NY Foal Crop Figures Continue to Grow

by Mike Kane

New York’s foal crop grew again last year–a jump of 4.4%–according to figures compiled by the state’s Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund. 

The stat, showing 1,603 live births, up from 1,534, is included in the annual report compiled by the fund’s executive director, Tracy Egan, for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature. The fund is required to submit the report by the end of January. 

While the size of the national foal crop has been in decline and most state totals are down, New York continues to buck the trend. The opening of the video lottery terminal (VLT) at Aqueduct Racetrack in 2011 produced long-anticipated revenue for the New York Racing Association and for the breeding fund and sparked the revival of the breeding business in the state. 

“It’s a positive sign,” said Jeffrey Cannizzo, the executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. and member of the fund’s board. “I think it was an expected sign for those close to the New York breeding scene. Seeing a 4% spike in the foal crop from 2013 is right where I thought we’d be. I’ve said for a few years now that I don’t think New York was going to see a dramatic change from year to year. 

“A better way to look at this is what has happened since our smallest foal crop on record, which was back in ’11 with a little over 1,200 foals. That’s a 30% increase from 2011 to 2014 and that’s the scale I tend to look at. It’s a long-term process to better New York breeding with our regional program. Year to year, from ’13 to ’14, a 4% increase fits in well.”
 
In August 2013, the Jockey Club projected that the 2014 national foal crop would be 22,000. New York’s percentage of the national foal crop climbed over six percent in 2012 and could crack 7% in 2014. 

“To line us up with the national scene, this is fantastic news,” Cannizzo said. “With the foal crop being down nationally and ours being up 4%, the picture in New York state is very rosy.” 

Based on reports of mares bred last year, Cannizzo said he expects the 2015 New York foal crop will be similar to the 2014 figures. 

The passage of the VLT legislation in 2001 led to a dramatic growth in the New York foal crops. The combination of the 10-year delay in the opening of the casino at Aqueduct and the international recession dealt a devastating blow to the New York breeding business. Thanks to increases in purses and breeders’ awards administered by the fund, it has bounced back in this decade.