As spring sets in, a new boom of babies are hitting the ground and Prince Edward Island Standardbred breeders are optimistic about what's to come.
CBC News has reported that P.E.I. breeding numbers are up on the heels of another record-breaking Atlantic Classic Yearling Sale last October that saw sales top $1.8 million.
"In 2022, we had 204 foals born here on the Island, and that was an increase of 38 from 2021," Julie Jamieson, Executive Director of the P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association (PEIHRIA), told CBC News. "We also see an increase in the number of breeders. We currently have 220 breeders here on the Island, and we're also seeing steady numbers in our stallions. For such a small province, we have 21 stallions."
Bruce Wood, owner of Woodmere Standardbreds breeding farm in Marshfield, P.E.I. and the newly appointed Standardbred Canada Atlantic Breeder Director, noted the broodmare and foal incentives offered over the past few years in P.E.I. and have helped boost the breeding business and quality of horses being bred in the provincial program, with many going on to compete in the top jurisdictions in the sport.
These incentives include the PEIHRIA Foal Incentive to assist owners with the cost of registering their foals with Standardbred Canada and the Broodmare Purchase Assistance Program, which launched in 2021, to assist P.E.I. residents with the purchase of eligible broodmares.
"It's like everything else in the spring: It's a time for lots of optimism, and it's a lot of work," said Wood. "It's always nice to see the babies being born, and hopefully developing our next champion."
To read the CBC News article in its entirety, click here.