'The decline will show' - is racing facing a supply crisis as foal numbers fall?

Falling field sizes and the volume of the fixture list have been a near constant point of discussion for British racing in recent months but there are those who believe one important element is being overlooked.

Races need racehorses and, while the number of horses in training has stood up despite the impact of Covid-19, the number of foals being produced is falling.

Were this only a British phenomenon that might not be an issue, as horses could be sourced from elsewhere, but foal numbers are falling worldwide – certainly in all the major racing nations, with the exception of France – raising concerns about the sustainability of the current fixture list.