The Jockey Club, the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds, is projecting a smaller North American registered Thoroughbred foal crop of 18,700 in 2022. This represents 500 fewer foals than the 2021 foal crop estimate of 19,200.
The foal crop projection is computed by using Reports of Mares Bred received to date for the 2021 breeding season. RMBs are to be filed by Aug. 1 of each breeding season.
Additional foal crop information is available in The Jockey Club's online fact book at jockeyclub.com/factbook.asp and in the online state fact books.
The North American registered foal crop totaled more than 38,000 in both 2005 and 2006 at its high points this century, but the total of registered foals has trended downward since. It leveled out at just over 23,000 a year from 2012-15 before a resumption of declines.
Declining foals crops have contributed to less racing and smaller fields. Smaller fields yield lower handle from bettors, though the total North American handle has fluctuated between $11.3 billion and $11.9 billion since 2015.
Stallion owners who have not returned their RMBs for the 2021 breeding season are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Interactive Registration, which enables registered users to perform virtually all registration-related activities over the Internet, is the most efficient means of submitting RMBs and is available at registry.jockeyclub.com.
