New mares-bred fee designed to increase funding for aftercare

Dec. 21, 2017

In an effort to increase funding for Thoroughbred aftercare, The Jockey Club beginning in 2018 will require payment of $35 for each mare reported bred to a stallion on the organization’s annual Report of Mares Bred form.

The announcement was made Dec. 21. The Jockey Club said the fee will supplement industry funding that already goes to various initiatives including the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which accredits retirement and re-homing farms; Thoroughbred Charities of America; and the Thoroughbred Incentive Program, which recognizes Thoroughbreds that compete in non-racing events.

Based on statistics for mares bred in the United States in 2016, the fee would have generated about $1.1 million.

“The Jockey Club has examined its rate structure, and a fee for mares reported bred is consistent with fees required by other Thoroughbred breed registries worldwide,” said Jim Gagliano, President and Chief Operating Officer for The Jockey Club. “We are pleased to announce that proceeds of this fee will be used to support a host of aftercare initiatives.”

In coordination with The Jockey Club of Canada, funds raised from Canadian customers of The Jockey Club will be directed to Canadian Thoroughbred aftercare organizations to supplement their efforts, and funds from Puerto Rico will be dedicated to support Thoroughbreds at recognized programs there, according to a release. Canada and Puerto Rico are included in various North American breeding statistics.

“These funds will augment the great work already being done by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which now accredits and grants funds to dozens of aftercare organizations each year,” said John Phillips, owner of Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky, President of TAA and a member of the The Jockey Club Board of Stewards.

(Photo by Jessica Hammond)