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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
It's the trendline industry eggheads are tracking with dread: a foal crop that has dropped nearly 60% from 1990, with wave-sized ripple effects. The number of races in the country has fallen a comparable amount over the same period. Some estimates have put the number of shuttered racetracks at about 50 since 2000. Nor is the U.S. alone. Over in the United Kingdom, modeling by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association projects the foal crop to fall by around 25% between just 2022 and 2026. A one-quarter drop in four years. Hardly the stuff of sweet dreams. Against a status quo that doesn't appear to be working, the time is ripe, it seems, for some outside-the-box thinking. What ideas, therefore, does the industry have on how to stem (or even reverse) these seemingly terminal declines? Last week, in a letter to the TDN, The Jockey Club outlined a three-pronged approach concerning tax policy and political lobbying, expanded marketing efforts and strengthened equine welfare and integrity programs. But if you ask Steve Koch, administrative vice president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA), a good place to start would be a program incentivizing more breeders to stay in the sport as owners. “Rather than just assume we're going to produce foals for the sake of foals, you've got to have reasons for people to run them,” said Koch, about the underpinnings of what he coins a “breed-to-race” program, an idea he recently penned as an editorial in the organization's magazine. “Ownership's the first problem,” he said. “If we have people tripping over themselves to raise a horse, then we're going to quickly start producing more foals.” Breed to Race At its heart, the breed-to-race idea is founded upon the old-school breeder-owner ethos that prevailed for decades, providing something of a sure-footing for the rest of the industry. “I'm a product of Claiborne Farm. I grew up there,” said Koch. “Claiborne Farm was the classic breeder-racer. We need to make sure we have plenty of those still around.” They're still around, but they're becoming more of an anachronism, usurped by the rise of the syndicate. As for what the breed-to-race program could look like, specifics are necessarily vague right now. If other breeders' incentive programs are any guide, the greatest benefits are typically found where the rewards are focused on non-restricted races, said Jill Stowe, a professor in agricultural economics at the University of Kentucky. “So, rewarding quality,” said Stowe, citing prior research on the matter. “Those types of purses increased demand for yearlings and increased sales prices. Whereas policies for breeders tended to increase the supply of foals, which all else equal has the effect of lowering prices.” According to Koch, the fundamentals of any breed-to-race program could resemble in effect the “export incentive program” the FTBOA unveiled recently, to reward Florida-breds that win in selected conditions outside the state. “We've had breeder incentives where we are driving the supply of future racehorses by writing checks to breeders so that hopefully, they'll produce more racehorses,” said Koch. “Decades of that experience has proven it does work.” Obstacles One key facet of a breed-to-race program is deciding what kind of minimum ownership stake the breeder must maintain in the horse. Once that's decided, then comes the real headache of how to determine exactly who owns what specific stake in a horse. With no national system to monitor ownership stakes, it's up to the states to do this work, leaving what seems a major grey area across the country. In California, it doesn't appear as though any entity–not the state racing board, nor the paymaster's offices, nor the clerks of the course–accurately tracks this information. A tentative look at other states have yielded similar results. Then comes the issue of who pays for a breed-to-race program. For those cash-strapped state breeding outfits, such a program might be tough. But there are possible workarounds. Florida breeder and FTBOA board member Richard Heysek, who bred Speed Boat Beach, sees merit in a breed-to-race program that would give some of the less-fashionable but proven sires a boost. “What's happening to all these really good sires that just aren't popular even though they're proven at producing winners?” he said. “I could name two dozen of them that you could barely give away a season, even though they consistently produce runners.” Which is where a possible funding model comes in. Heysek believes some of the larger farms could re-utilize some of the profits garnered through their headline stallions to pay for a program to help spur interest in their less popular (but proven) ones. “Why not do it as a pilot? See if it makes their number go up,” said Heysek. “It would give a little shot in the arm to the breeding industry, because right now, the big guys are eating up a lot of the small guys. And we're not going to have racing if we don't have the small guys.” If such a program existed, would Heysek buy some more mares? “I would get a couple more. Yes,” he said. “I'd much rather breed to Blame than I would a $10,000 first-season sire, because if I can't sell and make any money from it, at least I know I can race it and make money that way,” he said. Economist's View Research suggests there's potential worth to Heysek's thinking about the positive impacts on the less commercial stallions, said Stowe. “The one thing that struck me was that, if there's a breed-to-race incentive program, it could potentially change the breeding decisions that the mare owners make,” said Stowe. “I wonder if breeders would make different decisions if they were planning on retaining the foals to race, instead of taking them to the sales,” said Stowe. Would a breed-to-race program pay for itself? That depends on how the funds are generated in the first place, whether the funds are designed to grow or remain stable, “and how you want to measure success,” said Stowe. “In order for the program to pay for itself, you need to have a consistent pool of funds, and hopefully an increasing pool of funds. But then, there are also indirect benefits that could potentially be used as metrics of success,” said Stowe. Powell's View To get this thing off the ground, what's needed would be concerted, ongoing discussions at all levels, said Lonny Powell, the FTBOA's CEO and executive vice president. That, “and several states that are willing to experiment and collaborate on such a thing,” Powell said. “I do think three or four jurisdictions might be able to provide a testing ground, give the leg up on such a thing. The way our industry works, everybody else follows.” That's why “we'd be willing to sit down brainstorm this with our executive peers,” said Powell. “I know everybody's busy, got lots going on. But I think we could all relate to the importance of the conversation.” The post “Breed To Race”: A Way To Stem Foal-Crop Declines? