Welcome To ATBHA

A Brief History of the ATBHA

Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders' & Horsemen's Association (ATBHA) was founded in April 1961. ATBHA is the official breed registry for all Registered Arkansas-bred Thoroughbreds. The registrations of the Registered Arkansas-bred Thoroughbreds are made by the association’s members to the ATBHA office. The purpose of these registrations is to qualify Registered Arkansas-bred Thoroughbreds for eligibility to run in restricted Arkansas-bred races and to qualify the owners and breeders of Registered Arkansas-bred Thoroughbreds for participation in the Owner, Breeder and/or Stallion Owner Awards program.

ATBHA works with the Arkansas Racing Commission to maintain the Rules & Regulations of the association and the Arkansas-bred program, which includes distribution of the Purse and Awards Funds of the Arkansas-bred program to owners, stallion owners and breeders of properly registered Arkansas-bred Thoroughbreds. Owners awards are paid annually to the owner of each Arkansas-bred thoroughbred properly registered with ATBHA on earnings at the Oaklawn Park live meet the previous calendar year. Breeders Awards are paid annually to the breeder of each Arkansas-bred thoroughbred horse properly registered with ATBHA on earnings in the U.S. and Canada the previous calendar year. Stallion awards are paid annually to the owner of each stallion properly registered with ATBHA on earnings in the U.S. and Canada the previous calendar year. The purpose of this activity is to recognize, honor and award Owners, Breeders and Stallion Owners of Registered Arkansas-breds for their efforts and participation in the Arkansas-bred Thoroughbred program.

ATBHA publishes and distributes a newsletter "The ATBHA News" quarterly to each member. The purpose of this newsletter is to promote the Registered Arkansas-bred Thoroughbred Program and to keep our members informed of the association's activities, sponsorships, deadlines, and other information related to the Arkansas-bred Thoroughbred program.

ATBHA sponsors four in-state races, the Rainbow Stakes, Rainbow Miss Stakes, Nodouble Breeders Stakes and Natural State Breeders Stakes, for Registered Arkansas-breds. These Four races are run at Oaklawn Park in March of each year.  The Rainbow Stakes is restricted to Registered Arkansas-bred three year old colts and geldings. The Rainbow Miss Stakes is restricted to Registered Arkansas-bred three year old fillies. The Nodouble Breeders Stakes is restricted to Registered Arkansas-bred colts and geldings four-year-olds and up. The Natural State Breeders Stakes is restricted to Registered Arkansas-bred fillies four-year-olds and up. ATBHA pays $25,000 of the $50,000 guaranteed purse for each race. The funds paid by ATBHA for these races come from nomination fees paid by the nominating horse owners, the entry and starting fees, and the Arkansas Racing Commission Purse and Awards Fund. The Purse and Awards Fund makes up the difference between the association’s obligated contribution and the nomination, entry & starting fees received. The purpose of this sponsorship is to promote the Registered Arkansas-bred Thoroughbred program.

ATBHA sponsors two out-of-state races, the Razorback and Lady Razorback Futurities, for Registered Arkansas-breds. These two races are run at Louisiana Downs in late October or early November of each year. The Razorback Futurity is restricted to Registered Arkansas-bred two-year old colts and geldings. The Lady Razorback Futurity is restricted to Registered Arkansas-bred two-year-old fillies. ATBHA pays $37,500 of the $50,000 guaranteed purse for each race. The funds paid by ATBHA for these two races come from nomination fees paid by the nominating horse owners, the entry and starting fees, and the Arkansas Racing Commission Purse and Awards Fund. The Purse and Awards Fund makes up the difference between the association’s obligated contribution and the nomination, entry and starting fees received. The purpose of this sponsorship is to promote the Registered Arkansas-bred Thoroughbred program.

ATBHA holds an annual Membership Meeting & Awards Banquet in late March of each year announcing and honoring recipients of the Horse of the Year, Broodmare of the Year, Stallion of the Year, and Breeder of the Year awards. Additionally, all registered Arkansas-breds that won a major stakes race in the United States and/or Canada the previous year are recognized at the banquet. The purpose of this function is to recognize achievements by members in promoting and encouraging continued participation in the Registered Arkansas-bred Thoroughbred program.

ATBHA holds an annual meeting of the general membership in conjunction with the annual Awards Banquet. Election of officers and directors is held every other year, in odd years. The purpose of this meeting is to achieve the organization's continuity and structure.

Copyright © 1985-2012  Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders' & Horsemen's Association