The Jamaica Thoroughbred Owners’ and Breeders’ Association (TOBA) is collaborating with the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) and the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) to offer significant incentives to owners of two-year-old horses.

TOBA plans to restructure the bonus payment system of the native-bred maiden series as well as create a series for imported two-year-old horses.

TOBA’s Chief Executive Officer Ainsley Walters made the announcement at the draw of post positions for the 2023 Winston Griffiths Classic, which was held at Caymanas Park on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.

With a five-year relief, which had been enhanced by a $20-million JRC Thoroughbred Stimulus Revolving Fund, Walters said that it was instrumental in getting nine horses purchased from the Wednesday’s 2023 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale to enter in the TOBA Yearling sales set for November 12.

“The Thoroughbred Stimulus Revolving Fund, to be administered by TOBA, provides the association with new funding opportunities to allow importation of horses, fillies primarily for resale at its annual yearling sales,” Walters said.

“The intent is not to only increase the racing stock, but also make quality mirrors available for breeding after their racing careers have ended. In addition to increasing the ownership population among a wider age range within the industry, TOBA’s pre-existing revolving loan fund facility is available to new and existing members as a source of affordable funding,” he further stated.

As a result of this initiative, Walters stated that his organisation has submitted a proposal to BGLC to sponsor a $5-million series for imported two-year-old horses, comparable to the current three races sponsored by BGLC and TOBA for native-bred horses.

“This proposed new series as per the events and scheduled as we have five races scheduled for 2024. These races will significantly reward owners of imported two-year-olds for the 2024 racing season in support of the stimulus revolving fund,” Walters explained.

“What is exciting about this proposed series, as well as the existing series for native-bred maidens, is that TOBA, in its quest to fulfill its mandate to promote, foster, encourage, improve and develop the horse racing industry in Jamaica, intends to have the sponsorship reward each winning owner with a $1-million bonus in addition to the purse as advertised by promoting company Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL).

“Similarly, TOBA has applied to revamp the bonus payment structure of the three race native-bred maiden series to reward twice the number of winning owners by staging six races instead of three, with $1-million bonuses to each winning owners in addition to the SVREL purses,” he added.

Two of the six race dates are scheduled for late December, giving more owners of maiden two-year-olds the opportunity to benefit from the $1-million BGLC/TOBA prize. This historic change departs from the $2-million per race ownership sponsorship, which replicated SVREL, purse payment, first through sixth place structure, and winning horse breeder. Instead, the $1-million award goes directly into the winning owner’s wallet.

Most intriguing is the opportunity for native-breds to win races in both series, further incentivising owners and breeders to have their local-breds and imported yearlings pre-qualify for free participation to these events by joining the TOBA 2023 sale. The normal provision of a $75,000 nomination fee controlling the series of races will be retained insofar as horses not entered, sold, nominated, or passed through the TOBA Yearling auction of 2023 are concerned.

“Competitive bids on privately owned imported yearlings could lead to an exciting and memorable sale of imported and local-bred two-year-olds on Sunday, November 12.

“Remember entries for TOBAs Yearling sale closes on Wednesday, September 20 and breeders think of all the incentives waiting,” Walters ended.