Three of Kentucky’s largest stud farms, Spendthrift, Ashford Farm and Three Chimneys Farm, have filed a lawsuit to challenge The US Jockey Club’s new rule to restrict stallions from covering more than 140 mares each year.
Bloodhorse.com reports that one of the plaintiffs, Spendthrift Farm’s B. Wayne Hughes said, “The introduction of the stallion cap by The Jockey Club is a blatant abuse of power that is bad law, bad science, and bad business. A handful of individuals from a private club in New York have been allowed to make a decision that will negatively impact the future of Thoroughbred racing and breeding both in Kentucky and the whole country.”
In the 2020 breeding season, 42 stallions in the USA covered more than 140 mares, and twelve of those covered more than 200, led by Ashford’s Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie-Playa Maya, by Arch) at 257 followed by Spendthrift’s Into Mischief (Harlan’s Holiday-Leslie’s Lady, by Tricky Creek) at 248.
The lawsuit states, “As a result (of the cap), the highest quality Thoroughbred horses will be bred less times than market economics would otherwise dictate. Hundreds of millions of dollars of stud fee revenues will be impacted; all owners of mares will pay higher prices to breed their mares; and less well-connected owners of mares will be precluded entirely from access to high quality stallions.”
The Jockey Club issued a statement, saying, “Because the rule applies only to stallions born in 2020 or later, any effect on future stud fees or breeding economics is speculative. The Jockey Club stands by the rule and its purpose, which is to preserve the health of the Thoroughbred breed for the long term. The Jockey Club will continue to maintain the Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Studbook in keeping with its mission to ensure the health of the Thoroughbred breed.”
