Washington

The Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association was founded in 1940 as a nonprofit organization composed of persons interested in the breeding and improvement of the Thoroughbred. Through a wide variety of programs the WTBOA strives to foster and preserve the traditions of the Thoroughbred in the state of Washington and across the country.

The WTBOA has played a dramatic role in the growth and prosperity of the Washington Thoroughbred industry. This has been achieved through the support of its members. Only through continued support by interested horsemen can the association and its services endure. Support the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association by becoming a member so we can continue with the following programs:

SALES

WTBOA members are eligible to market their Thoroughbreds through the sales program supervised by the WTBOA. The association conducts its Summer Yearling and Mixed Sale in late August or early September at the Morris J. Alhadeff Sales Pavilion at Emerald Downs in Auburn.

The nationally-recognized program has been referred to as "the little sales company that could," by Ray Paulick. The sale has produced such great runners as multiple Grade 1 SW Smiling Tiger ($1,480,704), multiple Grade 2 SW City to City ($729,726) and Grade 2 SW Atta Boy Roy ($602,276), as well as 2016 Graded stakes-placed, multiple stakes-winning 2-year-old California Diamond ($475,970), etc. The sales program is designed to fit the needs of both buyers and sellers, whether their interests lie in weanlings, yearlings, horses of racing age or breeding stock. The WTBOA actively promotes the program through advertising and personal contact with buyers and sellers throughout North America.

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION

Dating back to 1940 when the WTBOA (then the WHBA) was incorporated, the association has taken an aggressive and forward position on legislative issues which have had an impact on the well-being of the Washington Thoroughbred industry. The ability of the WTBOA to mobilize its membership at the grass roots level to support or oppose proposed legislation is essential to the success of the industry.

In cooperation with the Washington Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association and Washington's racing associations, the WTBOA actively monitors and lobbies the state legislature in Olympia. For example, the WTBOA was responsible for the passage of the One Percent Owners' Bonus Bill in 1969, which has distributed over $56 million to owners of Washington-bred horses which have raced successfully within the state's boundaries.

In 1985, the WTBA joined with the Washington HBPA and the state's racing associations in developing and securing the passage of Senate Bill 3342, which generated more than $4 million in additional revenue to the racing industry in just its first year in effect. In 1991, the WTBOA helped pass legislation which further increased purses and reduced the state's share of the mutuel takeout. The funds generated from this reduction aided in the construction of Emerald Downs, the state's major racetrack, thus helping to secure racing's future in Washington.

BREEDERS' AWARDS

Any bona fide breeder of a Washington-bred Thoroughbred is eligible to receive breeders' awards, regardless of who owns the horse at the time of winning, so long as the horse in question wins a race at a major track in the state of Washington.

Originally negotiated by the WTBOA, the payment of breeders' awards by the racing associations dates back to 1945. The WTBOA played a major role in the passage of the legislation which addresses the continuing payment of breeders' awards from the pari-mutuel handle and which has resulted in the distribution of over $29 million to the breeders of Washington-breds winners at the state's racetracks during the last six decades. The WTBOA was also responsible for initiating a change that, beginning in 2008, made it possible for the breeder of any Washington-bred finishing first, second or third in any race at Emerald Downs to receive Breeders' Awards.

WASHINGTON THOROUGHBRED

All members receive the WTBOA's award-winning quarterly magazine, Washington Thoroughbred, featuring comprehensive coverage of Washington and Pacific Northwest racing and breeding industries.

The Washington Thoroughbred includes statistical data relevant to members' breeding, racing and marketing programs, as well as educational information, up-to-date veterinary news, individual farm features, sales previews and highlights, human interest articles, important reminders, and classified and display advertising.

Two issues are of particular importance: the Stallion Register, which features consistent side-by-side data on stallions standing in Washington, Oregon and the Northwest; and the Farm and Service Directory, a handy industry reference tool listing farms, services, trainers, etc. which is distributed throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The magazine is a General Excellence award winner from the American Horse Publications and has also received numerous awards for photography, illustrations, stories and articles that were presented within its pages.

The WTBOA also disseminates current and timely information and reminders through its bi-weekly e-mail newsletter, Gate-to-Wire.

REGULARLY UPDATED WEBSITE

Up-to-date news, statistics, reminders and deadlines, historical biographies and other timely and/or noteworthy information.

NORTHWEST RACE SERIES

The WTBOA designed and provides the administrative work for the exciting Northwest Race Series, an innovative series of races under a one nomination umbrella which has no state-bred restrictions. It also offers stallion and nominator bonus awards.

The 2-year-old series made its debut in 1988. Through 2017, a sum of nearly $16 million had been won by horses competing in the program. An additional $671,000 has been paid out in nominators’ awards, as well as an additional $510,000 in nominated stallion awards. This rich race series has garnered national acclaim.

RESEARCH LIBRARIES and ON-LINE COMPUTER

The WTBOA maintains one of the finest and most complete research libraries in the country, available to members at no extra cost. The library is constantly upgraded to provide up-to-date information regarding race records, sire records, broodmare production records, breeding theory, etc.

Also available are a broad selection of technical and veterinary reference books, historical information, general reading material concerning the Thoroughbred industry, a wide variety of magazines, sales catalogs, etc.

Also available for purchase through the WTBOA are computer printouts from Bloodstock Research and Equine Line in Kentucky. Over 50 different printouts ranging from race records to full five-generation pedigrees and complete sales catalog page information are available.

VIDEO LIBRARY

The WTBOA video library includes tapes and DVDs on horse care, stable management, races of interest and individual farms and stallions available for viewing.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The WTBOA sponsors a wide range of educational programs and forums, including the Horseman's Short Courses, which have brought some of the industry's most respected and knowledgeable leaders to Washington for one- to three-day seminars.

These educational experiences cover racing, breeding management and theories, marketing and much more. Other events include sales and tax seminars aimed at introducing new people to the racing industry.

SERVICES

Among the many services offered by the WTBOA are: assistance with registration of members' Thoroughbreds and serving as a liaison between members and The Jockey Club, pedigree evaluation and Thoroughbred appraisals, assistance in arranging sales and leases, marketing guidance, etc.

The WTBOA either has someone on staff or can refer you to the proper authority to help you with any question or need you may have regarding your participation in the sport/business.

PROMOTIONAL

Direct and frequent exchanges with the media, arranging press conferences, relaying pertinent stories, gaining media coverage for sales and interesting aspects of the industry are all part of the WTBOA's focus in promoting racing and breeding whenever possible.

WASHINGTON THOROUGHBRED FOUNDATION

The WTBOA administers the Washington Thoroughbred Foundation, which is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Formed in 1958 as the benevolence arm of the WTBOA, the Foundation's mission is "Helping to build a solid foundation for the Thoroughbred industry" through educational scholarships and grants, as well as support for racehorse retirement and retraining, therapeutic riding, backstretch daycare, internships and more.

EQUINE ART SHOW

(Under the auspices of the Washington Thoroughbred Foundation)

 One of the highlights of the summer is the annual Equine Art Show. It was conceived as a way to encourage and promote young and unknown artists who are interested in the equine. Entries are received from across the United States and Canada and from as far away as England, France and Australia. Several local or regional artists have gone on to receive national recognition.

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS and ANNUAL AWARDS

There's no better way to learn the sport/business of Thoroughbred horse racing and breeding than from friends and associates in a relaxed atmosphere. The WTBOA provides that setting several times each year at such events as the annual awards banquet, annual membership meeting, etc.