Pennsylvania, Maryland show gains in number of mares bred

Posted: Oct. 25, 2020

Pennsylvania and Maryland are among the top 10 states and provinces by mares bred in 2020 that showed an increase from 2019, according to date released by The Jockey Club.

The data is based on the number of reports of mares bred in North America (27,970) received through Oct. 18. The Jockey Club said it expects another 2,500 to 3,500 mares will be reported as having been bred in 2020. The 2019 figure was 29,662.

The Jockey Club also reported that 1,067 stallions covered the 27,970 mares in North America this year. Of the top 10 states and provinces by number of mares reported bred in 2020, stallions in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Mexico and Louisiana covered more mares in 2020 than in 2019 as reported at this time last year.

Pennsylvania led the way with a 7.0% increase from 686 mares bred in 2019 to 734 in 2020. Maryland showed a 3.3% increase to 806 mares bred from 780 last year.

Kentucky traditionally leads North America in Thoroughbred breeding activity. During 2020, Kentucky’s 200 reported stallions covered 16,391 mares, or 58.6% of all of the mares reported bred in North America. The number of mares bred to Kentucky stallions decreased 4.3% compared with the 17,123 reported at this time last year, The Jockey Club reported.