The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association (FTBOA) state incentive programs foster the agricultural activity of breeding and training Thoroughbred racehorses in Florida. The FTBOA is a not-for-profit association which represents more than 1,400 breeders and owners who breed, raise, train and race Thoroughbred horses in Florida.
Florida-breds represent 52 National Champions, 66 Eclipse awards, 6 Kentucky Derby winners (more than any other state excepting Kentucky), 7 Preakness Stakes winners, 6 Belmont Stakes winners, 28 Breeders’ Cup champions, 6 National Horse of the Years, 1 National Broodmare of the Year (only one outside of Kentucky to win) and 181 racehorse millionaires.
Year-round, 40% of Gulfstream and Tampa Bay starters are Florida-breds earning 40% of total Florida purses.
From Ocala/Marion County’s Thoroughbred farms and training centers to world class bloodstock auctions at Ocala Breeders’ Sales, and the excitement at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, Florida has it all. Florida ranks as the third most populous horse state in the U.S., and here’s why:
1. Climate - Florida has a mild climate meaning horses training here miss very few days of training due to weather/frozen ground and is suitable for mares in foal.
2. Florida has a tax friendly, pro-business environment
3. No tax on stallion seasons
4. Horses purchased from original breeder are sales tax exempt
5. Florida’s greenbelt exemption provides property tax breaks for Florida horse farms
6. No personal state income tax
7. No individual capital gains tax
8. Feed/animal health items are tax exempt
9. Affordable worker’s comp insurance
10. Florida boasts of excellent specialized facilities. For example, Ocala is a concentrated breeding region within Florida and has more horses than any other county in the U.S. so that there is a wealth of veterinary specialists, reproductive services, training centers, and tack and feed shops which leads to a competitive marketplace.
11. Florida is second in total annual North American Thoroughbred foal crop.
12. In season, Florida has more than 15,000 thoroughbreds-in-training in training centers over dirt, turf and artificial surfaces and there is an abundance of training center options.
The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company hosts bloodstock auctions throughout the year and is the top two-year-old in training sales in the world with nearly 80% of the 2yo marketplace.
The Florida-bred incentive program consists of breeder awards, owner awards, stallion awards, and state-bred racing events. For an incentive packet, please contact Steve Koch, Assoc. VP at SKoch@FTBOA.com or call 352-629-2160. Updates available at www.FTBOA.com .
Yes. Plus, the $1.6m Florida Sire Stakes series at Gulfstream and Tampa.
Yes. Plus, the $660,000 Champions Day at Tampa Bay
FTBOA purse supplements include:
Gulfstream Park - up to twenty $5,000 bonuses to eligible Florida-sired winners in open maiden races plus up to $250,000 total Florida-bred Incentive Fund (FBIF) supplements in selected overnights. $100,000 bonus to eligible Florida-sired winner of Florida Derby, $25,000 in Gulfstream Oaks.
Tampa Bay Downs - $25,000 and $50,000 win bonuses or purse supplements (up to $660,000 total) for eligible Florida-breds or Florida-sired in most stakes races.
FTHA FOA (Florida Owners' Awards) to the owner of a FTBOA-registered Florida-Bred winner of certain races. Contact Florida THA for details.
15% of gross purse for FTBOA-registered Florida-breds. Winners 10% ($10.500 limit), second 3% ($3,000 limit) and third 2% ($1,500 limit).
15% of gross purse (up to maximum $15,000/award) paid to the owners of Thoroughbred stallions registered with the FTBOA and siring FTBOA-registered Florida-breds that finish first in a listed black-type stakes race at a Florida Thoroughbred track.
No
No breed-back rule, no mare residency requirement.
Florida annual purses = $96.5 million
Breeder awards are distributed monthly, if your Florida-bred wins in January, you will receive your breeder award check by mid-February (if your current w-9 is on file). Stallion awards are paid quarterly.
$125 for FTBOA members; $300 for non-members for Florida-breds by August 31 of foaling year.
