As the 2013 racing season gets underway, the details of the 2013 Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP) have been released by the Program Administrator of the Horse Improvement Program. Cooperatively developed with input from the Thoroughbred industry, the 2013 Program provides incentives to breed and own horses in Ontario, though represents a 25% decline from 2012.

The 2013 program is worth $14.9 million (over $20 million in 2012) and continues to provide purse supplements for Thoroughbred Stakes Races, incentives for breeders and stallion operators and maintains the Ontario Bred Purse Bonus on Open Races at 20%.

Highlights include:

• Over $3 million available for Breeders and Stallion Awards

• Over $4 million in program incentives including purse supplements for Ontario Bred Stakes races, Canadian-Bred Stakes races, the Ontario Sires Stakes races and other program incentives

• 20% purse bonus for eligible Ontario Bred horses in Open races

• Over $4 million in the Restricted Overnight Racing Program.