Foal crop down, according to The Jockey Club 2020 breeding statistics, 2021 foaling stats

The Jockey Club has released its breeding statistics and resulting foaling statistics for the 2020 season, reporting that 1,447 stallions covered 29,699 mares in North America, leading to a continued contraction of the foal crop.

These breedings, according to statistics compiled through Oct. 4, have resulted in 19,021 live foals of 2021 being reported to The Jockey Club on live foal reports. The breed organization estimates that the number of live foals reported is 85 to 90 percent complete. The reporting of live foals of 2021 is down 3 percent from last year at this time when The Jockey Club had received reports for 19,677 live foals of 2020.

In addition to the 19,021 live foals reported through Oct. 4, The Jockey Club also received 2,195 no-foal reports for the season. Ultimately, the 2021 registered foal crop is projected to reach 19,200.

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The number of stallions declined 7 percent from the 1,552 reported for 2019 at this time last year, while the number of mares bred declined 5 percent from the 31,198 reported for 2019.

Kentucky annually leads all states and provinces in terms of Thoroughbred breeding activity. Kentucky-based stallions accounted for 56 percent of the mares reported bred, and 61 percent of the live foals reported for 2021. Among the 10 states and provinces with the most mares covered in 2020, three produced more live foals in 2021 than in 2020: Maryland, Ontario, and New Mexico.

As customary, a report listing the number of mares bred in 2021 will be released later this month.