TBA Statement on British Production Figures and Welfare Concerns
Whilst fully supporting and endorsing the British Horseracing Authority's stance on welfare concerns, following the publication of the 2008 General Stud Book Fact Book on 10th February, the TBA would like to make a formal statement in response to the inaccurate press reports and letters from concerned individuals, regarding the Industry's production figures and the claims that considerable numbers of viable broodmares and youngstock are being euthanized as a direct result of the current economic circumstances.
In making this statement the TBA acknowledges that there are concerns regarding overproduction of Thoroughbreds, but points out that British and Irish breeders are producing foals for an open market, for which the supply has increased considerably over the last decade in response to increases in demand and prices. The TBA has been advised that imposing restrictions on production would incur a legal challenge. Therefore, the only measures available to influence change are market forces and education.
The British Racing Industry currently needs in excess of 26,000 individual horses in training to meet its Fixture List requirements. Current British foal production alone, which as at 31 December 2008 reported 5,912 Thoroughbred foals born in Great Britain, cannot provide sufficient numbers. The Racing Post survey of 2008 noted that 67% of breeders own horses in training and 77% of breeders have been in the industry longer than 10 years. This level of investment confirms that Racing and Breeding in Great Britain are interdependent, and breeding in particular is dependent on a healthy racing industry for its future.
The Industry is currently witnessing a reduction in demand for racehorses as the economic climate worsens However, claims that “Foals are being killed at birth, mares shot in the field, pregnant horses aborted, and healthy prize winners butchered in the abattoir” are inaccurate and sensationalist. Thoroughbred racehorses have some of the highest costs of production of all horse breeds, and their care and welfare are of paramount importance to breeders. It makes no economic sense for breeders to destroy healthy foals or mares solely because of the current economic downturn, when they could be kept in order to be sold or to be covered in later years.
Claims that unsold foals were abandoned at sales complexes after the 2008 Sales in Great Britain are unfounded. The introduction of mandatory microchips for all registered Thoroughbreds enables the horse to be traced throughout its career and its owner's details to be identified. Abandoning Thoroughbred foals and horses of any age is therefore counterproductive, as owners can easily be identified.
Micro-chipping of Thoroughbred horses also enables the Racing Authorities to accurately establish the extent of racehorses, broodmares, and youngstock that have been destroyed.
The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association provides in excess of £200K annual funding in support of veterinary research projects. TBA members, via the voluntary foal levy, also provide funding in support of the valuable work of the Retraining of Racehorses charity and the TBA is represented on its Board of Trustees.
At this stage there is only anecdotal evidence to support a perceived reduction in the number of British mares to be covered in 2009. In the meantime, the TBA accepts that a reduction in numbers may not be fully reflected in the resulting foal crop of 2009. However, we would reiterate that the current foal production figures in Great Britain alone are insufficient to fulfill the requirements of the Racing Industry's Fixture List; therefore criticisms directed solely at British breeders are neither accurate nor fair.
19th Feb 2008