The annual statistics represent approximately 92% of the mares that eventually will be reported as bred in 2014. According to historical trends, The Jockey Club expects to receive RMBs representing an additional 2,000 to 3,000 mares bred during the 2014 breeding season.
The number of stallions declined 8.9% from the 1,698 reported at this time in 2013, and the number of mares bred increased 1.1% from the 34,174 reported at this time last year.
The number of stallions covering 100 or more mares increased from 88 in 2013 to 97 in 2014. These stallions accounted for a greater percentage of the total mares reported bred this year — 36.4% of all mares bred in 2014 versus 34.0% of all mares bred in 2013 as reported at this time last year. RMB statistics for all reported stallions in 2014 are available through the Fact Book section of The Jockey Club’s website at jockeyclub.com.
Further book size analysis shows an 8.3% increase in the number of mares bred to stallions with a book size of 100 or more in 2014 when compared to 2013 as reported at this time last year; a 12.9% increase in mares bred to stallions with a book size between 75 and 99; a 4.8% decrease in mares bred to stallions with a book size between 50 and 74; a 1.2% increase in mares bred to stallions with a book size between 25 and 49; and a 9.2% decrease in mares bred to stallions with a book size fewer than 25.
The stallion Kitten’s Joy led all stallions with 204 mares bred in 2014. Rounding out the top five were Into Mischief, 203; Scat Daddy, 202; Midnight Lute, 186; and Violence, 181.
Kentucky traditionally leads North America in Thoroughbred breeding activity. During 2014, Kentucky’s 233 reported stallions covered 16,826 mares, or 48.7% of all of the mares reported bred in North America. The number of mares bred to Kentucky stallions increased 7.2% percent compared with the 15,695 reported at this time last year.
Of the top 10 states and provinces by number of mares reported bred in 2012, Kentucky, Florida, and California, New York, and Maryland stallions covered more mares in 2014 than in 2013, as reported at this time last year.
A detailed breakdown is available at jockeyclub.com.
