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Florida

Executive Director: 
Lonny T. Powell CEO & Executive Vice President
Address: 
801 S.W. 60th Avenue
Ocala, FL 34474
Phone: 
(352) 629-2160
About Us: 
The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association represents Thoroughbred breeders and owners who breed, raise, sell, train and race Florida Thoroughbreds. Since 1945, FTBOA has represented the Thoroughbred industry legislatively, serves as the Florida’s breed registrar and administers lucrative Florida breeding and racing incentives.
 
Florida is the perennial leading producer of Thoroughbred starters, starts, winners, open stakes wins and graded stakes wins among North American regional markets.
 

In 2024 Florida topped ALL regional breeding states outside Kentucky by combined Breeder, Stallion and Open-race Owner Awards

 
Florida has produced more Kentucky Derby winners (six) than any other state or province outside of Kentucky including Needles (1956), Carry Back (1961), Foolish Pleasure (1975), Triple Crown winner Affirmed (1978), Unbridled (1990) and Silver Charm (1997). Florida far outdistances other regional markets with 30 Breeders’ Cup winners, 19 winners of Triple Crown races, 66 national champions and 183 millionaire Thoroughbreds.
 
The FTBOA promotes Florida Thoroughbred breeding and racing through Florida- bred breeder and stallion awards, Florida-bred racing incentives and the Florida Sire Stakes race series.
 
Breeder awards valued at up to 20% of gross purse are paid to the breeder of a Florida-bred registered with the FTBOA which finishes first, second or third in any race at a licensed Florida Thoroughbred racetrack. Stallion owners earn up to 20% of gross purse for Florida-sired winners in Florida black type stakes.
 
An annual highlight of the Florida-bred racing calendar, the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes, distributes $1.2 million in a six-race series for Florida-sired 2-year-olds. Several Florida-bred or Florida-sired stakes, such as the Sunshine series of stakes at Gulfstream Park in January and the Florida Cup card at Tampa Bay Downs in March, benefit older horses.
 
The FTBOA incentive programs collectively distribute more than $15 million each year, increasing up to $20 million with the inclusion of Florida-bred Owner Awards (FOA) that are managed by the respective Florida racetracks and Thoroughbred horsemens’ associations. The combined Florida breeder, stallion and open race owner awards outpace all other states’ incentive programs outside of Kentucky.
 
Florida Equine Communications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FTBOA, produces the award-winning monthly magazine The Florida Horse; the daily Thoroughbred news digest Wire to Wire; and The Florida Horse Podcast. FEC also handles the media relations, social media and internet marketing for the Association.
 
FEC media resides online at FTBOA.com alongside extensive FTBOA services such as real-time Florida-bred race entries and results, the Florida-bred registry search, Florida racing and breeding incentives administration and FTBOA membership services.
 
The FTBOA administers Florida Thoroughbred Charities, the charitable arm of the Florida Thoroughbred industry. Since 1990, FTC has strengthened and supported the community by raising more than $4 million for charitable organizations within the Thoroughbred industry, the city of Ocala, Marion County and the state of Florida.
 
The FTBOA actively represents the Thoroughbred industry in community and legislative affairs, especially at the state and national governments. FTBOA’s significant legislative accomplishments include the repeated beat-back of racetrack gaming decoupling legislation, and the annual $33.5 million state allocations enhancing Florida breeding and racing incentives with attached funding for Horseracing Integrity & Safety Act assessments.
 
FTBOA, based in Ocala, Fla. holds trademark rights for the Horse Capital of the World® and Ocala, Marion County, Horse Capital of the World®, certifying that the Ocala and Florida equine economies are global leaders in economic value, employment and production. FTBOA maintains up-to-date economic impact estimates for all Florida equine and Florida Thoroughbred at FTBOA.com/horse-capital-of-the-world

 

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 .

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

FTBOA Phone: 352-629-2160

FTBOA Contact: Steve Koch, SKoch@FTBOA.com

Website: FTBOA.com

Restricted Races: 

Gulfstream Park

Florida-bred restricted conditions offered year-round in selected overnights and stakes.      
      

 

Restricted Stakes Races: 

Gulfstream Park – Florida Sire Stakes 2yo series with total purses of $1.2 million includes three legs in two divisions (colts/geldings, fillies) in September, October and December.

$100,000 FTBOA Gil Campbell Memorial Handicap (plus $50,000 added for Florida Sire Stakes eligible top three), one mile for Florida-bred three-year-olds and up on the main track - October

Florida-bred restricted conditions offered year-round in selected overnights and stakes.

Tampa Bay Downs – The Florida Cup offers six $100,000 Florida-bred stakes (with $10,000 FSS bonuses) every March. Two $100,000 FSS 3-years-old & up stakes in December.

 

 
Purse Supplement in Open Races: 

Gulfstream Park (www.ftboa.com/florida-bred-incentives-gulfstream-park)

$15,000 added in Open Stakes
$10,000 win bonus for 2YO open MSW winners, plus $5,000 FSS
$5,000 win bonus for open MSW, Allowance, Handicaps  
Plus, up to $12,000 added (FBIF and FOA) in overnights
Florida Derby $100k FB, $100k FSS (Gulfstream Park Oaks $50k, $50k FSS
      
$18,000 added in all MSW and Allowance races (FTBOA-FBIF)
$25,000 and/or $50,000 added to all open stakes
 
Florida Owners’ Awards (FOA)
Added purse money in most overnight races at Tampa Bay and Gulfstream Park, managed by TBHBPA and FTHA.
 
Owners Awards: 

Gulfstream Park –

$20,000 to Florida-breds in Open Stakes or $20,000 for Florida Sire Stakes eligibles (FSS) in restricted stakes.

$10,000 win bonus for 2yo open MSW winners, plus $5,000 FSS.

$5,000 win bonus for MSW, Allowance, Handicaps (Florida-bred in open, FSS in restricted)

Summer Meet: Up to $5,000 added in many overnight conditions

Tampa Bay Downs –

$18,000 added in all MSW and Allowance races

$25,000 and/or $50,000 added to all stakes

Florida Owners’ Awards (FOA) – added purse money in most overnight races at Tampa Bay and Gulfstream Park, managed by TBHBPA and FTHA.

 

 

Breeders Awards: 

20% of the gross purse for FTBOA-registered Florida-breds finishing first, second and third. Win – 12.5% of gross purse, up to $12,500. Place – 5% of gross purse, up to $5,000. Show – 2.5% of gross purse, up to $2,500.

 

 

 

Stallion Awards: 

20% of gross purse (up to $20,000) for progeny wins in black-type stakes at Florida racetracks, paid to owners of stallions registered with FTBOA.

Out of State Awards: 

No

Breed-Back Rule: 

No breed-back rule, no mare residency requirement. 

Distribution Purses: 

Total annual purses in Florida = $98,000,000

Florida-breds are 40% of all runners in Florida and earn 40% of all Florida purses paid. 
Florida-breds lead the nation (except KY) in total starts, total starters, wins, open stakes wins and graded stakes wins.
Distribution Awards: 

Breeder Awards are distributed monthly. 

20% of the gross purse for FTBOA-registered Florida-breds finishing first, second and third.  
Win = 12.5% of gross purse, up to $12,500. 
Place = 5% of gross purse, up to $5,000. 
Show = 2.5% of gross purse, up to $2,500.
 
   
Stallion awards are paid quarterly.
20% of gross purse (up to $20,000) for progeny wins in black-type stakes at Florida racetracks, paid to owners of stallions registered with FTBOA.
Registration Fees: