Ohio horse breeding in decline
 August 1, 2007, 3:24 pm (1 year ago)Ohio’s ongoing decline in thoroughbred foal production is set to continue in 2007, having fallen 47 percent in the last 10 years.
Between January and July only 19 accredited foals and 19 Ohio-foaled thoroughbreds were registered.
Registrations have dropped from 611 foals in 1997 to 292 foals in 2006. This trend is set to continue this year putting the industry’s 16,000 jobs and $730 million horse racing industry under threat.
The Ohio equine industry is also bracing itself for flat or lower registrations for 2007, and is awaiting the results of the mares bred reports that must be filed by September 1. Since 1995, there has been a 36 percent decrease in Ohio standardbred foal production, from 1,950 to 1,468 in 2006.
Betty Alexander, president of Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners said figures could improve before the end of the year but it was not looking hopeful. She said she isn’t surprised by declining numbers given the quality of breeding programs in surrounding states.
Alexander, who owns a thoroughbred farm in Chesterland, Ohio, also said top breeding stallions are being relocated because of the poor track competitiveness in Ohio.
In addition, revenue from breeding is also declining steadily in the state, as states like Indiana and Pennsylvania see a sharp increase in revenues after significant investment in the industry.
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