MD Racing Commission Passes Breeder Bonus Increases

The recommended increases in breeder bonuses, presented at today's Maryland Racing Commission meeting by the Maryland Fund Advisory Committee, were passed for the period of January 1 through June 30, 2026. 

Recommendations presented on behalf of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA), as administrator of the MBRF:

• Increase the percentages for Breeder Bonuses to 24 percent and Stallion Bonuses to 8 percent, paid for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd on all overnight and stakes races (capped at $100,000). Maryland Million Day will remain Breeder 15 percent and Stallion 5 percent.
• Increase the Breeder Bonus for Maryland-sired* Maryland-breds foaled in 2023 and after to 33.6 percent (40 percent more than the bonus for non-Maryland-sired Maryland-breds) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd on all overnight races. *Sire must be registered.
• Increase the percentage for the additional Maryland-sired* Maryland-bred maiden winner Breeder Bonus to 8 percent (for foals of 2022 and earlier). *Sire must be registered.

"We are happy that the Maryland Racing Commission recognizes the importance Maryland-bred and -sired horses are to our racing product," said MHBA Executive Director Cricket Goodall. "The Maryland-Bred Race Fund bonus program is vital to rewarding breeders for doing their business in Maryland."

For more information on the Maryland-Bred Race Fund program, visit https://marylandthoroughbred.com/cms/index.php/foals/md-bred-fund/about-the-md-bred-fund