Breeders taking part in the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders Incentive Fund (KTBIF) program are set to receive a record $20 million in prizes, according to the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. More than a quarter of a billion dollars have been given to breeders of Kentucky-bred horses that have won eligible races around the world since the KTBIF was first put into place in 2005.
Governor Andy Beshear congratulated our amazing thoroughbred sector. As demonstrated last year, Kentucky continues to be the world’s horse racing center. Every leg of the Triple Crown was won by Kentucky-bred horses, and we reached a record funding level for Kentucky breeders. We have a proud past and a promising future.
Kentucky-bred horses kept shining all around the world. Kentucky-breds in 2024:
won 289 of 401 U.S. graded stakes races, or 72% of them.
Mystik Dan (Kentucky Derby), Seize the Grey (Preakness), and Dornoch (Belmont Stakes) were the three horses that won the Triple Crown’s three legs.
Horse of the Year and Champion Three-Year-Old Filly Thorpedo Anna led the group in winning ten (10) Eclipse Awards.
Together with City of Troy and Laurel River, we were named co-Longines World’s Best Racehorses. Laurel River obtained his highest rating after winning the Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, and City of Troy earned his highest rating after winning the Juddmonte International Stakes at York Racecourse in England.
“Seeing our Kentucky breeders get recognized for consistently producing champions in Kentucky is one of our favorite times of the year,” said Drew Conners, Director of Incentives and Development at KHRGC. Watching our Kentucky-bred horses win races both domestically and internationally is an exciting experience. We are proud to present our Kentucky Thoroughbred breeders, who contribute so much to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, with a record $20 million.
Additionally, Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan, both trained by Kenny McPeek, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, won the 150th Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby. For these victories, a $50,000 KTBIF reward will be given to the breeders of Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan. Including the most recent ten (10) runnings, Kentucky-bred horses have now won the Kentucky Derby 116 times. The last eight (8) Kentucky Oaks runnings have also been won by Kentucky-bred horses.
By giving money to breeders of Thoroughbreds bred in Kentucky, the KTBIF was created to support the state’s horse sector. The mare must remain in the Commonwealth for her whole gestation, foal in Kentucky, and be bred to a registered Kentucky stallion in order to be eligible. A portion of the sales tax paid when a stallion is bred to a mare in Kentucky goes toward funding the KTBIF.
A complete list of the 2024 award winners, who have won a total of $20,019,601.10, will be accessible under Awards on the KHRGC website.
Gaming and Horse Racing Corporation of Kentucky
