Breeding is a vital part of the equestrian industry. The whole business model of the industry is based on the breeding process. The type of breeding taking place and the number of foals born determines the status of the industry. If the number of foals born increases, it means that there is a demand in the market and if it’s vice-versa, then that leads to a detrimental effect on the business.
In the United States, the data on the foals’ crop is maintained by the Jockey Club. It releases its prediction based on the foal crop based on the data of mare bred submitted by the farm owners. This year the prediction of the equestrian body raised many eyebrows and is subject to discussion among industry experts.
Equestrian body predicts a fall in foal crop in 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
According to paulickreport, the Jockey Club has predicted that the North American registered thoroughbred foal crop for the year 2024 will be 18,000. This means it will be less than the previous year’s foal prediction by 500 foals. This decline is a matter of concern for the industry. The prediction was based on the reports of mare bred filed by the owners in the 2023 season by the 1st of August. After 2016, this trend is on a continuous decline. As per the Jockey Club stats, there was a drop in foal crop in 2023 from 2022, which had a figure of 18,700, a drop of 200 foals.
The last time the foal crop increased over the past year was in 2015. It was a 0.2 percent appreciation which stood at 23,047 in 2015 as compared to 23,001 in 2014. The last time the foal crop in the North American Thoroughbred industry was around 18,000 was in the year 1964. According to Blood-Horse, the foal crop in the country has contributed 93% on average by the North American Thoroughbred industry since 2019. One of the major reasons for the yearly decline is the decline in races across the country.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Drop in races a contributing factor?
The decline in the foal crop can be attributed to many reasons, like the high cost of breeding, problems in breeding, and a decline in demand for horses. Another major contributor to the issue is the decline in the number of races held across the country. Between 2010 and 2022 there has been a decrease of races by 28% and also a decrease in starters by 34%. Though the purse value increased, the quantity of the races declined over the years, which eventually affected the breeding industry.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The decline of foal crops is a matter of concern and the reason behind the decrease and the way to overturn it needs to be addressed by industry experts.
Watch The Story: Mastering Equestrian Anxiety: Five Powerful Mindset Techniques to Overcome Fear in Horse Riding