As part of Ontario Racing’s (OR) vision to be the customer-focused leader and representative voice of a world class horse racing industry, OR has been tasked with directing breed improvement programs, including the Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP).
The 2017 Thoroughbred Improvement Program has been approved by the Ontario Racing Board of Directors. The 2017 program will be consistent with previous years, and OR would like to thank the Thoroughbred Advisory Group for their hard work and careful consideration in developing a 2017 plan for the continued success of the Ontario Program. OR would also like to thank the Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) for their continuing voluntary support of the HIP program. This support has been instrumental this year and over the past three years to ensure the program is fully funded at $30 million annually. Or also recognizes the efforts of CTHS and their continued dedication to TIP administrative support.
The 2017 program will include $4,490,000 in Restricted Overnight Purses; $2,800,000 in Ontario-Bred Purse Bonus and $4,000,000 in Stake Purse Supplements. There will also $2,900,000 in Breeders Awards. Further to this, there will be $320,000 allocated to Stallion Awards and $80,000 in other incentives.
Ontario Racing is also pleased to confirm that the association will be commissioning a full, third party HIP Review in the months ahead. The purpose of the HIP Review is to measure the HIP successes against current objectives, to identify value for money, to recommend new objectives (if needed) and to establish a secure and sustainable funding framework for the Program going forward. The HIP review will involve meaningful consultations and your feedback will be crucial.
Ontario Racing is committed to supporting world class Thoroughbred racing in this province, and we are committed to continuing to advocate on your behalf with government and industry partners.
(OR)