A popular program designed to reward Ontario Thoroughbred breeders for bringing new mares to the province has nearly double the funding compared to a year ago.
Thanks to new money from the provincial government, the Ontario Thoroughbred Improvement Program's (TIP) Mare Purchase Program (MPP) has a total budget of $750,000 for the 2026-27 fall/winter season, up from $400,000 in 2025-26.
But, with the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale set to begin on Nov. 3, it's important to note the funds in the MPP are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until the entire $750,000 budget is used.
Breeder Karen Carroll of Shedden, ON has used the MPP twice in recent years and said she is considering using it again this fall to help purchase another mare to increase her broodmare band to a total of four mares.
"Instead of getting that lower-priced mare, there's up to $25,000 you can get back [per mare]," Carroll said. "So, you'll go that little bit extra to get a little nicer mare. You're hoping for better offspring, and, hopefully, it turns around on the racetrack, and you have better luck there because a better-bred mare generally gives you better luck on the racetrack."
The MPP gives eligible applicants up to 50 per cent of the purchase price of in-foal mares to a maximum of $25,000 per mare. The mare must be purchased at a recognized public auction outside of Ontario, with progeny of 2027 to foal in Ontario. RNAs are not eligible.
Purchasers must be Ontario residents, provide proof of residency, and have a valid license with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). There is a maximum of $75,000 for any one individual, partnership, corporation or other ownership group. In terms of the program, U.S. and Canadian money is considered to be at par.
There is also a bonus of $2,500 for every mare that is bred back to a registered Ontario Sire in the 2027 breeding season upon the declaration of a live foal with The Jockey Club.
In all, Carroll has received $50,000 from the MPP thanks to her two purchases.
At the 2025 Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale, Carroll purchased Spouty's Girl, a Practical Joke mare out of Compete in foal to Munnings, for $150,000. She received $25,000 back from the MPP. Spouty's Girl foaled a filly this spring.
In 2022, Carroll spent $70,000 to purchase Catch the Fire, a Kitten's Joy-Catch the Flag mare in foal to Knicks Go at the same Keeneland sale. Caroll received $25,000 back from the MPP that year, as well. Catch the Fire has produced three foals at Carroll's Talbot Creek Farm - a Knicks Go filly in 2023, a Good Magic colt (now gelding) in 2024 and a Dornoch colt this year.
Carroll said the MPP also helps Ontario breeders tackle the exchange rate difference between U.S. and Canadian dollars.
"You've got a 40 per cent exchange rate on your money," Carroll said. "That takes a big chunk out of your spending money. [The MPP] at least helps you get a little bit more in your pocket when you come back home."
The new money in the MPP is part of $5 million in additional funding this year for the province's Thoroughbred breeders and owners. The additional money pushes the total TIP budget up 28 per cent compared to the most recent fiscal year - from just over $15.1 million to $19.4 million for this year. The new money is part of $35 million in additional funding for all three of Ontario's racing breeds, combined, for each of the next five years.
David Anderson is the chair of the TIP committee, which is a division of Ontario Racing. He said the MPP, "is one of the most successful programs not just in Ontario, but in North America. It is an incredible program that supports our breeders with purchasing better-quality mares outside of Canada and bringing them back to Ontario. Over the past several years, since we have implemented the program, we have brought over 200 new mares to Ontario."
Last year, Evan Sandhu used the MPP to help him purchase three European-bred broodmares to Amplify Stables' growing operation. In 2022, Sandhu's family founded Amplify Stable in Loretto, ON. Sandhu has been steadily growing the business ever since.
Sandhu purchased a total of $37,000 from the MPP last year. He said he is "actively shopping" for more mares this fall thanks to the program.
At the 2025 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, Sandhu purchased Girl on Film (FR), an Dabirism (FR)-Pretty Paper (IRE) mare in foal to Oscar Performance for $30,000; Lady de Peron (GB), a Kingman (GB)-Madam President (GB) mare in foal to Up to the Mark for $20,000 and Sing me Home (GB), a Muhaarar (GB)-Smart Change mare in foal to Yaupon for $25,000.
Sandhu said after Sing me Home foaled, he sold her privately. The other two mares he bred after they foaled. Lady de Peron was bred to Tiz the Law and Girl on Film was bred to Ontario stallion Sergei Prokofiev.
"Without the [MPP] program, breeders like me who are just young and starting out in the business cannot afford to upgrade as fast," Sandhu said. "I can catch up years on people... because of the program, and I think that's what sticks out.
"You can buy some of the best bloodlines in the world because they all come to Kentucky to sell, and I can afford to buy into families that people have spent literally decades and tens of millions of dollars in cultivating and fostering. Without the [MPP] program, a guy like me can't even look at that stuff. All of my disposable income literally goes into acquiring mares and running the [Amplify] stud and keeping our staff on board.
"Fifty per cent of the money you get back, and that's a big boost. That's money I can use towards stud fees. And when you're excited, your staff's excited about foaling [progeny of] some of these top U.S. stallions on the farm. It just attracts a different kind of talent, and it's a positive thing.
Breeder Irving Langill of Langcrest Farm said he is exiting the breeding business at the age of 91, but he used the MPP to help purchase two Tapit mares at the 2024 Keeneland Breeding Stock Sale - August Snow for $40,000, and Love's Illusion for $47,000. He received $43,500 back from the MPP.
"There's no doubt it's a great program, and we went down and bought a couple of mares [and used it]," Langill said. "Now, we were planning on spending that kind of money anyway, so [the money from the MPP] enabled us to do other things with the horses.
"But a lot of people wouldn't buy that quality of mare if they didn't have the help.
"[The MPP] also helps the industry in Canada. because if I do well, Canadian racing will do well."
For more information about TIP's Mare Purchase Program, please contact the TIP coordinator at tbprogram@ontarioracing.com or call (647) 385-8127.
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