There is hereby created in the state treasury the Ohio quarter horse development fund, to consist of all moneys paid into the fund at Ohio quarter horse meets. The purpose of the fund is to advance and improve the breeding of racing quarter horses in Ohio. Moneys to the credit of the fund shall be distributed on order of the state racing commission with the approval of the Ohio quarter horse development commission. The development commission shall consist of three members, to be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate. One member shall be a quarter horse breeder and one a quarter horse owner. Of the initial appointments, one member shall be appointed for a term ending June 30, 1977, and two members shall be appointed for terms ending June 30, 1979. Thereafter appointments for other than unexpired terms shall be for four years. Terms shall begin the first day of July and end the thirtieth day of June. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of such term. Any member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until a successor takes office. Members shall receive no compensation, except they shall be paid actual and necessary expenses from the Ohio quarter horse development fund. The state racing commission shall also be reimbursed for actual expense approved by the development commission. The development commission may elect one member to serve as secretary. After a general meeting advertised at least one month in advance, the development commission shall allocate and approve all available moneys to one or more stake races and, at the development commission's discretion, to one or more overnight races. The eligibility for entry into such stake or overnight races shall be restricted to the following horses:

1. (A) An Ohio-sired horse, which means a colt or filly registered with the American quarter horse association that has been sired by a quarter horse or thoroughbred stallion that stands for breeding purposes only in this state in the year that the colt or filly was conceived and is registered according to the rules of the state racing commission;
2. (B) An Ohio-foaled horse, which means a filly or colt with a certificate of registration from the American quarter horse association that the colt or filly was foaled in this state. A copy of the registration papers shall accompany any nomination for entry in a race.
3. (C) An Ohio-owned horse, which means a colt or filly wholly owned by a resident of this state, according to the rules of the state racing commission, both at the time of nomination and at the time of the race. The development commission may combine any or all of the above classes in one race, but in an overnight race to which money is allocated, preference shall be given to the highest preferred class in the order listed in this section. The development commission may allocate a sum not to exceed ten per cent of the total Ohio quarter horse development fund to research projects directed toward improving the breeding, raising, and racing of horses in the state and toward education or promotion of the industry.

Last updated May 6, 2024 at 3:47 PM