The Maryland-Bred Race Fund program is administered by the Maryland Racing Commission with the assistance and advice of the Maryland Fund Advisory Committee. Under the direction of the commission, the actual implementation of the fund, including maintaining the Maryland-bred registry and computing and distributing all bonus awards, is performed by the MHBA.

Breeder and stallion award percentages are determined on a bi-annual basis by the Maryland Racing Commission. Owner and developer award percentages are determined by a separate agreement with the Horsemen's Purse Account. For races in Maryland only. The following percentages are as of Jan. 1, 2026.

BREEDER BONUSES

33.6% Breeder bonus on earned purses for 1st, 2nd, 3rd on all overnight races  for registered MARYLAND-SIRED Maryland-breds (foals of 2023 and onward). Stallion must be registered annually with MHBA. PAYOUT CHART, click here.

24% Breeder bonus on earned purses for 1st, 2nd, 3rd on all overnight races for registered Maryland-breds. (Maryland Million Day bonuses calculated separately). PAYOUT CHART, click here.

24% Breeder bonus on earned purses for 1st, 2nd, 3rd on all stakes races (capped at $100,000) for registered Maryland-breds. (Maryland Million Day bonuses calculated separately). PAYOUT CHART, click here.

8% ADDITIONAL breeder bonus for registered Maryland-sired Maryland-bred maiden winners (foals of 2022 or older) on earned purse. Stallion must be registered annually with MHBA.

8% Stallion Bonus on earned purses for 1st, 2nd, 3rd on all overnight and stakes races (capped at $100,000) for registered Maryland-breds. Stallion must be registered annually with MHBA.  Maryland Million Day bonuses calculated separately.

As of 1/1/2026. Percentages will be evaluated and determined every six month period by the Maryland Racing Commission

For Foal or Stallion Registration questions, please contact us at 410-252-2100, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Stallion must be registered annually with MHBA  

OWNER/DEVELOPER BONUSES
FUNDED BY THE MARYLAND THOROUGHBRED PURSE ACCOUNT AND ADMINISTERED BY THE MARYLAND THOROUGHBRED HORSEMEN'S ASSOC.

15% Owner bonus on share of purse for all open overnight races for registered Maryland-bred horses finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd. Paid as part of the purse, included in typical owner earnings and are reflected in horse's Equibase earnings

15% Developer bonus on share of purse for all open overnight races for registered Maryland-bred horses finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd. Developer is the owner of the horse in its first career start. Bonuses will continue to be paid to the Developer throughout the horse's racing career, regardless of how many times ownership changes, unless the horse changed hands prior to the start of the program on January 22, 2021. Developer bonuses are NOT paid as part of the purse, therefore not reflected in horses's Equibase earnings. 

PAYOUT CHART for Owner/Developer Bonuses, click here  

 

THE OUT-OF-STATE BONUS PROGRAM
 IS BACK FOR SUMMER 2026

Maryland-Breds earn bonuses running in Virginia & Delaware
when Maryland is dark this summer: JULY 3--AUGUST 23

A bonus program rewarding the connections of Maryland-bred horses with payments awarded on a points-based system tied to race conditions and Maryland purse equivalents at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park. Paid out for races run in Virginia and Delaware during Maryland's live racing hiatus, running from July 3, 2026 through August 23, 2026, aligning with the Laurel Park summer break.

$750,000 Bonus Pool for Breeder & Stallion Awards
UP FROM $600,000 IN 2025 & now with a new tier for Stakes
BREEDER & STALLION BONUSES: For registered Maryland-bred horses finishing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in all races at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park. A $750,000 bonus pool will be divided by the total number of points earned across all races. Each horse's bonus will be calculated based on its total points and will be distributed as Breeder and Stallion* bonuses. Paid from the Maryland Bred Race Fund Account. *Stallions must be registered with the MHBA to be eligible for Stallion bonuses.

$700,000 Bonus Pool for Owner/Developer Awards
UP FROM $600,000 IN 2025
Developer & Owner Bonuses: For registered Maryland-bred horses finishing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in non-restricted overnight races (excluding stakes, certified, or state-bred restricted races) at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park. A $700,000 bonus pool will be divided by the total number of points earned across all eligible races. Each horse's bonus will be calculated based on its total points and will be equally distributed between the Owner(s) and Developer(s). The Developer is defined as the owner at the horse's first career start. Paid from the MD Thoroughbred Purse Account.

2026 Point Chart System for Maryland-bred Horses

Steeplechase Owner and Breeder Bonuses for 2026

On purses earned for finishing 1st - 2nd - 3rd at all sanctioned Maryland Steeplechase meets.
Paid bonuses will be equal to current Maryland Bred Race Fund bonus percentages.

STEEPLECHASE & FLAT RACES**
GRAND NATIONAL
MARYLAND HUNT CUP
MY LADY'S MANOR
SHAWAN DOWNS

*REGISTERED MARYLAND-BREDS ONLY
**TRAINING FLAT RACES NOT INCLUDED
PAID BY MARYLAND HORSE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION