The Jockey Club Reports Lowest U.S. Thoroughbred Foal Registrations Since 1953 in 2023
The Jockey Club announced that the number of Thoroughbred foal registrations in the United States for 2023 has declined to 14,787, the lowest total since 1953. This represents a significant decline of 14% compared to 17,206 registrations recorded in 2022, and it is 31% below the pre-pandemic figure reported in 2019. The trend continues a prolonged decrease in foal registrations over the past decade, raising concerns over the sustainability of the U.S. Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. The Jockey Club noted that these statistics highlight ongoing challenges facing breeders and the broader racing ecosystem as it seeks to adapt to changing market conditions across North America. These data points provide critical insight into the health of the industry’s future racing stock and underscore the need for strategic initiatives aimed at revitalizing Thoroughbred breeding.