Horsepeople must remember two important February deadlines in order to maintain eligibility in the Pennsylvania Breeders Fund Award Program and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Program.

The State Horse Racing Commission Bureau of Standardbred Horse Racing has announced that owners must register their stallions for the 2018 breeding season with paperwork postmarked by February 1. Additionally, owners looking to register their broodmares for the Breeders Fund Award Program must have their mares registered as ‘Pennsylvania residents’ postmarked by February 15 to ensure their foals of 2019 are eligible for the breeder awards.

A stallion must remain in the state, at a declared facility, from February 15 to July 4. Breeding can take place within a couple of weeks of either date. If a stallion is intended to be used as both a stud and a racehorse in 2018, approval must be gained from the Bureau of Standardbred Horse Racing. If the horse competes out-of-state, the horse must return to his declared Pennsylvania facility after each of those out-of-state races.

Broodmares must reside in Pennsylvania for at least 180 consecutive days, including foaling, and be in foal to a registered Pennsylvania stallion for their offspring to be eligible for the breeder awards. No registered broodmare is authorized to leave the state for any reason during that 180 days, except for a medical emergency. If that occurs, the commission must be notified as soon as possible.

Registration forms are available by contacting Pennie Dodson at 717-787-5196 or [email protected].

For more information, visit agriculture.pa.gov and search ‘state horse racing commission.’

(Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission)