg 4 - Grand River Aug 14, 2024
Gold Leg 5 - Mohawk Sep 30, 2024
Gold Super Final - Mohawk Oct 12, 2024

Grassroots 1 - Flamboro May 19, 2024
Grassroots 2 - Dresden July 1, 2024
Grassroots 3 - Mohawk July 15, 2024
Grassroots 4 - Mohawk Aug 20, 2024
Grassroots 5 - Mohawk Sep 12, 2024
Grassroots Consolation - Mohawk Sep 27, 2024
Grassroots Final - Mohawk Sep 28, 2024

3-year-old Colt Pace

Gold Leg 1 - Mohawk May 25, 2024
Gold Leg 2 - Rideau Carleton June 23, 2024
Gold Mid Season Final / Consolation - Mohawk July 20, 2024
Gold Leg 4 - Mohawk Aug 16, 2024
Gold Leg 5 - Mohawk Sep 26, 2024
Gold Super Final - Mohawk Oct 12, 2024

Grassroots 1 - Western Fair May 31, 2024
Grassroots 2 - Mohawk June 18, 2024
Grassroots 3 - Mohawk July 19, 2024
Grassroots 4 - Grand River Aug 5, 2024
Grassroots 5 - Mohawk Sep 16, 2024
Grassroots Consolation - Mohawk Sep 27, 2024
Grassroots Final - Mohawk Sep 28, 2024

2-year-old Filly Trot

Gold Leg 1 - Mohawk July 11, 2024
Gold Leg 2 - Mohawk July 25, 2024
Gold Mid Season Final / Consolation - Mohawk Aug 5, 2024
Gold Leg 4 - Grand River Sep 6, 2024
Gold Leg 5 - Mohawk Sep 30, 2024
Gold Super Final - Mohawk Oct 12, 2024

Grassroots 1 - Mohawk July 16, 2024
Grassroots 2 - Mohawk July 30, 2024
Grassroots 3 - Mohawk Aug 6, 2024
Grassroots 4 - Hiawartha Sep 7, 2024
Grassroots 5 - Grand River Sep 16, 2024
Grassroots Consolation - Mohawk Sep 27, 2024
Grassroots Final- Mohawk Sep 28, 2024

2-year-old Filly Pace

Gold Leg 1 - Mohawk July 6, 2024
Gold Leg 2 - Mohawk July 16, 2024
Gold Mid Season Final / Consolation - Mohawk Aug 15, 2024
Gold Leg 4 - Mohawk Aug 31, 2024
Gold Leg 5- Mohawk Oct 3, 2024
Gold Super Final - Mohawk Oct 12, 2024

Grassroots 1 - Mohawk July 9, 2024
Grassroots 2 - Kawartha July 19, 2024
Grassroots 3 - Mohawk Aug 17, 2024
Grassroots 4 - Clinton Sep 1, 2024
Grassroots 5 - Mohawk Sep 17, 2024
Grassroots Consolation - Sep 27, 2024
Grassroots Final - Mohawk Sep 28, 2024

3-year-old Filly Trot

Gold Leg 1 - Mohawk May 27, 2024
Gold Leg 2 - Mohawk June 17, 2024
Gold Mid Season Final / Consolation - Mohawk June 6, 2024
Gold Leg 4 - Grand River Aug 12, 2024
Gold Leg 5 - Mohawk Sep 30, 2024
Gold Super Final - Mohawk Oct 12, 2024

Grassroots 1 - Mohawk May 30, 2024
Grassroots 2 - Mohawk June 20, 2024
Grassroots 3 - Clinton July 7, 2024
Grassroots 4 - Georgian Downs Aug 11, 2024
Grassroots 5 - Mohawk Sep 10, 2024
Grassroots Consolation - Mohawk Sep 27, 2024
Grassroots Final- Mohawk Sep 28, 2024

3-year-old Filly Pace

Gold Leg 1 - Mohawk May 25, 2024
Gold Leg 2 - Rideau Carlton June 23, 2024
Gold Mid Season Final / Consolation- Mohawk July 20, 2024
Gold Leg 4 - Mohawk Aug 23, 2024
Gold Leg 5 - Mohawk Sep 26, 2024
Gold Super Final -  Mohawk Oct 12, 2024

Grassroots 1 - Mohawk May 24, 2024
Grassroots 2 - Mohawk June 21, 2024
Grassroots 3 - Mohawk Aug 2, 2024
Grassroots 4 - Hanover Aug 24, 2024
Grassroots 5 - Mohawk Sep 13, 2024
Grassroots Consolation - Mohawk Sep 27, 2024
Grassroots Final  - Mohawk Sep 28, 2024

