NEWS
Report of Mares Bred documents decline in breeding
Posted: Thursday, October 18, 2007 11:14 AM
by Frank Angst
With decreased numbers in key states Florida, California, New York, and Texas, Thoroughbred breeding in North America declined in 2007 according to the Jockey Club’s Report of Mares Bred.
While the reported number of mares bred in Kentucky in 2007 increased 2.6% to 21,724, the improved numbers in the top state for Thoroughbred breeding could not offset drops in other states. Florida, the second-leading state, dropped 9.1% to 6,376. Third-leading state California was off 5.3% to 4,447, and fifth-ranked New York fell 8.7% to 1,967.
Despite the decreased number of reported mares bred in New York, the Empire State still moved one spot ahead of Texas, which slipped to sixth in the state rankings of mares bred. Texas breeding numbers were off 15.7% this year, down to 1,935.
According to reports received through October 11, the Jockey Club lists 2,808 stallions covered 56,796 mares in North America during ‘07. The statistics include the number of mares bred to each stallion and represent approximately 90% of mares bred in ‘07.
Based on historical trends, the Jockey Club expects to receive an additional 800 to 1,000 reports from the ‘07 breeding season. (For consistency, the comparison numbers in this story use figures reported at this time last year, unless otherwise noted).
The number of stallions in service fell 8% to 2,808 while the number of mares bred declined 4.4% to 56,796. The stallion numbers fell below 3,000 for the first time this century and are well below the 4,302 stallions reported as the final numbers for 2000.
“The number of stallions has persistently declined over the last two decades but the percentage decline to date for 2007 is larger than in recent years,” said Matt Iuliano, the Jockey Club’s vice president of registration services.
In North America this year, 125 stallions bred at least 100 mares, one fewer than covered that amount in 2006 and three less than the record 128 stallions to do so in ‘05. Of those 125 stallions, 102 stood in Kentucky, which in ‘06 was home to 94 stallions who covered at least 100 mares.
Other states and provinces in which stallions covered 100 or more mares were Florida (12 stallions), California (3), Maryland (3), New York (2), Arkansas (1), Louisiana (1) and Ontario (1).
Stormy Atlantic, who stood last season for $30,000 at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms in Lexington, led all stallions in ‘07 with 199 mares bred, four more than Johannesburg (195). Rounding out the top five were Wildcat Heir (177), With Distinction (177), and Giant’s Causeway (176).
Thoroughbred breeding activity in Kentucky traditionally paces North America. During ‘07, Kentucky’s 333 stallions covered 21,724 mares, or 38.2% of all of the mares reported bred in North America. Rounding out the top ten states and provinces by mares bred are Florida, California, Louisiana, at 3,780, New York, Texas, New Mexico, at 1,775, Maryland, 1,384, Oklahoma, 1,381, and Ontario, 1,257.
The Jockey Club encourages breeders to turn in any additional reports of mares bred.
“We encourage those who haven’t already done so to submit their RMBs as soon as possible to not only avoid delays in receiving their Service Certificates but to provide us with a good statistical base for assessing the 2008 foal crop,” Iuliano said.
The Jockey Club reports that data is generally accurate but occasionally errors occur because of incorrect data received from others, mistakes in processing, and other causes. The Jockey Club disclaims responsibility for the consequences, if any, of such errors, but would appreciate them being called to its attention.
Statistical data can be viewed by clicking the links below.
Stallions by state and province
Leading stallions by mares bred
Stallions and mares bred by state and province
Frank Angst is senior staff writer of Thoroughbred Times
