Breeders’ Awards

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.

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.
• A separate form must be completed to register each mare with the OHHA every year the mare is bred.

The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association administers the Buckeye Owners’ Bonus (BOB).

The Buckeye Owners’ Bonus (BOB) is an 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’ Awards program and foaled in Ohio. Whether sold at public auctions or private sales or retained by the breeder, eligible horses will offer a new layer of earning potential for their owners.

Beginning with the 2024 foal crop, BOB will be paid to owners of eligible horses based on the horses’ performances as 2-year-olds in 2026, with payments distributed in 2027. The bonus payments 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.