The Jockey Club announced today that it is rescinding the following italicized language in Rule 14C of The Jockey Club’s Principal Rules and Requirements of the American Studbook that addresses limitations to the total number of mares bred per stallion:
The total number of broodmares bred per individual stallion whose year of birth is 2020 or thereafter shall not exceed 140 per calendar year in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The Jockey Club shall limit the number of Stallion Service Certificates for such stallions to a maximum of 140 per calendar year.
A similar rule was first proposed in September 2019 before being adopted in its current form by the board of stewards in May 2020, following extensive public comment.
“The Jockey Club board of stewards is rescinding this rule as it is concerned that the reaction to the rule may divide the industry at a time when there are many important issues that need to be addressed with unity,” said Stuart S. Janney III, chairman 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 bolster and support the industry in the years to come.”
Coolmore America, one of the world’s leading stallion stations and home to Justify, American Pharoah and others, said in a statement on Twitter:
We welcome the decision of the Jockey Club to drop its ‘stallion cap’ rule change, a move which we agree supports the greater good of the industry.
The Jockey Club has listened to concerns expressed, and we endorse its call for the industry to unite behind the common goal of growing and promoting thoroughbred breeding and racing in Kentucky and throughout the USA.
We should work together to ensure the sustainability and welfare of the breed and invest in supporting the industry’s future.
The decision follows the introduction on Monday by the Speaker of Kentucky’s House of Representatives, David Osborne – along with co-sponsor Representative Matthew Koch – of legislation to prevent any “registrar of Thoroughbreds” from implementing a cap.
It is clear this legislation had overwhelming support from State legislators, who recognised that the cap risked impacting the livelihoods of many working in the industry and would have hurt an activity for which Kentucky is internationally renowned and respected.
We commend Speaker Osborne and Representative Koch for taking the lead on this issue, which will help to keep Kentucky relevant in the international bloodstock market. From our experience in Ireland, we know how important it is to nurture a critical mass of breeding excellence, which is a position Kentucky has long held, and can now maintain into the future.
It could not have been in the interests of Kentucky racing for the progeny of great sires like Spendthrift’s Into Mischief, or Three Chimney’s Gun Runner to be restricted artificially. The quality and attraction of an auction house like Keeneland would have been damaged if, for example, the cap had reduced the number of yearlings from a stallion of the calibre of Into Mischief each year at Kentucky sales by over 70.
We intend to send 10 mares to Into Mischief this year, something that would not be possible with stallions of his stature in future if the cap had been maintained, and it would restrict similar access for many other breeders also.
Spendthrift Farm’s Eric Gustavson also issued a statement on Twitter:
Arguments in favour of the stallion cap included pedigree diversity and large foal crops for young, unproven stallions.
~ with files from CT staff
More from Canadian Thoroughbred:
