In a move that will no doubt have global ramifications, The Jockey Club of Nth America today announced stallion books would be restricted.
It has amended its Rule 14C to limit books of stallions born in 2020 and thereafter to just 140 mares preseason. This covers the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.
So the days of massive books of mares covered by the super sires, sometimes 220 in one season, are over. Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton sales will slowly reflect this change by 2015.
And there is every likelihood the concept will come to Australia also.
This rule does not effect Shuttle Stallions who may still serve their 140 in Nth America and cover a similar size book when here.
But it will chance the landscape of breeding, yearling sales and ultimately racing as well in what should be a positive way.
The bulk of patrons in our sport are the mid to low range buyers and the mid to low range breeders.
Restricting a stallion to just 140 should see a reduction in the numbers by those stallions at yearling sales time also, meaning a greater opportunity for the mid to low range buyer to purchase something.
If the change catches on in Australia in a few years time we will not see Magic Millions or Inglis top heavy with Lots by Snitzel, I Am Invincible and Exceed and Excel for example.
This, on face value, appears to be a great step forward and was reported in the US today as a way The Jockey Club sees of preserving the structural integrity of the race horse going onwards.
