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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.
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.
md-bred Bonuses on maryland overnight races
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.
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.
15% Owner Bonus and 15% Developer Bonus
for finishing first, second, or third in eligible open overnight races.
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.
out-of-state md-bred 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.
2026 bonus program rulesThe 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.
