Kentucky Horse Racing & Gaming announced that $20 million in awards will be distributed to breeders participating in the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders’ Incentive Fund (KTBIF) to celebrate the program’s 20th anniversary. Since its inception in 2005, the KTBIF has awarded over $274 million to breeders of Kentucky-bred Thoroughbreds winning eligible races worldwide. The fund supports Kentucky’s equine industry by providing financial incentives to breeders who meet specific criteria, including breeding mares to registered Kentucky stallions and foaling in Kentucky. The 2025 awards total $20,000,227.81, recognizing breeders whose horses have excelled globally, including sweeping the Triple Crown races and winning prestigious international events.

Kentucky-bred Thoroughbreds dominated the 2025 racing season, winning 66% of graded stakes races in the U.S. and capturing eight Eclipse Awards, highlighted by Sovereignty as Horse of the Year. The program has been credited with reversing a decline in Kentucky’s mare market share and strengthening the state’s position as a global leader in Thoroughbred breeding and racing. Lawmakers and industry leaders praise the KTBIF for supporting family farms, boosting the rural economy, and ensuring the future success of Kentucky’s signature horse racing industry. More than 80,000 races worldwide have been rewarded through the program since its launch.