Proposal to Modify the Process of Certification of Washington-breds

Click to read Certification Proposal

Click to read Frequently Asked Questions, Part 2

If you have additional questions that are not answered below, please
feel free to send them to us at newsletter@washingtonthoroughbred.com

FAQs, Part 1

Why do we need certification?

A: The Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association (WTBOA) would like to modify the process of certification of Thoroughbreds foaled within the state of Washington. The result of this modification would be to ensure that only Thoroughbreds foaled in Washington and certified by the WTBOA would be eligible for Breeders' and Owners' Awards.

The WTBA was responsible for the original legislation establishing the Washington-bred Breeders' and Owners' Awards. Washington was one of the first states to have an breeders' and owners' awards program. At that time the importance of mandatory membership in the organization in order to receive these awards was not foreseen or anticipated. Many states that established breeders' and owners' awards programs since then have concurrent certification and membership programs.

Many of the breeders of Washington-bred Thoroughbred foals receive breeders' and owners' awards but are not members of the WTBOA. We feel it is unfair for breeders to participate in the awards program without supporting the organization.

We also feel that a certification program would help uphold the integrity of the Washington-bred horse. Currently anyone can claim their foal was born in Washington by merely selecting Washington as the state of birth on The Jockey Club (TJC) registration application. While a certification program may not eliminate untrue claims, it would certainly make it harder for a breeder to claim a foal was born in Washington if indeed it was foaled somewhere else.

Why now?

A: We have a good relationship with the WHRC, the WHBPA and Emerald Downs. We see this as a window of opportunity to help the WTBOA to help breeders and ensure that breeding in Washington will continue.

The WTBOA brings many benefits to breeders other than the awards. These benefits come with a cost. The certification program would help in that regard, providing income that will aid the association in continuing to provide these much-needed benefits.

Is there a problem with breeders claiming to foal in Washington when in fact they do not?

A: We have no knowledge that this has happened, but many breeders and owners have asked this question. Certification could help protect people who legitimately foal in Washington from false rumors. Increased integrity and credibility could lead to added value for properly certified horses.

Why do we care if a horse registered as Washington-bred was in fact foaled in Washington?

A: Any horse foaled in Washington is eligible for breeders' and owners' awards. The total amount of money available to owners and breeders varies each year based on handle. The total amount paid out to each horse depends on how many Washington-breds are eligible that year. If horses are listed as being Washington-bred but they are not, they take money out of the pool that is not ethically or legally theirs, thereby leaving less money for the legitimate breeders and owners of Washington-breds.

How would certification ensure that a horse is really foaled in Washington?

A: We will not be able to absolutely guarantee that. However, the process we are proposing will help. Currently, the breeder merely selects a state on the TJC application for registration. We will require a signature from the breeder stating that the foal was born in Washington and we will require a physical address. We will also require that if the foal was born on a farm or at an address not belonging to the breeder, the farm where that foal was born will also have to submit a signed statement saying that the foal was born on their premises. If there are questions regarding the legitimacy, the premises may be inspected.

How would certification affect breeders of a foal that have one or more partners?

A: First, to clarify, the fee is for the horse, and the horse must have TJC registration papers before application can be made for certification. The name(s) listed as the breeder(s) of the horse on the TJC registration will have to be the same as the name on the application for certification. Only the breeder can apply for certification.

If more than one person is listed as the breeder on the TJC registration papers, and every person is a member of the WTBOA, the fee for certification would be $25. For example, if Susan Smith and Janet Jones are listed as the breeders and they are both members of the WTBOA, they would pay a total fee of $25 to certify the horse.

If any of the individuals in the ownership group as listed on the TJC registration papers are not members of the WTBOA, then the fee to certify would be $175 $50. (As a result of concerns and input from our members and others involved in the Washington Thoroughbred industry, the proposed non-member fee has been reduced to $50.) For instance, if the names on the TJC registration papers list Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Joe Jones and Fancy Farm as the breeder, and only Joe Jones is a member of the WTBOA, then the fee would be $175 $50 to certify.

If the breeder of the horse includes more than one person, the group could become a member of the WTBOA using an entity name as the breeder on the TJC registration papers. The WTBOA membership would cost the group $150, and the fee to certify would be $25. For instance, if the breeder is listed as “Have Fun Racing,” then “Have Fun Racing” could join the WTBOA for $150. The fee for certification would be $25. If “Have Fun Racing” is the breeder of multiple horses, then each horse they bred could be certified for $25. Any future breeders' awards would be paid to “Have Fun Racing.”

In addition, all horses going through WTBOA sales will be certified if they are Washington-bred. (Membership in the WTBOA is required in order to sell in a WTBOA sale, as required for our nonprofit status by the IRS.)

What can I do?

A: The Washington Horse Racing Commission (WHRC) is currently taking public comment regarding the proposed certification program. You can make your feelings known by taking a brief (less than a minute) survey on the WHRC website at whrc.wa.gov. We encourage you to select Option 2 in order to help us move this action forward for the benefit of all of those who are involved in breeding and racing in the state of Washington.

PLEASE NOTE: The WHRC site asks you to complete the survey by May 31, 2010. However, they will accept comments and survey responses until mid-afternoon on Thursday, June 10. The certification program is on the agenda for the WHRC meeting that will take place on Friday, June 11, at 9:30 a.m. at the Auburn City Council Chambers, 25 W. Main, Auburn. We urge your support both in taking the survey and with your presence at the meeting on June 11.

Go to Top