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'When cash is on the table, genetic diversity will not be everyone's concern'

James Thomas on the American Jockey Club's proposed book restrictions

A mare and her newborn foal
A mare and her newborn foalCredit: Patrick McCann

The American Jockey Club has hurled the cat among the pigeons with the news that it is considering limiting stallions' books to 140 mares per calendar year in North America.

There are undoubtedly noble intentions behind this proposal, with Jockey Club stewards said to be "concerned with the narrowing of the diversity of the thoroughbred gene pool".

Should each sire be allowed to cover a maximum of 'just' 140 mares a season, rudimentary maths dictates that more stallions would receive support - and therefore the chance to succeed - than is the case at present.

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