Next year's foal crop estimated to decline to 18,000

The Jockey Club is projecting a 2024 North American registered Thoroughbred foal crop of 18,000, which is 500 fewer than the 2023 estimate.

Since the foal crop was 35,274 born in 2008, before the recession later that year, the number has made a year-to-year rise just once – and that was a very minor move from 23,001 in 2014 to 23,047 in 2015.

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The foal crop projection is computed by using Reports of Mares Bred received to date for the 2023 breeding season. Those reports were due to be filed by Aug. 1.

More details on Reports of Mares Bred, including book sizes and names of mares bred for individual stallions, and the distribution of breeding activity by state, is typically released in October by The Jockey Club.

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