Serving the Washington Thoroughbred Industry for over 65 years

Washington Thoroughbred Foundation
Broodmare Lease Program Ends

fter lengthy and careful deliberation and exploration of other concepts and ideas to keep the program going, the Washington Thoroughbred Foundation has decided to discontinue the broodmare lease program for a variety of reasons. Among the major considerations were the lack of interest from would-be applicants and the costs needed to maintain the program. As a result, the WTF board recommended that the five program mares be sold and that any funds still left in the program be used to benefit the Thoroughbred industry, in keeping with the desires and conditions specified within the late Kitty Fletcher’s bequest.
    Now, we could end this story right there, but given some of the rumors and misinformation that has been recently circulating on the subject, I will summarize the history, past and present, of the program and the factors leading to its demise.
    First, I want to dispel erroneous statements which have suggested that the WTBA used WTBA funds to purchase the mares. The answer is, not one penny of WTBA funds was used for any activity associated with the broodmare program.
    The program was only recreated after Mrs. Fletcher bequeathed a sizeable amount of money to the Washington Thoroughbred Foundation for this specific purpose. In keeping with IRS codes and rules, there must be an arm’s length separation between the WTBA and WTF with no co-mingling of activities or expenditures between the two organizations. The board of the WTBA has no authority to override or veto any activity or expenditures approved by the foundation.
    Both Kitty and her husband John Fletcher were very active and stalwart supporters of the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders. For many years John held the position as the secretary/treasurer of the association. They were both huge supporters of programs which included education and the ways and means to interest new persons in becoming active as breeders and owners of Thoroughbreds.
    The original broodmare program had come into being over 50 years ago, owing to the gift of several mares to the then WHBA from a breeder in California. At that time, it was decided to start a program whereby persons who were already involved in other breeds of horses might become interested in breeding, raising and/or owning a Thoroughbred. The thought – and it worked – was to go through the process of “leasing” mares to selected young applicants as their 4-H projects. The pluses were many. With each child’s parent’s approval and support, the young horseperson would learn and take on the responsibility of caring for a mare and her foal. As this was in the age of a more rural community, the kids would already be living on an established farm with the necessary horse facilities. Each youngster would then have to sell their resulting foal at a WTBA sale, which would generate funds to further their education when they reached college age. There were many conditions which had to be met. Generally, some of the stallion owners donated breedings and other services as well. Visitations were made to each mare lessee’s facility to inspect and advise the participants in what they could do to better ensure a healthy and robust foal. (A quick side note. Going to the various farms from time to time to meet the parents, as well as the mare recipients, was a job I held many years ago). Once the foal was weaned from the mare, the mare would be sent on to the next child chosen through the application process.
    Among those who were introduced to the Thoroughbred via the broodmare program was future Washington Racing Hall of Fame inductee Guy Roberts. Guy had been involved with Quarter Horses. Each of his three daughters was awarded a mare from the program. From that introduction to the Thoroughbred world, Guy, with his wife Barbara, developed Guy Bar Farm into one of our state’s foremost breeding centers and along the way became one of the most respected members of our industry.
    Back to the original program. Ultimately, mares died or failed to produce desirable sales yearlings, and without the necessary funding to keep the program afloat, it just faded away. In those early days there were numerous applicants and it was always a tough chore to decide who was going to get each mare. There were always many more applicants than mares.
    Now fast forward to the present broodmare program, some 40 years later. As they say, “times they are changing!” The Fletcher bequest was designed with very specific conditions to resurrect the broodmare program. Mrs. Fletcher named an administrator whose job it was to ensure her desires and wants were carried out as she so deemed.
    As stated above, her legacy was given to the Washington Thoroughbred Foundation, not the WTBA. The foundation board, with its own by-laws, functions through an elected board which for the most part does not include any members of the WTBA board of directors.
    Following several meetings and the re-crafting of the rules and criteria to re-start a “new broodmare lease program,” one which would have the same intent as the original program, and with the approval of Mrs. Fletcher’s administrator, three young and in-foal mares were purchased at the 2002 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The following year, two additional mares were added to the program. There was a list of very specific requirements in order for a mare to be selected for the burgeoning program, including purchase price range, age of mare, covering stallion, last breeding dates, etc.
    At the time the application information was being drafted, the process of circulating information about the program to as many outside sources as possible also began. From using the WTBA website and our magazine, to circulating the program information with 4-H and youth horse show leaders and groups and to many other organizations which have an interest in horses and, which include youngsters between the age of 13 through their junior year in high school, the word was put out about the exciting WTF Broodmare Lease Program. Further, money was budgeted to extensively promote and attend horse functions, such as horse shows, rodeos and meetings in order to give out literature, answer questions and help generate interest in the program. The entire state was covered: east, west, south and north. Again, adhering to Mrs. Fletcher’s wishes, the program was looking for those who, while already involved in the world of horses, were not from existing Thoroughbred “families.”
    To be perfectly honest, while there were many, many girls, and to a lesser degree some boys, who were eager and excited upon hearing of the program, the reality was that the number of those who formally submitted applications was few. Among the small numbers, some who applied were either too young or too old; others had parents who did not want to be involved, i.e., meeting the requirements for insurance; and many of the facilities just weren’t up to the meeting the physical requirements needed for having a mare and foal, as relates to fencing, foaling stall, etc.
    Some of those who applied were city kids who had friends who had a “farm not too far from where they lived.” But that also negated the whole experience.
    After the second year of recruiting participants, the foundation board elected to “open” up the experience to those already involved in the Thoroughbred industry, be they children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews or other young relatives of industry participants.
    As added incentive, the foundation board later decided to “guarantee” each participant the sum of $5,000, in order to compensate for the time and energy spent raising each foal, regardless of what that yearling sold for at auction.
    But not only did the application stream continue to erode, the cost of maintaining the program, even though stud services in many cases (as well as many vet and horse vanning services) were donated, was taking its toll.
    This past fall, after much deliberation, soul searching and in keeping with the conditions of the Mrs. Fletcher’s bequest – a one-time gift – the foundation board wisely voted to disband the program. The mares were sold as a package, and for a good price, with the money reverting to the original fund. By selling the mares in a private package arrangement, the major expenses stopped. Currently, there are four yearlings, foals of 2006, being raised by the last group of young participants. These horses will be consigned to one of the two WTBA sales conducted later this year.
    In the meantime, the Washington Thoroughbred Foundation board will be exploring and discussing how best to use the remaining money, always keeping in mind the conditions set forth by Mrs. Fletcher with her generous gift.

Summary of Mares, Recipients and Foals

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