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Maryland Bred Bonuses
Rewarding the Success of Maryland-Bred Horses
The MTHA is proud to administer the Maryland-Bred Owner & Developer Bonus Program, one of the most significant incentives available to Maryland horse owners. Designed to reward the connections of Maryland-bred horses throughout their racing careers, the program provides substantial bonus payments to owners and developers when registered Maryland-breds finish in the top three of eligible races.
The program is funded through the Maryland Thoroughbred Purse Account and serves as a powerful incentive to breed, own, and race Maryland-bred horses. In addition to strengthening the state’s breeding industry, the program helps create long-term value for owners by rewarding success both in Maryland and through special out-of-state incentive opportunities during designated periods of the racing calendar. This program serves as a compliment to the Maryland Racing Commission's Maryland-Bred Breeders Bonus program that is administered by the Maryland Horse Breeders' Association.
Under the MTHA's program, registered Maryland-breds that finish first, second, or third in open overnight races receive bonus payments that are divided equally between the Owner and the Developer.
For purposes of the program, a Developer is defined as the owner of the horse at the time of its first career start. Once established, the Developer designation remains with the horse throughout its racing career, regardless of subsequent ownership changes.
The program is funded through the Maryland Thoroughbred Purse Account and serves as a powerful incentive to breed, own, and race Maryland-bred horses. In addition to strengthening the state’s breeding industry, the program helps create long-term value for owners by rewarding success both in Maryland and through special out-of-state incentive opportunities during designated periods of the racing calendar. This program serves as a compliment to the Maryland Racing Commission's Maryland-Bred Breeders Bonus program that is administered by the Maryland Horse Breeders' Association.
Under the MTHA's program, registered Maryland-breds that finish first, second, or third in open overnight races receive bonus payments that are divided equally between the Owner and the Developer.
For purposes of the program, a Developer is defined as the owner of the horse at the time of its first career start. Once established, the Developer designation remains with the horse throughout its racing career, regardless of subsequent ownership changes.
maryland racing bonuses
At Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course, and Timonium Race Course, registered Maryland-breds are eligible to earn:
15% Owner Bonus and 15% Developer Bonus
for finishing first, second, or third in eligible open overnight races.
These bonuses are paid in addition to purse earnings and represent a significant financial advantage for Maryland-bred horses competing in the state.
15% Owner Bonus and 15% Developer Bonus
for finishing first, second, or third in eligible open overnight races.
These bonuses are paid in addition to purse earnings and represent a significant financial advantage for Maryland-bred horses competing in the state.
SUMMER BONUS PROGRAM
During Maryland’s annual summer racing hiatus, the MTHA and The Maryland Jockey Club also offer a special Maryland-Bred Owner & Developer Bonus Program for horses competing at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park.
The program utilizes a points-based system and has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to the connections of Maryland-bred horses racing outside the state while Maryland racing is temporarily dark.
In 2026, the Owner & Developer bonus pool was increased to $700,000, reflecting the continued success and popularity of the initiative.
The Maryland-Bred Owner & Developer Bonus Program is a cornerstone of Maryland racing’s incentive structure, rewarding investment in Maryland-bred horses while helping owners and developers realize greater returns throughout their horses’ careers.
The program utilizes a points-based system and has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to the connections of Maryland-bred horses racing outside the state while Maryland racing is temporarily dark.
In 2026, the Owner & Developer bonus pool was increased to $700,000, reflecting the continued success and popularity of the initiative.
The Maryland-Bred Owner & Developer Bonus Program is a cornerstone of Maryland racing’s incentive structure, rewarding investment in Maryland-bred horses while helping owners and developers realize greater returns throughout their horses’ careers.
