Ohio Sired Stakes, Ohio Breeders' Awards, and Buckeye Owners' Bonus Eligibility Information
Ohio Breeders' Awards, Buckeye Owners' Bonus (BOB), Mare Registration, and Residency are not linked to a resulting foal's Ohio Sired Stakes Eligibility.
Eligibility for Ohio Sired Stakes Races
The Ohio State Racing Commission administers Ohio stallion registration
- Ohio Sired Stakes eligible foals shall be only those sired by a standardbred stallion that was registered with the Ohio State Racing Commission and stood in the state the entire breeding season of the year the colt or filly was conceived under Ohio Revised Code 3769.085 and 3769.082.
- A Standardbred Stallion Certificate must be issued, valid and in effect for foal eligibility to Ohio Fairs Fund races, Ohio Standardbred Development Fund races, and all other Ohio Sired races or Ohio Sired eligible races per Ohio Administrative Code 3769-15-34. The foal of any mare bred by any stallion without complying with the rules and regulations of the stallion registration will not be eligible for nomination to any Ohio Sired Events.
Eligibility for Ohio Breeders' Awards
The Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association administers Ohio standardbred Breeders' Awards
- Mares must be bred to a registered Ohio standardbred stallion.
- Mares must foal in Ohio and remain in Ohio for 187 consecutive days in the year of foaling.
- All owners of the mare must be OHHA members.
- Forms are filled out to register mare(s) with the OHHA every year your mare(s) is bred.
Mare Registration Lookup
| Mare Registration Date and OHHA Membership Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Mares registered in 2025 (2026 foals) mare registration date 11/30/25 | |
| Foal born 2026 | 2026 membership required |
| Mares registered in 2024 (Foals of 2025) mare registration date 11/30/24 | |
| Foal born 2025 | 2025 membership required |
Eligibility for BOB
The Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association administers the Buckeye Owners' Bonus (BOB)
The Buckeye Owners Bonus (BOB) is a new incentive program for owners of Ohio-bred Standardbreds. This initiative is designed to add value to Ohio’s Standardbred breeding program and reward owners who invest in Ohio’s equine future. BOB encourages the purchase of Ohio-bred yearlings whose dams were registered with the Ohio Breeders Award Program and foaled in Ohio. Whether sold at public auctions or raised on a farm, eligible horses will offer a new layer of earning potential for their owners.
Beginning with the 2024 foal crop, BOB bonuses will be paid out to owners of eligible horses based on the horses' performances as 2-year-olds in 2026, with payments distributed in 2027. The payment of the BOB bonus will be made to the first owner of record listed with the USTA as of November 1 of the racing year. All owners must be current members of the OHHA.