US Jockey Club to rescind 140-mare cap rule to bring more industry unity

In a move it hopes will bring more unity in the industry, the US Jockey Club announced it is rescinding a rule that would have limited the number of mares bred per stallion per year.

In a release on Thursday, the Jockey Club said it would rescind language in Rule 14C in its principal rules and requirements of the American Studbook that created a 140-mare cap.

The language of the rule being rescinded is: "The total number of broodmares bred per individual stallion whose year of birth is 2020 or thereafter shall not exceed 140 per calendar year in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The Jockey Club shall limit the number of Stallion Service Certificates for such stallions to a maximum of 140 per calendar year."

The rule had been opposed by three major stallion farms, which challenged the rule with a lawsuit. Recently, Kentucky lawmakers filed legislation that would have prohibited the Jockey Club from putting such a limit on Kentucky stallions.

The Jockey Club said a similar mare cap rule was first proposed in September 2019 before being adopted in its current form by the board of stewards in May 2020, following extensive public comment. Now the rule will be updated to remove the mare cap.

"The Jockey Club board of stewards is rescinding this rule as it is concerned that the reaction to the rule may divide the industry at a time when there are many important issues that need to be addressed with unity," said Stuart Janney III, chairman of the Jockey Club. "We are taking this action for the greater good of the entire industry.

"The Jockey Club remains committed to the sustainability and welfare of the breed and will continue to invest in programmes and research that will bolster and support the industry in the years to come."

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