Building on the success of the California-bred Maiden
Bonus Program, the recently announced Golden State Series is already being
credited with fueling higher yearling sales prices and attracting promising
stallions to the state.
“With the California incentive program changes, it’s time
to start getting some Cal-breds and supporting Cal-breds,” said Joe Masino, manager
of Class Racing Stable, after he purchased a Cal-bred son of Unusual Heat for
$100,000 at the Barretts October Yearling Sale.
The opening select night session at Barretts yielded a 44
percent increase in average with the median doubling last year’s first session.
At the conclusion of the second day, the sale that predominantly consists of
Cal-breds had an overall average increase of nearly 20 percent.
Meanwhile, the state’s stallion roster has been upgraded
since the Golden State Series was announced in late September. Among the
newcomers for the 2012 breeding season are three sires relocating to
California: Heatseeker, a Grade I record-setting son of Giant’s Causeway,
standing at Harris Farms; Giacomo, a Kentucky Derby winner by Holy Bull
standing at Magali Farms; Aragorn, a son of Giant’s Causeway standing at Tommy
Town Thoroughbreds; and Rocky Bar, a son of In Excess standing at EA Ranches.
Among sires standing for the first time: Noble Court, a
multiple graded winner by Doneraile Court standing at Magali Farms; Bold
Chieftain, a millionaire by Chief Seattle standing at Victory Rose
Thoroughbreds; Calimonco, a son of Storm Cat and full brother of Sweet Catomine
standing at Ballena Vista Farm; Sierra Sunset, a Grade II winning son of
Bertrando standing at Rancho San Miguel; Slew’s Tiznow, a multiple stakes
winner by Tiznow standing at Rancho San Miguel; and Informed, a multiple graded
winner by Tiznow standing at Ridgeley Farm.
The 2012 Golden State Series encompasses new stakes and
purse enhancements to existing stakes totaling $2.325 million that will be
jointly funded by the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the California
Marketing Committee and through nominations of 2-year-olds in 2012.
For foals of 2010, a $300 eligibility payment must be
made by February 15. Foals not made eligible by that date can become eligible
with payment of a one-time supplemental fee of $25,000. Foals of 2009 and
earlier will be grandfathered into the program with no eligibility payment.
To encourage and reward participation, purse money will
be distributed through sixth place in races with purses between
$100,000-$150,000 and through eighth place in races with purses of
$200,000-$300,000.
Initially, the incentive programs are designed to
significantly boost purses and the number of races available for 2- and
3-year-olds to continue the quick return to owners and breeders. Over time, and
with success, the goal is to expand the purses and opportunities for older
horses as well. Purses for the new stakes series range from $100,000 to
$300,000 with races at all major California tracks, including the addition of
two turf races in Northern California.
The Golden State Series follows by two years
implementation of the Cal-bred Maiden Bonus Program, which rewards the owner of
a horse bred or sired in California with a huge financial return that has
increased the value of Cal-breds and provided breeders additional incentive to
breed. Combining the two programs will make it so people can’t afford not to
race Cal-breds.