The North American registered Thoroughbred foal crop is projected to be 18,500 in 2023, The Jockey Club (TJC) reported Friday morning. This is 200 fewer foals than last year's estimate of 18,700 and represents the seventh straight year of decline. The last time numbers like this were seen was in 1965, when the foal crop was 18,846.
The high-water mark of 51,296 was reached in 1986. The crop has declined every year since then with the exception of 2015.
Additional foal crop information is available in TJC's online fact book.
The foal crop projection is computed by using Reports of Mares Bred (RMBs) received to date for the 2022 breeding season. RMBs are to be filed by Aug. 1 of each breeding season. TJC is encouraging stallion owners who have not returned their RMBs for the 2022 breeding season to do so as soon as possible; it can be done online at registry.jockeyclub.com.
The 2020 foal crop, at 20,500, was the last time 20,000 foals were surpassed in a single year. Click here to download a historical table dating back to 1900.
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