The Jockey Club today announced the launch of its traceability survey, which records the status of a Thoroughbred, including the horse's use and location, so that the industry can better understand the whereabouts of Thoroughbreds that have retired from breeding and racing. Respondents can also provide additional information about the horse to help generate data on the lives of retired Thoroughbreds.
"With the traceability survey, we hope everyone who owns, leases, or boards a retired or unraced Thoroughbred will voluntarily report the horse's status to help us improve traceability," said Kristin Werner, deputy general counsel and director of Industry Initiatives, The Jockey Club. "Understanding where Thoroughbreds go after their racing and breeding careers will advance the entire industry's aftercare efforts and support welfare, accountability, and public trust in the sport."
The Jockey Club requests all Thoroughbred owners complete the survey, which should take only a few minutes per horse, by June 30, 2026, but the survey will remain open so owners can update their horse's future status. In July, The Jockey Club will assess the survey responses, and an analysis of the responses will be provided at the 2026 Round Table Conference.
An Interactive Registration (IR) account, which is free at registry.jockeyclub.com, is required to complete the survey. Once logged on to IR, click Traceability Survey.
The survey is part of The Jockey Club's ongoing Traceability Initiative, which was announced at the 2023 Round Table Conference. The survey targets older horses born in 2017 and prior with paper certificates of foal registration, complementing the digital certificate traceability prompts that began in 2024.
For horses with no survey response, The Jockey Club Registry will follow up with emails to the last known connections of horses born in 2017 and prior with paper certificates of foal registration that do not have a Thoroughbred Incentive Program number or Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance activity and have not been reported as exported, deceased, or breeding stock. Connections of horses with a digital certificate will also receive follow-up notices from the Registry.
The Jockey Club Traceability Initiative helps track Thoroughbreds after their breeding and racing careers, estimate the current population, and improve traceability. Analysis of information submitted through the initiative will enable The Jockey Club to more effectively direct information and resources regarding a horse's transition from racehorse to second career.
Resources for horse owners looking to find new careers for their Thoroughbreds can be found on The Jockey Club's website at bit.ly/tjctbcareers.
Owners wishing to retire their horse from racing should use the Transferred as Retired from Racing process, which will permanently retire the horse.
