Pennsylvania’s

Thoroughbred Breeding

Fund Program

Pennsylvania’s Breeding Fund Program
distributes more money, on a per foal basis,
than nearly every other state-bred program
now in operation.

Established in 1974, the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund has grown from a
disbursement of $65,000 in its initial year of operation and has increased to
over $20 million annually.

PA-Breds have preferred starter status in all overnight races at Philadelphia Park,
Penn National, and Presque Isle Downs, with the exception of certain races
whereby specific conditions outline additional preferences, such as certain turf
races and starter handicaps. In these races, PA-Bred preference is general to the
sub-groups of entrants.

Lucrative stakes races restricted to PA-Breds are regularly offered throughout
the year at Philadelphia Park, Penn National, and Presque Isle.


Eligibility Criteria for Pennsylvania-Bred

Thoroughbred Registration

A foal must be registered with the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association
(PHBA) to be eligible for Pennsylvania Breeding Fund monies.

A Thoroughbred foal born in the state of Pennsylvania and registered as such
with The Jockey Club is eligible for Pennsylvania-Bred registration with the PHBA
if one of the following conditions is met:

  • For foals of 2008 and thereafter, the dam of the foal resided continuously in Pennsylvania since October 1 of the year of conception through foaling.
  • The dam of the foal was purchased at a public sale after October 1 of the year of conception and brought into Pennsylvania within 14 days of the date of purchase and remained continuously through foaling. During the year of foaling, the foal or its dam spent at least ninety (90) days in the state.
  • The dam of the foal was bred to a stallion standing in Pennsylvania which was registered with the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association as a Pennsylvania stallion during the breeding season of the year of foaling, and said dam of the foal remained in the state for at least the next ninety (90) days after foaling.

All of Penn Ridge Farms’ sires are Registered Pennsylvania stallions, making their foals eligible for Pennsylvania-Bred registration and the new Pennsylvania Stallion Series.

For more information on the PA Bred program or the PA Stallion Series, please visit the PHBA web site.