This week’s action by the Kentucky General Assembly to ban a Jockey Club rule limiting the number of mares bred to a stallion in a given year joins an ongoing three-page lawsuit Large stallions led to the cancellation of the rule in February. 17.
The American Stud Book rule, adopted in May 2020, limited the number of mares bred to 140 horses per head in a calendar year and was created to address declining levels of diversity. reduced and related to Purebred genetic resources. Rule enforcement begins with stallions born in 2020 or later, while active stallions bred before 2020 have no restrictions.
Even with a transition period, the rule sharply divided the purebred community.
Mr. Stuart S. Janney III said: “The Jockey Club Board of Directors is canceling the regulation out of concern that the response to the rule could split the industry at a time when many important issues need to be addressed. resolved with unity. President of the Jockey Club. “We are taking this action for the greater good of the entire industry.
“The Jockey Club remains committed to the sustainability and welfare of the breed and will continue to invest in programs and research that will advance and support the industry in the years to come.”
BLOODHORSE: Jockey Club Against Mare Cap Rule
Kentucky lawmakers have been involved in the fight since February 14 through HB 496, a bill that prohibits a thoroughbred registry company from limiting the number of mares bred to stallions or refusing to register them. any pony based on the number of mares mated. The bill was also taken from the KRS Chapter 230 language requiring all Kentucky-born Thoroughbreds to register with the Jockey Club and assigning the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to “select and use an entity to serves as the registry of Thoroughbreds” which “is subject to the authority of Kentucky and shall be subject to the laws of this chapter.”
In 2021, Kentucky accounted for 16,727 mares bred in North America, just over 60% of all mares bred in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Martha Jane and John Henry Mulholland
Martha Jane said: “When we breed a mare, it’s a choice, not a need. If the only option to raise a mare is a stallion we don’t feel like we should be. reasonably likely to succeed, we simply wouldn’t breed the mare.” Mulholland, who runs Mulholland Springs with her son, John. “And if people lose money to raise mares, they won’t be willing to do it again. Mares will be taken out of the production area and their genes will disappear. We’re already starting to see an economic impact on prices. of the horse; it was here.
“This is the best possible outcome,” Mulholland said. “The Jockey Club will continue to register the horses and this will be great for small breeders and the long-term health of the breed.”
Carrie Brogden, who runs Machmer Hall with her husband, Craig, supports this rule because it creates a means to give more support to second and third year stallions and increase their chances of success.
“Some people say mares won’t be bred, but nobody pays the board, pays for hay, pays for grain, pays for grazing, etc and doesn’t breed,” Brogden said. their mares,” Brogden said. “What has changed is the fact that all the first year stallions suck a lot of mares in their books and no one is there in the second year to help develop these stallions. The first year breed might hit the mark, but then nothing happens. in the back and the horses die on the vine or get sold.”
With the regulation now gone, Brogden said she feels steed caps create the same unwarranted fear as earlier attempts to ban race-day furosemide.
“Everybody was so scared and then we had our 2-year-olds run and sort the horses without Lasix and all of a sudden, nothing happened. With the hat, it would go back to the way it was when I moved. went to Kentucky in 2001. Mares was flipping books all the time,” she said. “So now (with the rule repealed) nothing has changed about how we operate. We have mares to breed, but it’s a good idea. I feel really strong. a lot stronger on the drug problem and the industry focusing on that is more important than limiting.”
Removing this rule also means that the target of a lawsuit filed last February by Spendthrift Farm, Ashford Stud (under the name Bemak NV), and Three Chimneys Farm is now being contested. The farms that challenged the rule were “authoritarian” and “anti-competitive”. Their complaint also argued that the rule would promote offshore the best horse prospects in North America.
Eric Gustavson, owner of Spendthrift said: “First and foremost, we respect all sides on both sides of the mare limitation issue. “We appreciate that the Kentucky legislature has taken things as we see them, and we are pleased with The Jockey’s Club’s decision to deregulate.
“We welcome the Jockey Club’s call for unity to help make the industry a better one for everyone involved,” he continued. “Finally, we’re very grateful for all the support we’ve received, and we’re happy to continue.”
Goncalo Torrealba
Gonçalo Torrealba, president of Three Chimneys, also said he appreciated The Jockey Club’s decision in the name of industry unity.
Torrealba said: “Three Chimneys welcomes the Jockey Club’s decision regarding the proposed mare limit rule.
Ashford Stud also released a statement praising Osborne and Koch’s efforts.
“The Jockey Club has listened to the concerns expressed and we endorse their call for the industry to unite for the common goal of developing and promoting Thoroughbred breeding and racing in Kentucky.” and across the United States We should work together to ensure the sustainability and wellbeing of Ashford said in his statement.
“It is clear that this legislation has received strong support from state legislators, who recognize that the limitation threatens to affect the livelihoods of many people who work in the industry and will harm activities for which Kentucky is internationally known and respected.
“We commend Speaker Osborne and Representative Koch for taking the lead on this, which will help keep Kentucky relevant in the international bloodline market. From our experience in Ireland, we know that. the importance of cultivating an outstanding breeding volume matters, a position that Kentucky has long held and may now maintain into the future.
“It can’t be for Kentucky’s sake to race for the progeny of great males like Spendthrift’s Into Mischief or Three Chimneys’ Gunman artificially restricted. For example, the quality and attractiveness of an auction house like Keeneland would be compromised if, for example, the cap reduced the number of annus from a stallion of the caliber of Into Mischief each year in Kentucky that sold more than one year. 70 children.
“We commend the International Stud Book Committee for the work it continues to do to create harmonized global livestock rules. We also want to thank the many scientists and genetic experts who have worked with us. insights have told us that this hat will not contribute in any meaningful way to promoting genetic diversity.”
