The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association’s Board of Directors named their 2016 slate of officers in the January meeting.
Jay Dailey was re-elected President for a fourth consecutive term. Cameron Mahlum was named Vice-President, Scott Rake as Treasurer and Mary Malkerson, Secretary.
In other MTA news, the association is offering a $10,000 bonus to the winner of the 2020 MTA Stallion Auction Stakes if the season was purchased during the 2016 MTA Stallion Auction.
Additionally, in cooperation with Canterbury Park, the MTA Sales Graduate Stakes will offer eligible 2016 2-year-olds the opportunity to run in this new, five-furlong, $40,000 stakes race in July. Yearlings that were consigned to the 2015 sale are eligible to nominate to this race, plus consignors selling a horse can, in turn, nominate an additional MN-bred to the MTA Sales Graduate Stakes. This stakes race is an added perk to both buy and sell at the MTA’s Yearling Sale!
The 2016 MTA yearling sale is scheduled for August 22 and will return to Canterbury Park and the new Canterbury Expo Center. The Board announced several twists to the sale, making consigning and buying at the MTA Sale even more lucrative.
The breeder of each MN-bred yearling consigned to the MTA Yearling Sale that sells to a new owner during the auction will receive a Yearling Sale Graduate Breeder’s Bonus when the MTA Sales Grad breaks its maiden in a Maiden Special Weight or Allowance race. The bonus will be paid to the breeder within 30 days of the horse breaking its maiden at Canterbury Park.
Minnesota Conceived and Foaled MTA Sale Grads will receive a $2,000 bonus. Minnesota-bred MTA Sale Grads will receive a $1,000 bonus.
The MTA Board is offering this bonus to breeders as an added incentive to bring top-quality, competitive Minnesota Conceived and Foaled, as well as Minnesota-bred, yearlings to their annual sale.
“While purses have increased, raising awards to breeders is a little more difficult,” said Board President Jay Dailey. “The past couple of years have seen nice bumps in awards to breeders and, with these bonuses, we’re looking to keep that momentum going while new sources of income to the Breeders’ Fund are cultivated.”
There will be so much more than just “Nice” coming out of Minnesota in 2016, especially in relation to the Thoroughbred horse racing industry. The outstanding 2015 race season at Canterbury Park saw total handle rise 11.3% and a record purse distribution of $14.2 million. Minnesota breeders received over $407,000 in breeders’ fund award payments. We anticipate continued increases in 2016!
It’s not too late to have your very own 2016 MN-Bred! While, stallions had to be registered with the Minnesota Racing Commission by January 31st. Mares must be registered with the MRC and in Minnesota prior to foaling or by March 15th. Registration materials for mares and foals are available at https://www.mrc.state.mn.us.
For further information on upcoming events including educational seminars offered by the MTA, keep checking online at Minnesotabred.com.