Registration Fees for Kentucky-breds to Increase

Registration fees for eligible Kentucky-breds will jump by 50% to 100% under a plan approved Oct. 2 by the Kentucky Racing Commission at the request of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders.

Under the new structure, Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund registration fees will be $200 for stallions, up from $100; $300 for horses of racing age, up from $200; $50 for yearlings, up from $25; and $30 for foals, up from $15.

The KTDF Advisory Committee made the recommendation. According to chairman Don Ball, fees are used for administration and to promote and enhance the Thoroughbred industry in Kentucky. The additional revenue, he said, would be used for that purpose at a time when the state finds itself having to compete with programs in California, Florida, and New York.

For the 2002-2003 budget year, the KTOB had a budget deficit of $20,049. Without the increase, the deficit for 2003-2004 would be $67,747.

"Funding for research for (mare reproductive loss syndrome) has been an unforeseen cost that will continue during the next few years, as well as increases in other costs for breeder awards and other projects," Ball said.

The last increase in registration fees came in 1990. Fees in other states are higher than those in Kentucky even with the increase, Ball said.

The KTDF isn't funded through the fees but rather through pari-mutuel handle. The program pays about $10 million a year to registered Kentucky-breds.