Move beyond the thundering hooves and the flash of silks, because the Thoroughbred industry is a powerful economic engine generating billions in revenue and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the globe.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the U.S. Thoroughbred industry contributed $5.8 billion to the national GDP through direct, indirect, and induced effects
- The Thoroughbred racing sector generated $1.2 billion in taxes for federal, state, and local governments in 2022 across the U.S.
- In 2023, Thoroughbred racing supported 256,000 jobs nationwide in the U.S., with wages totaling $4.9 billion
- In 2023, the number of Thoroughbred races run in North America totaled 32,847, down 2% from 2022
- Average field size for U.S. Thoroughbred races in 2023 was 7.2 horses, the lowest since records began in 1990
- Handle per race day in U.S. Thoroughbred racing hit $4.8 million in 2023, up 6% from prior year
- North American Thoroughbred foal crop in 2023 was 15,237 registered foals, down 8.3% from 2022 peak
- Keeneland September Yearling Sale 2023 grossed $406.3 million for 2,728 Thoroughbreds sold, average $148,742
- Fasig-Tipton November Breeding Stock Sale 2023 sold 847 Thoroughbreds for $115.2 million, RNA 22%
- Thoroughbred industry employed 1.74 million people in the U.S. in 2022 across racing, breeding, and related sectors
- Kentucky Thoroughbred sector supported 58,500 direct jobs in 2023, with average wage $45,200 annually
- U.S. racetrack employment totaled 26,000 full-time equivalents in 2023, including backstretch workers
- U.S. Thoroughbred fatality rate in racing was 1.66 per 1,000 starts in 2022, per Jockey Club data
- In 2023, 92% of U.S. Thoroughbred racetracks implemented HISA safety protocols reducing injuries by 15%
- Average Thoroughbred racehorse career length was 22 starts over 3.2 years in 2023 U.S. data
The global Thoroughbred industry generates major economic benefits and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Breeding and Sales
1North American Thoroughbred foal crop in 2023 was 15,237 registered foals, down 8.3% from 2022 peak
Verified2Keeneland September Yearling Sale 2023 grossed $406.3 million for 2,728 Thoroughbreds sold, average $148,742
Verified3Fasig-Tipton November Breeding Stock Sale 2023 sold 847 Thoroughbreds for $115.2 million, RNA 22%
Verified4In 2023, 38% of North American Thoroughbred foals were by sires in their first or second crop
Directional5OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training 2023 topped $45.9 million for 1,185 Thoroughbreds, average $38,730
Single source6European Thoroughbred yearling sales in 2023 totaled €1.1 billion, led by Arqana with €156 million
Verified7U.S. Thoroughbred mare books in 2023 averaged 45 foalings per top 100 mares, up from 42 in 2022
Verified8Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale 2023 grossed £144.5 million for 547 Thoroughbreds, average £264,073
Verified9In 2023, 4,128 Thoroughbred weanlings sold at U.S. auctions for $234.6 million, average $56,823
Directional10Japanese Thoroughbred mare fertility rate was 92.3% in 2023, producing 7,892 foals
Single source11Gulfstream 2-Year-Old Sale 2023 sold 112 Thoroughbreds for $19.8 million, average $176,786
Verified12Average Thoroughbred yearling price at U.S. sales rose to $105,400 in 2023 from $98,200 in 2022
Verified13Irish Thoroughbred foal registrations hit 6,847 in 2023, down 4% YoY
Verified14Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Spring Sale 2023 grossed $92.4 million for 1,104 yearlings, average $83,700
Directional15In 2023, 22 stallions covered 200+ mares in North America, led by Into Mischief with 304
Single source16Australian Thoroughbred yearling sales 2022-23 totaled AUD 413 million for 5,492 lots
Verified17UK National Hunt Thoroughbred foal crop was 5,234 in 2023, stable from prior year
Verified18Barretts Equine Ltd. Select Yearling Sale 2023 sold 142 Thoroughbreds for $4.6 million, avg $32,394
VerifiedBreeding and Sales Interpretation
Though the foal crop shrinks and fertility rates fluctuate, the relentless machinery of the Thoroughbred industry roars on, funneling billions through sales rings where ever-fewer, ever-more expensive prospects are traded with gambler's hope.
Economic Impact
1In 2022, the U.S. Thoroughbred industry contributed $5.8 billion to the national GDP through direct, indirect, and induced effects
Verified2The Thoroughbred racing sector generated $1.2 billion in taxes for federal, state, and local governments in 2022 across the U.S.
