Frankfort – Senator Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown) announced today award amounts for the 2007 Kentucky Breeders' Incentive Fund. Thayer is the legislative author of the Breeders' Incentive program. The KBIF is funded 100% from the six percent sales tax on stud fees. The total KBIF awards will total $19,220,007, up from the $15,000,000 in awards for 2006. Below are the statutory breed amounts of KBIF awards, with 80% allotted to Thoroughbreds, 13% to Standardbreds, and 7% to qualified other breeds.

• Thoroughbreds - $15.5M (breeders incentives)
• Standardbreds - $2.85M (sire stakes purses)

All others: (For 2007, the percentages are based on an allocated amount of $1,370,007)

• KY Appaloosa Owners Association (4.49%) = $61,570
• South Central Hackney Association (1.20%) = $16,408
• KY Morgan Horse Association (1.23%) = $16,872
• KY Mountain Horse (12.06%) = $165,178
• KY Paint Horse Club (8.42 %) = $115,323
• KY Paso Fino Horse Association (1.03%) = $14,139
• KY Quarter Horse Association (32.60%) = $446,629
• KY Saddlebred Owners & Breeders Association (10.68%) = $146,381
• KY Walking Horse Association (28.28%) = $387,506

"These are positive steps to help Kentucky's horse industry, " said Thayer, Senate chairman of the Horse Farming Subcommittee. "It is gratifying to see the fund grow over 20% from 2006 to 2007, a sure sign that the fund is accomplishing its goal of attracting more horses to Kentucky's farms. This will create more equine commerce and a more robust economy, and help Kentucky maintain its position as Horse Capital of the World ."

   The KBIF is administered by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, which reports that checks are scheduled to be mailed to award recipients during the first quarter of 2008.