Benefits
Our breeders’ awards programs give lucrative financial incentives for breeding and racing West Virginia bred and/or sired horses.
The West Virginia Thoroughbred Development Fund was established to add a monetary incentive for breeding and racing West Virginia thoroughbred horses. Breeders, owners, and sire owners are awarded a percentage of the WVTDF based on the accredited thoroughbred’s earnings at West Virginia race tracks.
The WV Thoroughbred Development Fund distributions (WV Code 19-23-13b(e)):
60% to Breeders/Raisers
25% to Owners
15% to Sire Owners
In 2019 the WVTDF distributed almost $3 million dollars to participants.
The Supplemental Purse Award program also pays breeders, sire owners, and WV resident owners up to 10% of a winning horse’s earnings for that particular race. Claims must be submitted to the WV Racing Commission within 15 days of the purse being awarded. (WV Code 19-23-13)Please refer to the claim form or contact the WVRC for further information and requirements.
Breeder requirements: WV Code 19-23-13b (h)
(1) The breeder of the West Virginia-bred foal is a West Virginia resident;
(2) The breeder of the West Virginia-bred foal is not a West Virginia resident, but keeps his or her breeding stock in West Virginia year round; or
(3) The breeder of the West Virginia-bred foal is not a West Virginia resident and does not qualify under subdivision (2) of this subsection, but either the sire of the West Virginia-bred foal is a West Virginia stallion, or the mare is covered only by a West Virginia accredited stallion or stallions before December 31 of the calendar year following the birth of that West Virginia-bred foal.
Sire owner requirements: please refer to page 2 of the Stallion Registration Form.
Accredited WV Sire: a sire that is permanently domiciled in West Virginia, stands a full season in West Virginia and is registered with West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association; (WV Code 19-23-3 (25))
WV Resident Mare: a mare that resides year round in West Virginia. Requires to be reported on a resident mare list and residency verified by the WVTDF Inspector. See Resident Mare Form for additional information. (WV Code 19-23-13b)
Non-resident Mare: A mare that does not reside year round in West Virginia. Non-resident mares are required to be inspected by the WVTDF inspector prior to foaling regardless of owner’s residency status. See resident Mare Form for additional information and contact information for WVTDF inspectors.
All foals out of non-resident mares require an Affidavit for Verification of Mare Foaling in West Virginia to be eligible for accreditation.
CLICK HERE to find out if you are eligible for these programs.
Racing Opportunities
Click here to view the 2022 Racing Schedule:
Charles Town Schedule
Charles Town Stakes Schedule
Mountaineer
$800,000 in purse monies are allocated for more than a dozen WV accredited stakes races during the year, including the Robert G. Leavitt Memorial Stakes for 3-year-olds; the Sadie Hawkins Stakes for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up; the Frank Gall Memorial Stakes for 3-year-olds and up; and the West Virginia Futurity for 2-year-olds.
The WV Breeders Classics held annually on the 2nd Saturday in October pays out almost $1M in purses for WV bred and/or sired horses.
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races currently offers 3 races per day that are restricted to accredited WV bred and/or sired horses.
Mountaineer offers 1 race per day that is restricted to accredited WV bred and/or sired horses.
A minimum of 14 WV Stake races per year including the WV Futurity are offered for Accredited WV Foaled and/or Sired horses. WV Futurity Nominations must be made by Dec 31 of the year the mare is covered and she must breed back to an accredited WV Stallion only, following the birth of the nominated foal to meet eligibility requirements. Additional payment to maintain eligibility are due by June 15 of the 2 year old year. Refund request due by August 15 of the foaling year. Please refer to the WV Futurity Nomination form for specific requirements.
Accredited WV Bred and/or Sired thoroughbred horses are also eligible to run in the WV Breeders Classic races. Please contact the WV Breeders Classics, LTD at 304-725-0709 for the requirements and more information about their program.
Horses foaled in WV are eligible to be nominated for the Tri-State Futurity. Please Contact Susan Graham at 304-724-4206 for requirements and information regarding the Tri-State Futurity.