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Rathasker Stud has outlined its hopes for breeders spying an opportunity with Bungle Inthejungle, Coulsty and Gregorian after releasing its fees for 2026. Bungle Inthejungle will lead the roster on €7,500 while Coulsty will stand for €5,500 and Gregorian at €4,500. A statement released by the stud on Monday read, “Bungle Inthejungle had another good year on the track siring seven new Stakes performers. Super speedy two-year-old Revival Power bolted up in the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes having trainer Tim Easterby dreaming of winning the 2026 Nunthorpe as he did with Revival Power's full sister Winter Power. JM Jungle took the leap from top-class handicapper to Group 2 winner when making all to win the King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, delighting John and Sean Quinn and their owners. Jungle Peace progressed from a maiden winner to a Group 3 winner in California when blitzing her rivals in the Senorita Stakes at Santa Anita for Phil D'Amato.” It continued, “Coulsty had his first big crop of two-year-old runners in 2025 and up to the end of October he has sired 23 individual two-year-old winners. He's getting good, solid trainer's horses that train on well. These traits have been appreciated in the sales ring results of his 2025 yearlings with prices of €200,000 and €75,000, £72,000, £65,000, €60,000 being realised and showing an impressive return on his €5,500 stud fee. “Gregorian again showed his ability to sire high class racehorses and his Amo Racing owned Hollywood Treasure stormed home to win the Listed St Hughes Stakes at Newbury for Kevin Philippart De Foy. Again his yearlings sold well making £42,000 to Amo Racing, £25,000 to Shane Power and €20,000 to BBA Ireland. We have held our stud fees at the 2025 level and hope breeders can see the opportunity to breed good racehorses at affordable prices.” The post Bungle Inthejungle Heads Rathasker Stud Roser For 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Edited Press Release Applications for The Jockey Club's paid internship program for college students and recent college graduates as well as its five academic scholarships opened Monday, the organization said in a release. The eight-week internship program will accommodate up to three interns and is now available in the summer or fall based on the intern's preference. Interns will gain exposure to all companies and departments within the organization, and they will have the opportunity to spend additional time in areas that they find to be of particular interest. The internships will take place in The Jockey Club's office located in Lexington, KY. For more information and to view the application, click here. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 5, 2026 and selected interns will be notified in February 2026. The Jockey Club scholarships will apply to the 2026-2027 academic year and are as follows: The Jockey Club Scholarship ($15,000; $7,500 per semester): for those enrolled full time as an undergraduate or graduate student at a college or university in academic pursuit of majors for future employment in the equine industry. Open to any equine breed or discipline; preference will be given to candidates with the expressed desire to secure employment in the Thoroughbred industry. The Jockey Club Advancement of Women in Racing Scholarship ($20,000; $10,000 per semester): open to women pursuing a career in the equine industry who are enrolled full time as an undergraduate student at a college or university. Open to any equine breed or discipline; preference will be given to candidates with the expressed desire to secure employment in the Thoroughbred industry. The Jockey Club Vision Scholarship ($20,000; $10,000 per semester): for students from a minority racial or ethnic group who are pursuing a career in the equine industry. Applicants must be enrolled full time as an undergraduate student at a college or university. Open to any equine breed or discipline; preference will be given to candidates with the expressed desire to secure employment in the Thoroughbred industry. The Jockey Club Nancy C. Kelly Benevolence Scholarship ($15,000; $7,500 per semester): a need-based award for Thoroughbred racing farm or backstretch workers and their families who have experienced financial hardship to enable attendance at a full-time program at a college, university, or trade program. Applicants are not required to be pursuing a career in the equine or Thoroughbred industries. The Jockey Club Jack Goodman Scholarship ($6,000; $3,000 per semester): for students enrolled in the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program (RTIP). Goodman was a resident of Tucson, a longtime member of The Jockey Club, and one of three founders of the RTIP. Click here for more information and links to applications for the scholarships. The recipients of each scholarship will be announced in the spring of 2026 in advance of the initial distribution of funds for the fall 2026 semester. The post Applications Open For TJC Internship Program, Scholarships appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Bloodstock agent Tina Rau has joined the Aga Khan Studs as international nominations representative; a newly created role aimed at strengthening the team's presence at the major European sales. Rau will work alongside Julie White and Fanny Cyprès, who oversee nominations and client relations for the Irish and French stallion rosters respectively. A graduate of both the Irish National Stud and the Godolphin Flying Start programmes, Rau founded her own agency in 2009 and has since been involved in the purchase of multiple Group 1 and Classic winners and their dams. She is also the German representative for Tattersalls and will continue that role as well as her own work as a bloodstock agent alongside her new responsibilities. Rau said, “I am delighted and honoured to be joining the Aga Khan Studs, particularly at a time when their stallion roster is at its strongest ever. I look forward to supporting breeders in their stallion selections and to working closely with the existing team to promote these outstanding horses at the European sales.” The Aga Khan Studs currently stand five stallions; Sea The Stars at Gilltown Stud in Ireland, managed by Pat Downes, and Siyouni, Zarak, Vadeni and Erevann at Haras de Bonneval in France, under the management of Pierre Gasnier. Rau can be contacted on +33 (0)6 72 22 80 74. The post Tina Rau Joins Aga Khan Studs As International Nominations Representative appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
By Special Agent · Posted
You can't knock clubs that give a few things a go. There's no future without young people getting involved. Does anyone know how the Tauherenikau after race concert went?
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