Slightly larger foal crop projected for 2016

The Jockey Club projected the 2016 North American registered Thoroughbred foal crop at 22,500 on Saturday. If the projection holds true, it would mark the first year-to-year growth in the North American foal crop since 2005.

The projections for the 2014 and 2015 foal crops were both 22,000. The figure entails foals born in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

The foal crop projection is computed by using Reports of Mares Bred received to date for the 2015 breeding season, which are due by Aug. 1 of each breeding season. Stallion owners who have not returned their Reports of Mares Bred for the 2015 breeding season are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

“The projection for the 2016 foal crop is based on reports of mares bred received to date, and we estimate that approximately 80% of those reports have been received,” said Matt Iuliano, executive vice president and executive director of The Jockey Club.