As they search for next year’s superstar, astute buyers should look carefully at Ontario Sired yearlings.

According to a release from the Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association (SBOA), Ontario Sired horses had won 35 open stake events, including 22 wins in Grand Circuit action at Mohawk Racetrack, through Sept. 15, 2015

Without leaving the province two-year-old pacing filly L A Delight has already earned $526,835. The Bettors Delight daughter is undefeated in three Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) starts, captured her Eternal Camnation division, swept her elimination and the final of the Shes A Great Lady, and was victorious in the Champlain Stakes for trainer Bob McIntosh and his partners C S X Stables and Al McIntosh Holdings Inc.

Among the other Ontario Sired open stake winners are two-year-old pacing filly Thatsoveryverynice, two-year-old pacing colts Betting Line, Nvestment Bluechip and Voracity, two-year-old trotting fillies Caprice Hill, Celebrity Eventsy, Could It Be Magic and Emoticon Hanover, three-year-old pacing filly Wrangler Magic, three-year-old trotting fillies Muscle Baby Doll and Elegant Serenity, three-year-old trotting colt Hemi Seelster and aged trotters Bee A Magician and Flanagan Memory.

Beyond their ability to compete on the world stage, Ontario Sired horses offer several advantages to buyers. In addition to OSS purses, which were in excess of $15 million in 2015, owners/lessees of Ontario Sired two-year-olds competing in 2016 will be eligible for a purse bonus of 20 per cent on overnight races and 5 per cent on OSS races.

In 2017 the Two-year-old Purse Bonus will be replaced with a $2 million Owner’s Bonus, which will be paid to owners/lessees of two and three-year-olds that are Ontario Sired or Ontario Bred. Owners of horses that are both Ontario Sired and Ontario Bred will receive double the bonus, which will be calculated on a pro rata basis. Further information about the purse bonus is available at the Ontario horse Racing (OHR) website.

In addition, American buyers shopping at Ontario yearling sales this fall will benefit from the drop in value of the Canadian dollar.

“This fall, another great group of Ontario Sired and Ontario Bred yearlings will be offered at the fall sales,” said SBOA President Walter Parkinson. “Whether you are looking to compete in the lucrative Ontario Sires Stakes program or to take on the best that the Grand Circuit has to offer, there is no denying the value of Ontario Sired and Ontario Bred yearlings.”

Buyers looking for an Ontario Sired champion will find them at the following sales:

The Canadian Yearling Sale: Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015

Forest City Yearling Sale: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015

Lexington Selected Yearling Sale: October 5 to 9, 2015

The Black Book – Harrisburg: November 2 to 6, 2015

New Owner Mentoring Program update

Interested in purchasing an Ontario Sired yearling, but unsure where to start? There are still a few spots available in the 2015 SBOA New Owner Mentoring Group.

Join mentor Bill O’Donnell and trainer Dustin Jones as they guide a group of nine new owners through the purchase, training, staking and racing of an Ontario Sired yearling. Each new owner invests $4,500 which, along with a forgivable loan of $15,000 from the SBOA, provides the funds necessary to purchase the yearling and covers training and staking fees through the first year.

More information about the New Owner Mentoring Program is available on the SBOA website, or by contacting Tammy McNiven at 519-475-4276 or [email protected].

Play an active role, become an SBOA Director

Join the SBOA in its efforts to foster a sustainable breeding industry in Ontario by submitting a nomination for the position of director.

The SBOA Board is comprised of 12 members, with four directors elected each year for a term of three years. All voting members are eligible for nomination as a director, with elections taking place at the Annual Meeting in January 2016.

Complete details and nomination forms are available at standardbredbreeders.com or from any current director and must be received at Box 371, Rockwood, ON N0B 2K0 no later than 5:00 pm on December 1, 2015.

(with files from SBOA/Sandra Snyder)