Damon Thayer Honored by Breeders
by Dan Liebman
Date Posted: 4/25/2007 3:26:09 PM
Last Updated: 4/26/2007 9:46:04 AM

Damon Thayer, a member of the Kentucky Senate who works for the Breeders' Cup, was honored April 25 for his role in the passage of the 2005 bill that created the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund.

At the annual luncheon to honor Kentucky-bred champions by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders and Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, Thayer was credited for shepherding the legislation that this year will see $12.5 million paid to breeders.

"The Breeders Incentive is the cornerstone of my legislative accomplishments," Thayer told the group assembled at Keeneland.

Thayer said Idle Hour Farm owner David Hager had the idea for funding the program by transferring the sales tax on stud fee from the state's general fund to the incentive program.

He also thanked Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher, who he said supported the idea after just "one, 15-minute conversation," and KTA executive director Dave Switzer, who he called "an excellent advocate" for the industry.

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