The Quarter Horse Improvement Program committee has increased total Breeders Awards, raised the Mare Breeding Incentive and created new incentive programs around stallions.
by Dave Briggs / Ontario Racing
TORONTO, ON (JULY 21, 2026) – Ontario’s Quarter Horse Improvement Program committee (QHIP) is pleased to announce how it has allocated $500,000 in additional funding this year for the province’s Quarter Horse breeders and owners.
The additional money pushes the total QHIP budget up nearly 42 per cent compared to the most recent fiscal year to $1.703 million.
The new money is part of $35 million in additional funding for all three of Ontario’s horse racing breeds, combined, for each of the next five years.
“Thank you to the Ontario government for the additional funding to help support Quarter Horse breeders and owners,” said Bob Broadstock, chair of the QHIP committee, which is a division on Ontario Racing. “The money is a tremendous investment in the rural Ontario economy, and one that provides a strong return to the province.
“The additional funding is essential for addressing high inflation and keeping Quarter Horse racing viable in Ontario. It also provides a future for Ajax Downs, Ontario’s lone Quarter Horse racetrack.”
Ajax Downs crowd shot - New Image Media
Highlights of the QHIP funding increases include:
• Total Breeders Awards up 50 per cent to $600,000.
• Stallion Awards up 50 per cent to $60,000.
• Mare Breeding Incentive up 150 per cent to $2,500 per mare.
• Ontario Sired / Ontario Bred purses increased by $5,000 each.
New Quarter Horse programs and incentives include:
• A Stallion Breeding Incentive of $500 for each 60-days-in-foal mare.
• Budget of $50,000 for a Stallion Purchase Program. Details to be announced this fall.
• In addition to the new QHIP funding, the Quarter Horse industry has also allocated approximately $280,000 in funding to raise purses for both restricted and open races.
For more information about the QHIP program, please visit Ontario Racing’s Quarter Horse program page here - https://ontarioracing.com/member-information/breeds/quarter-horse/quarter-horse-program
For more information:
Dave Briggs
Ontario Racing
dbriggs@ontarioracing.com
(416) 557-4716
Source: Ontario Racing
