This is a very interesting article about the state of TB breeding in the U.S. now. There are lots of facts and figures, and people who know what they’re talking about offer opinions. For anyone interesting in horseracing, it’s well worth reading.
`The Hardest It’s Ever Been’: What’s Behind the Slow Start to the Breeding Season?
Add in the decline of regional markets, and the closing of so many small regional tracks. All that contributes to fewer small breeders and smaller-time owners and trainers, fewer outlets for the nice but not so fancy sales yearling.
For example, it’s great that Turfway has better quality racing now but where does that leave the old Latonia owners and trainers?
Remember when Maryland had not only Windfields but a number of other quality stallion operations and the mid Atlantic had strong state level breeding programs?
Michigan used to have two Thoroughbred tracks and a number of small breeders and stallion operations. Illinois lost Arlington, Hollywood Park and Bay Meadows in California, Suffolk Downs, Garden State…
Gulfstream is unlikely to be around much longer as well.
The house of cards is collapsing in northern California, with Golden Gate Fields closing last year. A group stepped up and tried to keep racing going at one of the fair tracks, but the initial fall season lost so much money the canceled the planned winter meet. And now, with too much uncertainty about numbers (with no stock around from a permanent meet, or it looks like even a training facility) the summer fairs are also pulling out.
Of course this is all orchestrated by Stronach/1st Racing.
Yes, the Sonoma County fair at Santa Rosa will not have racing this year. As mentioned, Golden State Racing tried to hold a meet at Pleasanton but didn’t do well and will not continue. A lot of people will be out of a job at the end of next month. It’s not just the folks directly associated with the horses such as grooms, hot walkers, (although I suppose they may move with specific trainers) etc, but those working for the track infrastructure such as groundskeepers, electricians, food service, outriders, gate crew, etc.
Hold the phone. Is that the new big show-jumping sponsor at WEF in Palm Beach? Stronach the late Canadian Austrian kinda fascist guy?
Maryland was like a mini Kentucky when Northern Dancer was alive.
Now the song, “Waitin’ around to die,” would be a better description of the industry.
Yes apparently so! Frank Stronach is still alive (and currently facing sexual assault charges) but his daughter Belinda runs 1st now.
What’s going on with Gulfstream? I’m so out of the loop these days.
It’s very likely in the next few years I’ll be relocating quite close to it.
It likely won’t be there.
https://paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/horsemen-told-gulfstream-parks-days-are-numbered
Thank you for the link. That’s discouraging. It’s a gorgeous track from my limited experience dropping in when I visit relatives in Ft Lauderdale.
IMO, racing needs to find a way to stand on its own two legs instead of relying on “saviors” as it has done for the entirety of this century.
Slots, casinos, rich billionaires, sports betting… all of them are great… until they aren’t.
But the racing problem is not as entirely connected to the breeding problem as one may assume. There are additional economic forces straining the breeding market.
Could be worse, we all could be polo breeders. First the barrage of clones, now this:
Freak out 
Genetic alteration of pigs is a good thing… for organ transplants. I have about 20 lbs of genetically modified pork in my freezer. Tastes fine. I’m hoping they modify cows next.
Not sure how I feel about genetically modified horses… very few people would be able to benefit from or afford a modified horse, so it shouldn’t become widespread.
Gulfstream park is not in a good location. I’m surprised they have lasted as long as they have.
I have no problem with clones and genetic modification. But if we started doing it for racehorses, it would be game over for racehorse breeding. The ultra-rich would dominate (more than they already do) because they can afford GM and the market for buying racehorse would undoubtedly follow.
Why do you think Gulfstream is so doomed? I really know nothing of the location. But it’s arguably one of the most influential racetracks in North America.
What makes it not a good location? Genuine question, no snark intended. 
It’s geographically close to some seriously affluent areas. And the outlets adjacent to it are always mobbed.
Chiming in here: what could the jockey club feasibly do to help breeders? My friends and I have been discussing them amongst ourselves since this article came out. We are a unique group, as we are all mid-late twenties and either breed or work directly in the industry. There’s pretty much crickets on what could actually be done, but here’s some ideas that have been spitballed:
Lower registration fees for foals born in states that are less than x percent of the foal crop. This could be the tipping point in moving a marginal mare from KY to a regional market.
Active breeder education programs put on by the Jockey Club, available via Zoom or another online source and not just in person in Lexington.
Stud fee scholarships or grants available to breeders under 30 and new breeders (bred less than 10 live foals). This would be extremely labor intensive to police and would unintentionally exclude some breeders - for example, those breeding on a foal share, but it would be an easy way to build excitement and encourage new breeders. If you don’t have the funds for a top stallion, but there’s a scholarship that can help you get to one? Well, why not try?
Active lobbying to remove sales tax for feed related to the breeding of racehorses. This might be less the Jockey Club, and more state specific, but again, if costs are continually referenced, they should look into helping reduce those costs.
I think that’s a very cool idea.
When I was breeding my first mare of my own, I was truly pleasantly surprised how supportive some of the farms were. Others not so much.
But it would be cool if the Jockey Club led the way in actively recruiting and supporting the next generation of breeders.
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