CUTLINE: Hip #1439 Ruby’s Reign (Carpe Diem-It’s a Ruby), in foal to Life is Good, was purchased by David Clancy’s Track West Racing Inc. for $150,000 at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Track West Racing will receive $25,000 back from the Thoroughbred Improvement Program’s Mare Purchase Program for this mare and has already claimed $70,000 in MPP funds, of a maximum of $75,000 per person, to purchase three mares, total. (Keeneland Sales).

 

As of today, 23 mares have been purchased and $494,000 is being rebated to Ontario breeders for buying new mares to bring to the province. That leaves just $256,000 left to be claimed

story by Dave Briggs

photo courtesy Keeneland Sales

Ontario Thoroughbred breeders looking to upgrade their broodmare bands with funding from the Thoroughbred Improvement Program’s (TIP) Mare Purchase Program (MPP) better act fast.

As of Tuesday morning, two-thirds of the $750,000 total budget has already been spent, with $256,000 remaining.

To date, Ontario breeders have spent $1.823 million, total, on 23 mares acquired with help from MPP funds.

Two buyers – Apricot Valley Farms (Colin Davis) and Dr. Brian Van Arem – have already qualified to receive $75,000 back, each, the maximum amount any one individual, partnership, corporation or other ownership group can claim.

This year, the MPP budget was increased to $750,000 from $400,000 last year.

The MPP gives eligible applicants up to 50 per cent of the purchase price of in-foal mares to a maximum of $25,000 per mare. The mare has to be purchased for a minimum of $10,000 USD and must be bought at a recognized public auction outside of Ontario, with progeny of 2027 to foal in Ontario. RNAs are not eligible. In terms of the program, U.S. and Canadian money is considered to be at par.

Purchasers must be Ontario residents, provide proof of residency, and have a valid license with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

There is also a bonus of $2,500 for every mare that is bred back to a registered Ontario Sire in the 2027 breeding season upon the declaration of a live foal with The Jockey Club. Currently, seven of the mares new to Ontario are slated to be bred to Ontario stallions, with more likely.

The mares purchased prior to Tuesday’s Keeneland session with help from MPP funds are:

Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale

  • Hip #218 Limbo (Tom’s d’Etat-Dance Again), in foal to Timberlake, purchased by Dr. Brett Anderson for $10,000 – with $5,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #402 Dreams With You (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB)-Without You Babe), in foal to Forte, purchased by Tall Oaks Farm for $60,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #474 Kingsclere (Kitten’s Joy-Sweeter Still (IRE)), in foal to Omaha Beach, purchased by Minshall Farms & Murray Smith for $125,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #704 Way To Go (Nyquist-Smiling Causeway), in foal to Army Mule, purchased by Josham Farms Ltd. for $300,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #719 Zia’s Song (Kitten’s Joy-Awesome Flower), in foal to Sierra Leone, purchased by Dr. Brian Van Arem for $80,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #878 Hibiscus (Constitution-Fiji Moon), in foal to Munnings, purchased by Glenn Sikura for $150,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #981 Pacific Wind (Curlin-Shag), in foal to Citizen Bull, purchased by Dr. Brian Van Arem for $120,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #1003 Ragtime Rose (Union Rags-Cordosa), in foal to Good Magic, purchased by Glenn Sikura for $150,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #1011 Repartee (Distorted Humor-Dubai Dancer), in foal to Twirling Candy, purchased by Dr. Brian Van Arem for $65,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #1168 Betsy (Constitution-Another Broad), in foal to Gunite, purchased by Track West Racing Inc. for $40,000 – with $20,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #1237 Duke Girls (Street Sense-Gold Medalist), in foal to Upstart, purchased by Apricot Valley Thoroughbreds (Colin Davis) for $50,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #1285 Ghost Bayou (Ghostzapper-Gal About Town) in foal to Citizen Bull, purchased by Apricot Valley Thoroughbreds (Colin Davis) for $55,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #1292 Good As Gone (Nyquist-Rapid Racer) in foal to Upstart, purchased by Apricot Valley Thoroughbreds (Colin Davis) for $110,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #1439 Ruby’s Reign (Carpe Diem-It’s a Ruby), in foal to Life is Good, purchased by Track West Racing Inc. for $150,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #1720 Is It Gold (Indygo Shiner-Expo Gold), in foal to Domestic Product, purchased by Maureen Hewitt-Topp for $40,000 – with $20,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #2285 Riperton (Constitution-Kimberlea K), in foal to Instagrand, purchased by Anderson Farms Ont. Inc. for $27,000 – with $13,500 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #2317 Sister Lily (Into Mischief-Ursula), in foal to Honor A.P., purchased by Josham Farms Ltd. for $140,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #2342 Storm Pedal (Kitten’s Joy-Limonaia), in foal to Carl Spackler (IRE), purchased by Ballycroy Bloodstock for $32,000 – with $16,000 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #2758 Sorority Row (The Factor-Revel In The Win), in foal to Army Mule, purchased by Phoenix Rising Farms for $25,000 – with $12,500 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #2787 Tanquerray (Good Journey-Kitty Galore), in foal to Annapolis, purchased by Paul Cooper for $20,000 – with $10,000 back from the MPP.

Fasig-Tipton October Digital Sale

  • Hip #254 Brand Loyalty (Grazen-Hard To Resist), in foal to Army Mule, purchased by Track West Racing Inc. for $60,000 – with $25,000 back from the MPP.

Fasig-Tipton June Digital Sale

  • Hip #145 Rich Gift (Uncle Mo-All Flags Flying), in foal to Turbo S, purchased by Gil Leduc for $25,000 – with $12,500 back from the MPP.
  • Hip #220 Candy Craze (Blame-Favorite Candy), in foal to King For A Day, purchased by Gil Leduc for $34,000 – with $17,000 back from the MPP.

For more information about TIP’s Mare Purchase Program, please contact the TIP coordinator at tbprogram@ontarioracing.com or call (647) 385-8127.