TORONTO, ONT—JANUARY 9, 2018—According to article published today on StandardBredCanada.ca, the 2018 and 2019 Quarter Horse Racing Industry Development Program (QHRIDP) has been approved by the Ontario Racing Board of Directors. The 2018-19 QHRIDP plan was based on recommendations by by Quarter Horse Advisory Group, the industry representative.

The main QHRIDP components will remain similar to prior years, with the 2018-19 program projected to provide over $3.5 million in total purses and incentives.

New to the QHRIDP, a Mare Breeding Incentive will be introduced as a new program to encourage breeding of Quarter Horse mares in Ontario. The goal of the new program is to increase the future racing population by providing a $1,000 incentive to eligible participants upon breeding a mare. To accommodate the budget expenditures for the Mare Breeding Incentive, the Breeders Awards and Stallion Awards were cut by 10 per cent to $400K and $40K, respectively.

The Third Start Bonus, which provides a $1,000 incentive to the trainer of record on the completion of three starts at Ajax Downs during the season, will be continued into 2018-19. The incentive will introduce a maximum cap of $10,000 to any one trainer.

To support increased program participation, late enrollments will now be allowed subject to a late fee. The fee for filing a late Stallion Enrollment (after January 15 for active stallions) will be $200. Broodmare enrollments may be filed after foaling, with no time limit, upon paying a late fee of $200 and providing proof of residency.