Arcadia, Calif. – Post Time Self Insurance Group (PTSIG) has advised that there will be a 10 percent increase in the Thoroughbred horse industry’s workers’ compensation program covering backstretch workers and jockeys at the start of 2026. The workers’ compensation program is operated by PTSIG and most of the program funding is derived from per-stall charges to trainers and per-start fees to owners.

The owners’ per-start fee at Santa Anita, Los Alamitos, and Del Mar will be increased from $158 to $174 for calendar year 2026. The fee will continue to be automatically deducted from the owner’s paymaster account when a horse competes in a race in California. Owners have the right to opt out of the Post Time Self Insurance program, provided they secure workers’ compensation coverage to comply with the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) requirement.

The base rate for the per-stall fee at Santa Anita, Los Alamitos, Del Mar, and San Luis Rey Downs will be increased from $5.00 to $5.50 per day for calendar year 2026. Over the past three years, workers’ compensation rates have held steady beginning with a 10 percent decline in 2023. The table below provides the history.

Guaranteed participation purse money is provided to serve as an offset to these costs for owners of horses that do not finish first through fifth and are not included in the official purse distribution. The guaranteed participation purse money is designed to help owners cover core costs such as the mandatory vet exam fee required by the CHRB as well as workers’ compensation insurance. Guaranteed participation purse money will continue to be paid at a rate of $500 in Southern California for horses which finish sixth or worse.

Recent History (2021-2026) Southern California Rates

Year	Owner Per Start	Trainer Base Rate Per-Stall	Guaranteed Participation S. California Purse Money
2026	$174	$5.50	$500
2025	$158	$5.00	$500
2024	$158	$5.00	$500
2023	$146	$4.60	$500
2022	$162	$5.10	$500
2021	$162	$5.10	$500