MISSISSAUGA, ON — The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) announced today that they have received a record number of Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) yearling nominations in 2003.
“The lucrative OSS purses resulting from both the pari-mutuel tax reduction and the slots-at-racetracks program continue to make OSS stallions attractive to broodmare owners, ” said Karen Hauver, OSS Administration Coordinator.
In 2003 yearling nominations totaled 2,937. This represents an increase of seventy-two percent since OHRIA took over the administration of the OSS program in 1997.
Over this same time period OSS purses have more than doubled. Purses in 2003 are estimated to be over $20 million, making Ontario’s program the most lucrative sires stakes program in all of North America.
“Given the recent successes of Ontario sired horses in North America, there just may be a future star among these yearlings, ” said Hauver, referencing the recent achievements in the U.S. of Ontario sired champions Amigo Hall and Rotation.
The standardbred Ontario Sires Stakes is a division of the Horse Improvement Program, a breeding and racing incentive program that was established in 1974 by the Ontario Government and is administered by OHRIA.
The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) is an umbrella association which represents all segments of the horse racing industry. OHRIA was formed in 1994 to address the unique challenges facing the industry in a dynamic gaming and entertainment market. The strategic vision of the industry is to be a world-class leader in horse racing and breeding.
Horse racing is the third largest agricultural industry in Ontario, generating over 37,000 full time equivalent jobs. Horse racing is an important part of the agricultural economy and supports the overall provincial economic base.