Serving the Washington Thoroughbred Industry for over 65 years

About the Association

MISSION STATEMENT:
"To foster, promote and support persons who are,
or who are likely to become, interested in the breeding,
racing and/or improving of Thoroughbred horses
in the state of Washington."

he Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association was founded in 1940 as a nonprofit organization composed of persons interested in the breeding and improvement of the Thoroughbred. Through a wide variety of programs the WTBA strives to foster and preserve the traditions of the Thoroughbred in the state of Washington and across the country.
    The WTBA has played a dramatic role in the growth and prosperity of the Washington Thoroughbred industry. This has been achieved through the support of its members. Only through continued support by interested horsemen can the association and its services endure. Support the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association by becoming a member so we can continue with the following programs:

SALES
     WTBA members are eligible to market their Thoroughbreds through the sales program supervised by the WTBA. The association conducts its Summer Yearling Sale in late August or early September and the Winter Mixed Sale on the first weekend in December at the Morris J. Alhadeff Sales Pavilion at Emerald Downs in Auburn.
     The sales program is designed to fit the needs of both buyers and sellers, whether their interests lie in weanlings, yearlings, horses of racing age or breeding stock. The WTBA actively promotes the program through advertising and personal contact with buyers and sellers throughout North America.

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION
     Dating back to 1940 when the WTBA was incorporated, the association has taken an aggressive and forward position on legislative issues which have had an impact on the well-being of the Washington Thoroughbred industry. The ability of the WTBA to mobilize its membership at the grass roots level to support or oppose proposed legislation is essential to the success of the industry.
     In cooperation with the Washington Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association and Washington's racing associations, the WTBA actively monitors and lobbies the state legislature in Olympia. For example, the WTBA was responsible for the passage of the One Percent Owners' Bonus Bill in 1969, which has distributed over $54 million to owners of Washington-bred horses which have raced successfully within the state's boundaries.
     In 1985, the WTBA joined with the Washington HBPA and the state's racing associations in developing and securing the passage of Senate Bill 3342, which generated more than $4 million in additional revenue to the racing industry in just its first year in effect. In 1991, the WTBA helped pass legislation which further increased purses and reduced the state's share of the mutuel takeout. The funds generated from this reduction aided in the construction of Emerald Downs, the state's major racetrack, thus helping to secure racing's future in Washington.

BREEDERS' AWARDS
     Any bona fide breeder of a Washington-bred Thoroughbred is eligible to receive breeders' awards, regardless of who owns the horse at the time of winning, so long as the horse in question wins a race at a major track in the state of Washington.
     Originally negotiated by the WTBA, the payment of breeders' awards by the racing associations dates back to 1945. The WTBA played a major role in the passage of the legislation which addresses the continuing payment of breeders' awards from the pari-mutuel handle and which has resulted in the distribution of nearly $25 million to the breeders of Washington-bred winners at the state's racetracks during the last six decades.

WASHINGTON THOROUGHBRED
     All members receive the WTBA's award-winning monthly magazine, Washington Thoroughbred, featuring comprehensive coverage of both the Washington and Oregon racing and breeding industries.
     The Washington Thoroughbred includes complete statistical data relevant to members' breeding, racing and marketing programs, as well as educational information, up-to-date veterinary news, individual farm features, sales previews and highlights, human interest articles, important reminders, and classified and display advertising.
     Two issues are of particular importance: the February Annual Review, which recaps racing and breeding in Washington and Oregon for the previous year, including complete statistics on Washington-bred and Oregon-bred racehorses, breeding stock and leading breeders; and the December Stallion Register, which features consistent side-by-side data on stallions standing in Washington and Oregon.
     In 2000, the Washington Thoroughbred Farm and Service Directory was reinstituted. Over 5,000 copies of this handy industry reference tool, listing farms, services, trainers, etc., are distributed throughout Washington and the Pacific northwest every other year.
     The magazine is a General Excellence award winner from the American Horse Publications and has also received awards for photography and illustrations that were presented within its pages. In 2005, Washington Thoroughbred received a second place award for an in-depth and heartfelt story about the great racehorse and Washington Racing Hall of Fame inductee Turbulator, written by Jon White.

NORTHWEST RACE SERIES
     The WTBA designed and provides the administrative work for the exciting Northwest Race Series, an innovative series of races under a one nomination umbrella which has no state-bred restrictions. It also offers stallion and nominator bonus awards.
     The two-year-old series made its debut in 1988. In 1996, the program was expanded to include a limited number of three-year old races. In 1999, it was once again expanded to include stallion stakes for three-year-old colts and geldings and three-year-old fillies. Through 2005, a sum in excess of $11.5 million had been won by horses competing in the program. This rich race series has garnered national acclaim.

RESEARCH LIBRARIES and ON-LINE COMPUTER
     The WTBA maintains one of the finest and most complete research libraries in the country, available to members at no extra cost. The library is constantly upgraded to provide up-to-date information regarding race records, sire records, broodmare production records, breeding theory, etc.
     Also available are a broad selection of technical and veterinary reference books, historical information, general reading material concerning the Thoroughbred industry, a wide variety of magazines, sales catalogs, Daily Racing Forms from Washington and Oregon, Daily Racing Form and The Jockey Club microfiche.
     Also available for purchase through the WTBA are computer printouts from Bloodstock Research and Equine Line in Kentucky. The computer provides over 50 different printouts ranging from race records to full five-generation pedigrees and complete sales catalog page information.

VIDEO LIBRARY
     The WTBA video library includes tapes on horse care, stable management, races of interest and individual farms and stallions available for viewing on our wide screen television.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
     The WTBA sponsors a wide range of educational programs and forums, including the Horseman's Short Courses, which have brought some of the industry's most respected and knowledgeable leaders to Washington for one- to three-day seminars.
     These educational experiences cover racing, breeding management and theories, marketing and much more. Other events include sales and tax seminars aimed at introducing new people to the racing industry.

SERVICES
     Among the many services offered by the WTBA are: assistance with registration of members' Thoroughbreds and serving as a liaison between members and The Jockey Club, pedigree evaluation and Thoroughbred appraisals, assistance in arranging sales and leases, marketing guidance, etc.
     The WTBA either has someone on staff or can refer you to the proper authority to help you with any question or need you may have regarding your participation in the sport/business. The WTBA has also been designated as a regional information center for the Breeders' Cup Series.

PROMOTIONAL
     Direct and frequent exchanges with the media, arranging press conferences, relaying pertinent stories, gaining media coverage for sales and interesting aspects of the industry are all part of the WTBA's focus in promoting racing and breeding whenever possible.

EQUINE ART SHOW
(Under the auspices of the Washington Thoroughbred Foundation)
     One of the highlights of the summer is the annual Equine Art Show. It was conceived as a way to encourage and promote young and unknown artists who are interested in the equine animal. Entries are received from all over the western United States and several artists have gone on to receive national recognition.

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS and ANNUAL AWARDS
     There's no better way to learn the sport/business of Thoroughbred horse racing and breeding than from friends and associates in a relaxed atmosphere. The WTBA provides that setting several times each year at such events as the annual awards banquet, annual meeting, etc.

FREE GENERAL ADMISSION TO EMERALD DOWNS
    Free general admission to Emerald Downs (live and satelliting, on-site only) on any race day throughout the year.

REDUCED HEALTH INSURANCE RATES
The WTBA has joined with the Washington Farm Bureau (in partnership with Premera Blue Cross) to provide an outstanding benefit program to our members -- save money, join a stable insurance pool and enjoy quality benefits.

REGULARLY UPDATED WEB SITE

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