Purse increase for KYSS

Thanks to legislation approved by the Kentucky legislature on Tuesday, purses for Kentucky Sire Stakes finals will double in 2006 from 2004 and 2005 levels, jumping from approximately $100,000 to $250,000.



Both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly approved Gov. Ernie Fletcher's budget and tax modernization plan on Tuesday that includes a provision creating a breeders' incentive plan in the state by diverting stallion taxes from the general fund to breeders. Senator Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown) wrote that section of the budget plan and championed it throughout the legislature. Thayer is also a vice president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.



Standardbred industry leaders also lobbied for the bill and were grateful for the additional $1.8 million that harness racing will receive as a breeding incentive. Marc Guilfoil, who handles the Kentucky Sire Stakes program through the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority office, said he expects meetings to continue to discuss the details of spending the funds.



"We've talked so far about having two legs and a final, with the finals going for $250,000, but more discussions will take place before anything is finalized," said Guilfoil.



Kentucky's stud fee sales tax generates approximately $15-million annually. Thoroughbred breeders will receive 80 percent while Standardbred breeders will receive 13 percent. The remaining 7 percent will go to other breeds.

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