Maryland Horse Breeders Association

Beyond the Wire, a Maryland-based Thoroughbred aftercare program, will be honored with the Maryland Jockey Club's Special Award of Merit during the Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Thursday. The Special Award of Merit is presented to those who have made a positive impact on the racing industry. Past winners include Hall of Fame horsemen D. Wayne Lukas, Jerry Bailey, Ramon Dominguez and King Leatherbury; late Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim McKay, founder of the Maryland Million; and MJC track photographer Jim McCue. "We are honored and really appreciate the recognition, as...

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) has announced the creation of an aftercare account that will direct funds to support Maryland-bred racehorses as they are retired and preparing for their second career. The account, called BackStop, will be funded by extracting a $25 fee from each Maryland-bred registration submitted. BackStop funds will not replace or relieve the responsibility of the owner, breeder or trainer to arrange for aftercare for their retirees. Funds will be disperses on an as-available basis up to $2,000 and are to be used as adjunct support...

GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Knicks Go (Paynter) was honored as 2021 Maryland-bred Horse of the Year during the fifth annual Renaissance Awards held virtually throughout the week of Feb. 28. The awards, which are a collaborative effort between the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Maryland Jockey Club, were presented through the MHBA's social media accounts. Also honored were champion 2-year-old male Joe (Declaration of War), champion 2-year-old filly Luna Belle (Great Notion), champion 3-year-old male Jaxon Traveler (Munnings), champion 3-year-old filly Street Lute (Street Magician),...

Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner and likely Horse of the Year Knicks Go (Paynter) was named Top Midlantic-Bred of 2021 in the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred/The Racing Biz Top Midlantic-bred Poll. It's the second straight year he's earned Top Midlantic-Bred honors. "To see him win this award not once but twice is incredible," said Sabrina Moore, who along with her mother Angie, bred Knicks Go in Maryland. "It's been an amazing journey, and I'm so grateful for it." "We are so proud that Knicks Go has been recognized for this...

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) Board of Directors recently voted unanimously to begin an award program for Breeder, Owner and Stallion bonuses for registered Maryland-breds at sanctioned steeplechase race meets in Maryland. Beginning in 2022, registered Maryland-bred horses that run first, second or third will receive 30% on purses earned at National Steeplechase Association-sanctioned meets in Maryland. This program is modeled on the current bonuses paid to Maryland-breds that run at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course and Timonium. The five meets that qualify for this program this year are:...

The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF) has awarded $10,000 to the Maryland Horse Industry Foundation to be used for a work experience program, the returning of the Maryland Thoroughbred career program, and continued promotion of Marylandhorse.com. The Maryland Horse Foundation was chartered in 1988 by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association to serve various educational and charitable needs of the Maryland horse industry. The MHF has developed and supports a number of educational programs and is responsible for the maintenance and expansion of the Maryland Horse Library & Education Center....

The Maryland Bred Fund will implement additional incentives that have been approved by the Maryland Racing Commission, the Maryland Horse Breeders Association announced Wednesday. In addition to increasing breeder and stallion bonuses on all stakes races in Maryland, there will be two new plans to incentivize and reward breeders of Maryland-sired horses: Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, an additional 10% Breeder Bonus (for a total of 40%, with the existing 30%), to all Maryland-Sired and Maryland-Bred Maiden winners in Maryland. Beginning with Maryland-bred foals of 2023 (2-Year-Olds of 2025), there will...

The Maryland Horse Library and Education Center was designated by the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) as the Educational and Cultural Center of the Maryland Horse Park System. The new, multi-faceted facility will honor the history and importance of Maryland's horse industry. "Maryland is home to over 100,000 horses, more horses per square mile than any other state," said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. "With over 40 equine disciplines practiced right here in Maryland and premiere horse events held year-round, our state's equestrian industry is world-renowned. This center will teach Marylanders and...

For the first time since the inaugural year in 2013, more than two horses will be inducted into a class of the Maryland-bred Thoroughbred Hall of Fame. Selected for the class of 2021 are national champions Conniver, Devil's Bag and J. O. Tobin, voted in by a committee of Maryland racing industry members coordinated by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and Maryland Racing Media Association. "With this newest class of Hall of Fame inductees, the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and the Maryland Racing Media Association are proud to recognize Maryland-bred...

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association Board of Directors elected Richard F. Blue, Jr. as president, Christy Holden as vice president and Michael Horning as secretary/treasurer during its July 14 meeting. Blue, President of Blue & Obrecht Realty LLC, served on the MHBA board in 2001 and 2002, again from 2011 to 2017 and was re-elected for another three-year term in 2019. He is a past president of Maryland Million and serves as co-chair of the Maryland Horse Library & Education Center Capital Campaign Committee and on the board of the...

Presented virtually the week of Feb. 22, the fourth annual Renaissance Awards, a collaborative effort between the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Maryland Jockey Club, was highlighted by Knicks Go (Paynter) earning the title of Maryland Horse of the Year and champion older horse for the 2020 season. Owned by Korea Racing Authority and trained by Brad H. Cox, the grey capped off an impressive year with a victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland in November. He is only the fifth Maryland-bred...

Eclipse champions Heavenly Cause and What a Summer have been inducted into the Maryland-bred Thoroughbred Hall of Fame. The selections were made by a committee of Maryland racing industry members coordinated by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and Maryland Racing Media Association. "These two great mares deserve their place of honor among our Hall of Fame horses. They were the product of dedicated Maryland breeders who were rewarded with great champions," said Cricket Goodall, executive director of Maryland Horse Breeders Association. What a Summer, a two-time GII Fall Highweight H....