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Pedigree Lament by John Greathouse

For years commercial breeders have mortgaged their collective futures for today's cash.

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Clay Addresses Club as Honor Guest of 2009

Catesby W. Clay of Runnymede Farm believes the Thoroughbred industry will bounce back, as it has in the past.

Another Financial Hit Looms for KY Breeders

The Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund could be reduced by 30% because of declining revenue, while horse farms "can't withstand another year like 2009," Kentucky lawmakers were told Nov. 10 during a meeting of the Joint Subcommittee on Horse Farming.

Ferguson Sells Woodford Interest to Partner

Tony Ferguson said Aug. 4 he has sold his partnership interest in Woodford Thoroughbreds to his partner John Sykes.

Beshear: Gaming 'Viable Option' in KY

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said he has been proactive in his support of expanded gambling to assist horse racing and breeding, and the "continued tough economy may further underscore that effort."

Mare, Foal Reports Due to Jockey Club

With the breeding and foaling seasons nearing conclusion, The Jockey Club reminds owners and breeders to submit reports of mares bred and live foal reports.

Congress May Call June Hearing on Racing

A congressional subcommittee could schedule a hearing as early as June to examine breakdowns, medication use, and breeding practices in Thoroughbreds.

WinStar's Way: Controlling Books

WinStar is trying to exercise restraint in the size of its stallions' books.

Layton to Leave Three Chimneys

Margaret Layton, longtime communications director for Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky., announced Jan. 15 she will be leaving the operation after the May 3 Kentucky Derby.

'TrueNicks' System is Launched

Blood-Horse Publications has announced the launch of the "TrueNicks" sire-line affinity system, in conjunction with Pedigree Research, a pedigree consultancy firm headed by Alan Porter and Byron Rogers.

Street Sense, Hard Spun to Darley After Retirement

Breeding rights secured by Darley for one-two Kentucky Derby finishers.

Lane's End Stallions Having Banner Year

Farm has five stud horses ranked among the top 11 leading sires of 2007.

Breeders' Cup Foal Nominations of 16,272 a Record

A record number of foals were nominated to the Breeders' Cup program in 2006, and now a record 52% of the eligible North American foal crop can participate in the program.

Smarty Jones Treated for Minor Blockage

Smarty Jones has been treated for a blocked ampulla and the dual classic winner has resumed normal breeding activity.

Eligibility Rules Revised for Pennsylvania-Breds

The Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association has announced that effective with foals born in 2007 and thereafter, eligibility criteria for Pennsylvania-bred registration with the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund program have been revised.

Aga Khan Buys Lagardere Operation

The Aga Khan, one of Europe's leading breeders and owners, has purchased the Lagardere family's entire bloodstock operation.

John Gaines: In His Own Words

The following is the transcript of a question and answer session by John Gaines with Dan Liebman, executive editor of The Blood-Horse, which appeared in the pages of the magazine in October, 1999.

New Sires of 2005: Popularity Contest

Racing in general seems to slow down over the winter. Oh sure, there are newly-turned 3-year-olds to watch at Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita, and other major tracks and the announcements of the Eclipse Award winners and Experimental Free Handicap. But overall, there is a letdown in excitement.

As Competition Grows, Kentucky Seeks Solutions

The protection of and growth in Kentucky's Thoroughbred breeding and racing program was the focal point of the University of Louisville's "State of the Industry" seminar Nov. 2.

Maryland Oh Maryland

by Dan Liebman -- In a feature story in last week's issue of The Blood-Horse, Airdrie Stud owner and former Kentucky governor Brereton C. Jones said he is personally against slot machines. If truth be told, there probably isn't a single horse breeder who actually hoped the day would come when slots would be necessary for the survival of racing.

Live Foal Report: 36,274 Foals of '04

The Jockey Club released its Live Foal Report Thursday afternoon, and reports that 4,203 stallions covered 63,154 mares in North America during 2003, according to statistics compiled through Sept. 9. These coverings have resulted in 36,274 foals of 2004 being reported to The Jockey Club.

Gaines Announces New Venture

Lexington Thoroughbred owner and breeder John Gaines has announced the formation of a new company, Early Season Income. According to a release, the company's main focus is to offer early cash flow for stallion shareholders and season owners.

The Blood-Horse Launches StallionRegister.Com

Blood-Horse Publications has launched a new tool designed to aid users in making breeding, auction, and other important purchasing decisions. The new StallionRegister.com provides 24-hour online comprehensive statistical information on over 450 leading stallions and on 2,500 stallions actively standing around the world.

