***MRC PRESS RELEASE***

The Minnesota Racing Commission (“MRC”) is pleased to announce a series of major updates to the administrative rules covering the Minnesota Breeders’ Fund.   

The MRC initiated the rulemaking effort in June 2019 to revise and update the fund rules in response to requests from Minnesota breeders, horsemen, and racetracks to harmonize the rules among the racing breeds in Minnesota and to modernize the rules by updating language where appropriate.  

“The new breeders’ fund rules are the result of many months of Minnesota Racing Commission members and executive staff working with key industry stakeholders, led by the Quarter Horse, Standardbred, and Thoroughbred Breeders’ Fund Advisory Committees. Each of these groups provided valuable input to this process,” said Nicole Edstrom, the Minnesota Breeders’ Fund Coordinator. 

The Minnesota Breeders’ Fund exists to create incentives to support Minnesota breeders and to encourage buyers of Minnesota-bred horses to race at Canterbury Park and Running Aces Casino, Hotel, and Racetrack through breeder and stallion awards as well as purse supplements at both racetracks. The breeders’ fund also provides money for in state, postsecondary equine research and related education in the form of grants, contracts, and other expenditures.  

Some changes to the rules include:  

·         Rules allowing the MRC to accept digital or electronic certificates when available to determine eligibility; 

·         Language that more clearly defines the distribution of awards and time of payment; 

·         Rules that pertain to how qualified earnings for Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds are attained when racing outside of Minnesota; 

·         Revised dates and deadlines relative to broodmare and foal registrations, harmonizing the dates used to determine eligibility for Quarter Horses and Thoroughbred in Minnesota; and 

·         Elimination of rules requiring Minnesota resident ownership of stallions to be eligible for the breeders’ fund program. 

For more detailed information, participants are encouraged to visit the Minnesota Breeders’ Fund website at https://www.mnbreedersfund.com or contact the Racing Commission at mrcinfo@state.mn.us.