from the Ontario Racing Commission

Toronto, ON — The Ontario Sires Stakes Program is on track to provide an exciting season of racing. Developed by the Standardbred Advisory Group and approved by the Ontario Racing Commission, the 2014 OSS program will offer more than C$16.6 million in purses and just over C$2.1 million in Ontario Bred and Ontario Sired Rewards.

“We felt it was important to maintain consistency and continuity within the Program,” said Paula Wellwood of the Standardbred Advisory Group, “however, there were some elements that we wanted to improve on this year and I think we’ve accomplished that.”

Program changes for 2014 include setting all Grassroots division purses at C$18,000, reinstating the Grassroots Semi-Finals and raising Gold Super Final purses to C$250,000.

“The Program’s administrative staff has put a great deal of effort into working the numbers to ensure a program that is viable and reflects the new goals of the five-year Horse Racing Partnership Program. This plan works and works well.”

For more information on Ontario’s Horse Improvement Programs, visit the Program pages at www.ontarioracingcommission.ca or contact the Program Administrator at 416.213.0520.

The Ontario Sires Stakes Program was established in 1974, with the objective of encouraging the breeding of quality Standardbred horses and providing an economic incentive for breeders, owners and trainers to breed, buy and race in Ontario. This year marks the 40th year of the OSS, which over the years became the gold standard of sires stakes programs in North America. For more information on the OSS program, go to www.ontariosiresstakes.com.