Kentucky Quarter Horse
Racing Association

The Kentucky Quarter Horse Racing Association (KyQHRA) represents men and women throughout
Kentucky and works closely with track partners to grow competitive opportunities, promote Kentucky-bred
horses, and strengthen the future of the sport. We are dedicated to expanding racing access, supporting breeders,
and helping riders and owners take advantage of Kentucky’s strong incentive programs.

Kentucky Quarter Horse
Racing Association

The Kentucky Quarter Horse Racing Association (KyQHRA) represents men and women throughout Kentucky and works closely with track partners to grow competitive opportunities, promote Kentucky-bred horses, and strengthen the future of the sport. We are dedicated to expanding racing access, supporting breeders, and helping riders and owners take advantage of Kentucky’s strong incentive programs.

Sandy Ridge Racetrack

The new Sandy Ridge Quarter Horse Racetrack in Boyd County is currently under construction and will be Kentucky’s only racetrack dedicated exclusively to Quarter Horse racing.

Scheduled 2026 Race Dates
  • August 19-21, 26- 28
  • September 4-5
  • ~$250,000 in daily purses
  • ~$3 million total purse commitment planned

This state-of-the-art facility is expected to significantly expand racing opportunities and economic impact within the region.

Sandy Ridge Racetrack

The new Sandy Ridge Quarter Horse Racetrack in Boyd County is currently under construction and will be Kentucky’s only racetrack dedicated exclusively to Quarter Horse racing.

Scheduled 2026 Race Dates
  • August 19-21, 26- 28
  • September 4-5
  • ~$250,000 in daily purses
  • ~$3 million total purse commitment planned

This state-of-the-art facility is expected to significantly expand racing opportunities and economic impact within the region.

Kentucky Quarter Horse Development Fund

The Kentucky Quarter Horse Development Fund provides purse support, breeder incentives, and registration programs that help grow the Quarter Horse racing industry in Kentucky.

Administered by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, the fund is supported through pari-mutuel tax revenue and rewards breeders, owners, and participants who invest in Kentucky-bred horses.

Follow the link below to download forms: Nomination Form, Mare Nomination Form, Stallion Nomination Form

  • Purses for KYQHRA–affiliated racemeets
  • Breeder incentive awards
  • Mare, stallion, and foal registration programs
  • Promotion of Kentucky-bred racing opportunities

  • $5,000 to qualified breeders of winning Kentucky-breds in AQHA G1–G3, non-graded stakes, allowance, and maiden races (minimum purse $15,000)
  • $10,000 awarded to the Kentucky-accredited sire whose offspring earn the most in US races each calendar year
  • $5,000 awarded to the top KY-bred 2-year-old, 3-year-old, and aged horse (based on Equibase-reported earnings)

KyQHRA will award $10,000 to the Kentucky-accredited sire whose offspring earn the most in U.S. races
(January 1 – December 31, per Equibase).

Best of the Best
The top Kentucky-bred 2-year-old, 3-year-old, and aged horse will each earn a $5,000 award, based on annual U.S. race earnings
(January 1 – December 31, per Equibase).

Breeder Incentive
Breeders of Kentucky-bred horses that win:

  • AQHA Grade I, II, or III Stakes
  • AQHA-recognized Non-Graded Stakes
  • Allowance or Maiden races (minimum purse $15,000)

…will receive $5,000 awards.
Claiming races are excluded.

For more information email kyqhtafund@gmail.com.

A horse must be:

  • Registered with AQHA and KYQHRA
  • Out of a mare and stallion properly registered with the fund
  • Foaled in Kentucky and in compliance with residency and breeding rules

  • Must be registered with KYQHRA by December 31 of the conception year
  • Must reside in Kentucky for at least 180 days
  • Must be bred and foal in Kentucky
  • Late registration accepted through July 1 (fees apply; waived for 2025)

  • Must register with KYQHRA by December 31 prior to the breeding year
  • AI permitted; stallions do not need to stand in Kentucky
  • Late registration allowed through July 1

Kentucky Quarter Horse Development Fund

The Kentucky Quarter Horse Development Fund provides purse support, breeder incentives, and registration programs that help grow the Quarter Horse racing industry in Kentucky.

Administered by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, the fund is supported through pari-mutuel tax revenue and rewards breeders, owners, and participants who invest in Kentucky-bred horses.

Follow the link below to download forms: Nomination Form, Mare Nomination Form, Stallion Nomination Form

  • Purses for KYQHRA–affiliated racemeets
  • Breeder incentive awards
  • Mare, stallion, and foal registration programs
  • Promotion of Kentucky-bred racing opportunities

  • $5,000 to qualified breeders of winning Kentucky-breds in AQHA G1–G3, non-graded stakes, allowance, and maiden races (minimum purse $15,000)
  • $10,000 awarded to the Kentucky-accredited sire whose offspring earn the most in US races each calendar year
  • $5,000 awarded to the top KY-bred 2-year-old, 3-year-old, and aged horse (based on Equibase-reported earnings)

KyQHRA will award $10,000 to the Kentucky-accredited sire whose offspring earn the most in U.S. races
(January 1 – December 31, per Equibase).

Best of the Best
The top Kentucky-bred 2-year-old, 3-year-old, and aged horse will each earn a $5,000 award, based on annual U.S. race earnings
(January 1 – December 31, per Equibase).

Breeder Incentive
Breeders of Kentucky-bred horses that win:

  • AQHA Grade I, II, or III Stakes
  • AQHA-recognized Non-Graded Stakes
  • Allowance or Maiden races (minimum purse $15,000)

…will receive $5,000 awards.
Claiming races are excluded.

For more information email kyqhtafund@gmail.com.

A horse must be:

  • Registered with AQHA and KYQHRA
  • Out of a mare and stallion properly registered with the fund
  • Foaled in Kentucky and in compliance with residency and breeding rules

  • Must be registered with KYQHRA by December 31 of the conception year
  • Must reside in Kentucky for at least 180 days
  • Must be bred and foal in Kentucky
  • Late registration accepted through July 1 (fees apply; waived for 2025)

  • Must register with KYQHRA by December 31 prior to the breeding year
  • AI permitted; stallions do not need to stand in Kentucky
  • Late registration allowed through July 1

Contact Us

Have questions about membership, registration, racing opportunities,
or Kentucky-bred eligibility? Use the form below to send us a message.
A KyQHRA representative will respond as soon as possible.

Have questions about membership, registration, racing opportunities, or Kentucky-bred eligibility? Use the form below to send us a message.
A KyQHRA representative will respond as soon as possible.