The Kentucky Standardbred Breeders' Incentive Fund (KSBIF) was implemented in 2005 to ensure the strength and growth of the horse industry in Kentucky. The fund receives 13 percent of the 6 percent sales tax paid when breeding a mare to a stallion in the Commonwealth. The Kentucky Standardbred Development Fund (KSDF) is funded, in part, by a pari-mutuel tax paid by racetracks. The KSBIF and the KSDF, along with any other money contributed, appropriated or allocated from all other sources, fund the Kentucky Sire Stakes. The Kentucky Sire Stakes is administered by the KHRC. The Kentucky Sire Stakes programs covers a seven month long period where multiple series of races for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds are available to Kentucky breds who fulfill the requirements of 810 KAR 7:040.
Nomination Deadlines:
- Yearling Nominations Due: May 15
- Two (2) Year Old Nominations Due: March 15*, April 15 and May 15
- Three (3) Year Old Nominations Due: Feb. 15, March 15 and April 15
- **Stallion and Mare certificates of Eligibility due by Dec 31 of cover year
*March 15 payment is mandatory to be eligible as a three (3) year old
**Stallions may be nominated at any point throughout the year provided they will stand in KY for 180 calendar days of the breeding year and not stand in another jurisdiction in the same calendar year per 810 KAR 7:040.
KSDF Stallion Bonus Program
Beginning with foals born in 2022, any horse (1) by a stallion nominated to the program per 810 KAR 7:040 and standing in Kentucky, and (2) out of a mare residing in Kentucky for 180 days and nominated to the program per 810 KAR 7:040, is eligible to participate in the KSDF Stallion Bonus Program. Qualifying horses are eligible to receive a 50% bonus on final purse distributions when placed 1st-5th in all 2-year-old and 3-year-old Kentucky Sire Stakes and Kentucky Proud Races. The Stallion Bonus Program is capped at a total of $2 million dollars annually. All bonuses will be paid once harness racing concludes for the year to the registered owner of the horse at the time it raced. If the $2 million dollar cap is met within the racing year, then all awards will be paid on a pro rata basis.
**Effective 10/3/2023 previous nomination forms will no longer be accepted. Please use the updated forms listed under Nomination Forms. All nominations must include a copy of registration papers and payment to be processed**
