LTBA Member Update
Dear LTBA Members,
As we prepare for the 2026 Louisiana Yearling Sale, I want to thank each of you for your continued investment in Louisiana's Thoroughbred industry. Through the dedication of our breeders, owners, trainers, and industry partners, Louisiana racing continues to move in a positive direction.
This year's Louisiana Yearling Sale will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the Louisiana Equine Sales and Event Center in Opelousas. We are pleased to announce that, for the first time, both Louisiana Downs and Evangeline Downs have agreed not to race on sale day, allowing horsemen, consignors, and buyers to focus their attention on this important event.
To help kick off sale week, Evangeline Downs will host a special race program on Monday, August 31, featuring four Louisiana-bred stakes races, followed by an evening celebration in Mojo's with live entertainment. With more than 170 yearlings expected to sell, we anticipate one of the strongest sales in recent years.
The optimism surrounding this year's sale is backed by real progress.
Working alongside the Louisiana HBPA, our elected officials, and Louisiana's four racetracks, the LTBA has helped secure meaningful improvements for our industry. Louisiana-bred purse levels continue to rise, with Maiden Special Weight purses increasing approximately 35% over the past five years. In addition, the number of Louisiana-bred stakes races has grown by 40%, creating more opportunities for our breeders and horsemen to compete for increased purses.
Louisiana has also remained one of the nation's leaders in breeder incentives. The increase in breeder awards from 20% to 25% for Louisiana-Breds sired by Louisiana stallions helped strengthen our breeding program, and in 2025, Louisiana was the only state in the country to report growth in its mares bred.
Unfortunately, the discontinuation of Historical Horse Racing (HHR) in April 2025 resulted in the loss of a significant funding source that supported breeder awards. At the same time, Louisiana-bred purses have continued to grow and are expected to increase further.
To ensure the breeder award program remains financially sound, the LTBA Board has approved the following adjustments, effective October 1, 2026:
• 22%- Louisiana-Breds by Louisiana stallions
• 18%- Louisiana-Breds by out-of-state stallions
• 10%- Non-domiciled Louisiana-Breds
• 9%- Louisiana-Breds by out-of-state stallions in consecutive years
These modest adjustments allow breeder award payments to remain sustainable while continuing to support the long-term health of our industry.
There is also very good news on the horizon.
After years of working together as an industry, legislation passed in 2025 established a new source of funding through Video Poker. Beginning October 1, 2026, the LTBA will
receive 7.5% of these new funds, and 100% of that allocation will be paid directly back to breeders through breeder awards.
In its first year alone, this legislation is expected to generate more than $5.4 million in additional Louisiana Thoroughbred purses and approximately $405,000 in new breeder award funding, with continued growth expected in future years.
While the breeder award percentages are being adjusted today, this new funding source positions Louisiana's breeding industry for long-term success. Our goal remains the same: to grow purses, strengthen breeder incentives, and continue making Louisiana one of the most competitive and rewarding states in the country to breed and race Thoroughbreds.
I believe our industry has tremendous momentum, and I look forward to seeing that enthusiasm reflected at the September 1 Yearling Sale.
Thank you for your continued support of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. I look forward to seeing you in Opelousas.
Sincerely,
Keith J. Hernandez
President
Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association