Improving the Breed

By Martin Stiles -- Improving the breed would be well served by establishing and maintaining a purse structure that disproportionately rewards the winners of the very best races (grade I), and forbids race-day medication in those races. I think Federico Tesio would approve.

New Era for New Mexico Breeders

New Mexico breeding industry has been rejuvenated by money from trackside slot machines.

Three States Looking for First Breeders' Cup Winners

Following the 129 grade I races run during the first 18 years of the Breeders' Cup, 75 times the horse led into the winner's circle was bred in Kentucky. That 58% strike rate leads all states or countries in that category.

Kentucky Breeding Regulations Amended

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture filed emergency regulations regarding testing procedures for contagious equine metritis (CEM) to be followed when breeding an imported mare in the state. These regulations require an extra pre-breeding swab of the endometrium, and will allow a stallion covering an imported mare to be treated and returned to service rather than waiting the previous 12-hour mandatory rest period.

Important Breeding Procedure Changed in Kentucky

Due to concerns resulting from last year's foal losses attributed to mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS), the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Feb. 4 filed emergency regulations regarding procedures that are followed when breeding an imported mare in the state.

Fee Follies: Breeding at the Right Level

The late John M.S. Finney once compared the science of Thoroughbred breeding with Albert Einstein's theory of relativity. "Where E represents equine investment," Finney said, "M represents money, and C represents confusion--E equals MC squared."

With MRLS Outbreak, 2001 Was Year of Loss For Breeding Industry

The worst health problem to hit the Thoroughbred industry since CEM and EVA occurred during the spring of 2001. What was grouped by the industry under the heading of mare reproductive loss syndrome actually was two reproductive situations. The first was the loss/abortion of late-term or at-term gestations. Some foals were born compromised and later died. The second situation was early fetal loss.

With MRLS Outbreak, 2000 Was Year of Loss For Breeding Industry

The worst health problem to hit the Thoroughbred industry since CEM and EVA occurred during the spring of 2001. What was grouped by the industry under the heading of mare reproductive loss syndrome actually was two reproductive situations. The first was the loss/abortion of late-term or at-term gestations. Some foals were born compromised and later died. The second situation was early fetal loss.

From the Print Edition: First Crop Weanling Report

Most commercial breeders peering into a crystal ball in 1999 saw nothing but blue skies. However, as are the rules, planning out two or three years ahead can prove to be a tricky game. Breeders selling weanlings from first-crop sires in 2001 have experienced more than a little turbulence from the time they planned their 2000 matings to when they brought their crop to market at last month's major breeding stock sales.

From the Print Edition: First Crop Weanling Report

Most commercial breeders peering into a crystal ball in 1999 saw nothing but blue skies. However, as are the rules, planning out two or three years ahead can prove to be a tricky game. Breeders selling weanlings from first-crop sires in 2001 have experienced more than a little turbulence from the time they planned their 2000 matings to when they brought their crop to market at last month's major breeding stock sales.

TV Series Focuses on Horse Genome Project, Quest For Better Racehorse

The horse genome project and the pros and cons of genetic tinkering within breeding will be the focus of a "Science Times" segment that will air Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 9:00 (EST).

Live Foal Report Released; Tale of the Cat Covers Most Mares

Tale of the Cat, who covered the second most mares in North America during the 1999 breeding season, moved up to the top spot during the 2000 breeding season. The Ashford Stud stallion covered 176 mares during the 2000 breeding season after covering 147 mares in 1999.

Breed For Speed

By Edwin Anthony -- After years of research, I've come to the conclusion that speed is the single most important factor in determining a horse's chances to succeed as a sire of sires.

Slew Back with a Bang

Seattle Slew, back in the breeding shed after major surgery last year, has gotten 19 mares in foal from 22 reported covers as of April 19. "He is doing unbelievably well," said Mickey Taylor, who owns and is the syndicate manager of the son of Bold Reasoning. "He is a very happy horse and pleased to be back at work. He's feeling better all the time. In the past month or two he's gotten a lot stronger, and neurologically he's gotten better as well."

A Sunday Drive

By Ray Paulick -- Some Western Hemisphere breeders worry about the heavy concentration of Northern Dancer and Mr. Prospector blood in the modern-day Thoroughbred. They're not alone in their concerns over a limited gene pool. A similar predicament is developing in Japan, where Sunday Silence reigns supreme.

Good Teasing Program Still Vital

Modern technology has provided the veterinarian and horse owner with many sophisticated tools. However, a good teasing program is still essential for insuring success in an equine breeding program, writes Les Sellnow in the February edition of The Horse.