There seem to be several question over APG, an additional one is the emphasis on 2yo series and whether the winners share of the purse is too high given the costs incurred by the majority to retain eligibility.
As for first win bonus being for first race or made easier to win is that really being reinvested in breeding horses or is that an assumption? Or does that just see a more rapid reduction in the existing racing population once they have got, in many instances their one big pay day. Perhaps the bonus is best spread out over a permanent reduction in foal fees, a first start bonus, followed by either a first win bonus and or a minimum number of starts achieved bonus.
Horses exiting racing need to be tracked better as to why, injury, handicapping, lack of local racing opportunities, not worth racing after bonus won, etc. Probably should be better tracking of horses entering the HERO program, does “too slow” mean too slow altogether or too slow to pay training fees for, but suited to owner/trainer/driver with lower expectations for them?
Not a commercial breeder but the first win bonus should go entirely to the breeder, they actually are most likely to do with it what is needed, breed more horses because that’s what breeders do, and not solely for a monetary gain but because that is what many enjoy doing, money is what makes it possible to do. Those owners you talk of who buy rarely see the real cost to a breeder of producing the yearling they have bought, the mare missed or slipped seasons, the foal died or was injured and unraceable before the sales or the mare dies and has to be replaced, and are often buying at less then cost to produce that foal, never mind cover the additional costs/losses of the breeder.
With many breeders racing their own they are getting the full bonus, trainer driver share as well if they do it all themselves. Owners who buy if they are so concerned at missing out on the bonus can revise down what they are prepared to pay at the sales for a yearling, I don’t see every yearling reducing by $7000 at the sales because a buyer won’t get the first win bonus.
Changes to the handicapping system have been in place already, and hopefully will be improved markedly soon, which extend a horses career and increase its ability to earn by dropping back into easier company should provide sufficient compensation to buyers missing out on the bonus and breeders will rarely see any of a horses additional money from stakes from the revised handicapping