Florida-Bred Thoroughbreds are a Major Agricultural Export
BY STEVE KOCH
OCALA, FL—In the debut month of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association’s groundbreaking Florida-bred Export Incentives program, 11 Florida-bred winners at out-of-state racetracks earned export incentives for their breeders as part of the $1 million initiative in 2026.
January’s earners stretched across seven racetracks in six states—from Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, and Fair Grounds in Louisiana, to Santa Anita in California—underscoring the national footprint of the Florida-bred product. With January traditionally the year’s slowest month for Florida-bred results, FTBOA anticipates awards will surge into the spring and summer peak seasons.
The month’s top individual award went to Vanessa Rosas, daughter of the late Saul Rosas, breeder of Queen Maxima, a 5-year-old mare by Bucchero out of Corfu Lady and winner of the Grade 3 Las Cienegas Stakes at Santa Anita on January 11, earning a $5,000 export incentive.
The John Oxley Living Trust earned a $4,000 export incentive when Strategic Risk, a 3-year-old colt by Noble Bird out of Strategize, won the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park on January 3.
Breeder Courtney L. Meagher also earned $4,000 when Taken by the Wind, a 3-year-old filly by Rock Your World out of Up for Grabs, won the $145,500 Fasig-Tipton Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds on January 17.
Two Florida-breds broke their maidens at Santa Anita, each earning $3,000 for their breeders. Running With Chaos, a 4-year-old gelding by Ocala Stud’s leading Florida sire Khozan out of House Money, bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds, graduated on January 18. A week later, Army Man, a 3-year-old gelding by Battalion Runner out of You’re the Best, bred by Lance Colwell, followed suit on January 25.
Five of January’s 11 export incentive earners are Florida-sired.
The FTBOA Export Incentives program offers $7,500 per Grade 1 win, $5,000 per Grade 2 or 3 win, 15% of earnings (up to $4,000) per non-graded stakes win, and 15% of earnings (up to $3,000) per maiden special weight and allowance win at North American racetracks in 2026.
Combined with stallion and breeder awards, the new export incentives, and substantial in-state owner incentives, FTBOA anticipates that Florida-bred incentives in 2026 will total more than $27 million—maintaining a bankroll as large or larger than any state-bred program outside of Kentucky.
For complete program details, visit FTBOA.com.
Return to the February 13 issue of Wire to Wire