Payment Schedule:
Three-Year-Old Payments:
For foals of 2021, nominated to the OSS as yearlings in 2022
Sustaining Fee: February 15, 2024 $800 (630 USD)
Two-Year-Old Payments:
For foals of 2022, nominated to the OSS as yearlings in 2023
Sustaining Fee: March 15, 2024 $600 (TBA USD) (only required if intending to race at 2yo)

For foals of 2022 who were NOT nominated to the OSS as yearlings in 2023
Two-year-old Late Nomination Fee: March 15, 2024 $1,500 (USD -TBA) (If the two-year-old will race in the OSS in 2024, the 2YO sustaining fee ($600/ USD -TBA) is also required.)
Yearling Payments:
For foals of 2023
Yearling Nomination Fee: May 15, 2024 $100 USD -TBA
OR Yearling Late Nomination Fee: August 15, 2024 $500 USD -TBA
Fee Notes:

As a courtesy, the OSS Administration will make every effort to advise nominators of future sustaining payments but it is the responsibility of the owner of the eligible colt, filly or gelding to ensure that future sustaining payments are made whether or not a notice has been received. Failure to make a payment when due constitutes automatic withdrawal from racing in the stakes events of that year.

It is recommended that payments be sent by registered mail.

Nomination and sustaining payments can be paid to the Ontario Sires Stakes directly or by credit card through SC Stakes Online by clicking here.
 

 

Conditions:

 

Money Division:

Gold Series events with five or fewer starters, Grassroots Series Legs, Prospect Series Legs,
Prospect Series Finals:

Five (5) or more starters: 50-25-12-8-5%; Four (4) starters: 50-25-15-10%; Three (3) starters: 60-30-10%; Two (2) starters: 65-35%; One (1) starter: 100%. 

Gold Series events; Grassroots Finals/Consolations; Grassroots Legs with 11 starters or multiple trailers:
All finishers in the race will receive money. The winner of the race will receive 50% of the total purse; one percent (1%) of the total purse will be paid to each horse finishing sixth through last; the remainder of the purse for the race will be divided 50-24-16-10% for the horses finishing second through fifth.

Gold and Grassroots Series events, AGCO Rule 11.02.01 (and associated rules):
AGE & GAIT RACETRACK SIZE

1/2 mile 5/8 mile 7/8 mile or greater
2-year-old pacers 2:03 2:01 2:00
2-year-old trotters 2:09 2:06 2:05
3-year-old pacers 2:00 1:58 1:57
3-year-old trotters 2:05 2:02 2:01 

Gait:

Any eligible colt, gelding or filly changing gait after the sustaining payment in either year will be eligible to race on the gait adopted.

Currency:

All amounts are in Canadian funds, unless otherwise indicated.

Racing Conditions:

Ontario Racing (OR), as Program Administrator, reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to make any adjustments, changes or cancellations as deemed required. By participating in the OSS Program, the participants acknowledge and agree that Ontario Racing will not be held liable for any costs associated with any changes to the OSS Program.
 

All OSS races shall be conducted in accordance with the AGCO Rules of Standardbred Racing and individual racetrack rules approved by the AGCO. Racetrack retention barn rules may apply. All participants are strongly advised to make themselves familiar with rules specifically related to the OSS. Each of the events shall be raced at a distance of one mile.
Horses sustained to the OSS program may be subject to testing under the Out Of Competition Program.
To be raced at Ontario pari-mutuel tracks. The assignment of OSS events to Ontario racetracks will be within the sole discretion of Ontario Racing. The 2024 schedule can be viewed at oss.ontarioracing.com/schedule.

Gold, Grassroots and Prospect Series Legs are numbered one (1) through five (5) and horses are eligible to be entered in the same numbered leg of only one Series, unless a Prospect Series Leg does not fill, in which case a horse may enter the same numbered Grassroots or Gold Series Leg.
(I.e. a horse that competes in Gold Leg 1 is not eligible for Grassroots Leg 1 or Prospect Series Legs 1A or 1B.) Horses may not enter their respective Gold Mid-Season Final/Consolation and Grassroots Series Leg 3.
Points are awarded in each Gold, Grassroots and Prospect Series Leg as follows:
First – 50 points
Second – 25 points
Third – 12 points
Fourth – 8 points
Fifth – 5 points
Sixth – 3 points
Seventh – 2 points
Eighth – 1 point

GOLD SERIES:
In 2024 the Gold Series will consist of:
Four (4) Legs $190,000 per Leg, split between divisions OR $140,000 if a single division is required Mid-Season Final $150,000 per Final Mid-Season Consolation $40,000 per Consolation (minimum six (6) entrants required) Super Final $300,000 per Super Final. The Gold Series will consist of four (4) legs in each of the eight (8) age, sex and gait categories,
for a total of 32 events, a Mid-Season Final and Consolation, and Super Final for each category. Six entrants are required to card a Mid-Season Consolation. If more horses declare to start in an event than is permitted at that racetrack, the event shall be split into the appropriate number of divisions with entries seeded by lot.
Gold, Grassroots and Prospect Series events will be numbered, and horses cannot be entered in a Gold and a Grassroots or Prospect Series event of the same number. Horses may not compete in their respective Gold Mid-Season Final/Consolation and Grassroots Series or Prospect Series Leg 3. Horses can only compete in one Series Final, unless they were an also eligible and did not draw in, or they won their respective Grassroots Final and entered the corresponding Super Final which did not fill with Gold Series point earners. Horses will earn points (as detailed above) in the first two Gold Series Legs (1 and 2) to qualify for their respective Gold Mid-Season Final/Consolation. The top 10 point earners to enter will draw into the Gold Mid-Season Final, the next 10 point earners to enter will draw into the Consolation. The number of starters in the Final and Consolation will be limited to 10. A horse must start in a minimum of one (1) Gold Series Leg to be eligible to enter its respective Gold Mid-Season Final/Consolation.
Gold Mid-Season Consolations require six (6) entrants to be contested. If a Gold Mid-Season Consolation does not fill, those horses entered will be permitted to enter Grassroots Leg 3. Points will not be awarded in Gold Mid-Season Finals/Consolations. Horses will earn points (as detailed above) in all of the Gold Series Legs (1, 2, 4 and 5) to qualify for their respective Gold Super Final. A horse must start in a minimum of one (1) Gold Series Leg to be eligible to enter its respective Gold Super Final.

In 2024, the purse for each Gold Series Leg will be $190,000 (guaranteed; HIP contribution plus starting fees), split evenly between divisions. If a single division is required, the purse will be $140,000 (guaranteed; HIP contribution plus starting fees). In 2024, the starting fee for all Gold Series Legs will be $900 and will be part of the guaranteed purse, not added on to the guaranteed amount.
The purse for each Gold Mid-Season Final will be $150,000 (guaranteed; HIP contribution). The purse for each Gold Mid-Season Consolation will be $40,000 (guaranteed; HIP contribution $20,000, host racetrack purse contribution $20,000). The purse for each Gold Super Final will be $300,000 (guaranteed; HIP contribution). There are no starting fees for Gold Mid-Season Finals/Consolations or Gold Super Finals.

GRASSROOTS SERIES:
In 2024 the Grassroots Series will consist of:
Five (5) Legs $20,000 per division Grassroots Final $75,000 per final Grassroots Consolation $25,000 per Consolation
The Grassroots Series will consist of five (5) legs in each of the eight (8) age, sex and gait categories, for a total of 40 events, and a Grassroots Final and Consolation for each category. If more horses declare to start in an event than is permitted at that racetrack, the event shall be split into the appropriate number of divisions with entries seeded by lot.
Gold, Grassroots and Prospect Series events will be numbered and horses cannot be entered in a Grassroots and a Gold or Prospect Series event of the same number. Horses may not compete in their respective Grassroots Series or Prospect Series Leg 3 and Gold Mid-Season Final/Consolation. Horses can only compete in one Series Final, unless they were an also eligible and did not draw in, or they won their respective Grassroots Final and entered the corresponding Super Final which did not fill with Gold Series point earners. Horses will earn points (as detailed above) in each of the Grassroots Series Legs to qualify for their respective Grassroots Final/Consolation. The top 10 point earners to enter will draw into the
Grassroots Final, the next 10 point earners to enter will draw into the Consolation. The number of starters in the Final and Consolation will be limited to 10. A horse must start in a minimum of two (2) Grassroots Series Legs to be eligible to enter its respective Grassroots Final/Consolation. In 2024, the purse for each Grassroots Series division will be $20,000 (guaranteed; HIP contribution plus starting fees). In 2024, the starting fee for all Grassroots Series Legs will be $400 and will be part of the guaranteed purse, not added on to the guaranteed amount.

The purse for each Grassroots Consolation will be $25,000 (guaranteed; HIP Contribution $12,500, host racetrack purse contribution $12,500). The purse for each Grassroots Final will be $75,000 (guaranteed; HIP contribution). There are no starting fees for the Grassroots Finals/Consolations.

 

 

 

 

Contact:

Ontario Sires Stakes c/o Ontario Racing, PO Box 160, Campbellville, ON, L0P 1B0, Tel: (902) 899-6241, e-mail: [email protected] , website: www.ontariosiresstakes.com

Administration:

Ontario Sires Stakes c/o Ontario Racing, PO Box 160, Campbellville, ON, L0P 1B0, Tel: (902) 899-6241, e-mail: [email protected] , website: www.ontariosiresstakes.com