Verified3In 2023, Thoroughbred racing supported 256,000 jobs nationwide in the U.S., with wages totaling $4.9 billion
Verified4Global Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry was valued at $42 billion in 2022, led by markets in the U.S., UK, Japan, and Australia
Directional5In Kentucky, the Thoroughbred industry accounted for 1.9% of the state's GDP in 2022, generating $6.4 billion in total economic output
Single source6New York Thoroughbred racing contributed $4.2 billion to the economy in 2022, including $1.1 billion in wages and benefits
Verified7The U.S. Thoroughbred sales market averaged $384,272 per horse sold at auction in 2023, up 12% from 2022
Verified8Pari-mutuel handle for U.S. Thoroughbred racing reached $11.2 billion in 2023, a 4.5% increase year-over-year
Verified9Florida's Thoroughbred industry generated $2.1 billion in economic impact in 2022, supporting 18,000 jobs
Directional10In 2022, the Australian Thoroughbred racing industry contributed AUD 5.6 billion to GDP, with wagering turnover at AUD 7.8 billion
Single source11The 2023 Kentucky Derby Week generated $287 million in direct spending for Louisville, with total economic impact exceeding $400 million
Verified12U.S. Thoroughbred breeding farms produced $1.8 billion in farm gate revenue in 2022 from horse sales and services
Verified13British Horseracing generated £4.7 billion in economic impact in 2022, including £1.7 billion from tourism
Verified14Japanese Thoroughbred racing industry's JRA contributions reached ¥3.4 trillion in economic value in FY2022
Directional15California Thoroughbred racing provided $1.5 billion in annual economic benefits, including $500 million in state taxes in 2022
Single source16In 2023, U.S. Thoroughbred industry purse money totaled $1.6 billion, distributed across 30,000+ races
Verified17Dubai World Cup night generated $250 million in economic impact for UAE in 2023, driven by Thoroughbred racing
Verified18Irish Thoroughbred industry exported €1.2 billion in bloodstock in 2022, contributing 0.5% to national GDP
Verified19Saudi Cup 2023 purse of $20 million boosted local economy by $100 million in tourism and spending
Directional20Ontario Thoroughbred racing generated CAD 1.8 billion in economic activity in 2022, supporting 12,000 jobs
Single sourceEconomic Impact Interpretation
It appears the Thoroughbred industry isn't just horsing around, given it fuels hundreds of thousands of jobs, generates billions in taxes, and stakes a serious economic claim across the globe, from Kentucky to Dubai.
Employment and Jobs
1Thoroughbred industry employed 1.74 million people in the U.S. in 2022 across racing, breeding, and related sectors
Verified2Kentucky Thoroughbred sector supported 58,500 direct jobs in 2023, with average wage $45,200 annually
Verified3U.S. racetrack employment totaled 26,000 full-time equivalents in 2023, including backstretch workers
Verified4Globally, Thoroughbred racing employed 300,000 direct workers in 2022, per IFHA estimates
Directional5Florida Thoroughbred farms and training centers employed 14,200 people in 2022, generating $650 million in wages
Single source6Jockeys numbered 1,200 active in U.S. Thoroughbred racing in 2023, with top earners averaging $2.5 million
Verified7British Thoroughbred industry sustained 85,000 jobs in 2022, 40% in rural areas
Verified8In 2023, 12,500 trainers were licensed for Thoroughbred racing in North America
Verified9Australian Thoroughbred racing supported 120,000 jobs in 2022-23, including wagering sector
Directional10New York Thoroughbred racing employed 22,000 workers in 2022, with $1.1 billion in payroll
Single source11Veterinarians in U.S. Thoroughbred industry numbered 4,500 in 2023, specializing in equine medicine
Verified12Farriers servicing Thoroughbreds totaled 8,000 nationwide in 2022, per farrier associations
Verified13California Thoroughbred employment reached 25,000 jobs in 2023, focused on Southern CA tracks
Verified14Exercise riders and grooms comprised 40% of racetrack workforce, about 10,400 in U.S. 2023
Directional15Irish Thoroughbred sector employed 28,000 full-time equivalents in 2022, 70% in breeding
Single source16Pari-mutuel clerks and mutuel tellers numbered 5,200 in U.S. Thoroughbred venues in 2023
Verified17Ontario racing industry jobs totaled 9,500 in 2022, with training programs for 1,200 apprentices
Verified18Women held 45% of Thoroughbred industry jobs in U.S. in 2023, up from 38% in 2018
VerifiedEmployment and Jobs Interpretation
Beneath the glamour and the thunder of hooves lies a sprawling economic engine, quietly employing over a million Americans and hundreds of thousands worldwide, from blacksmiths in rural barns to clerks at bustling windows, all ensuring this historic sport keeps the lights on and paychecks signed.
Horse Welfare and Safety
1U.S. Thoroughbred fatality rate in racing was 1.66 per 1,000 starts in 2022, per Jockey Club data
Verified2In 2023, 92% of U.S. Thoroughbred racetracks implemented HISA safety protocols reducing injuries by 15%
Verified3Average Thoroughbred racehorse career length was 22 starts over 3.2 years in 2023 U.S. data
Verified4California Thoroughbred racing saw zero catastrophic injuries during 2023 Santa Anita meet, first in decades
Directional578% of retired U.S. Thoroughbreds transitioned to second careers in 2023, per Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
Single source6Medication violation rate in Thoroughbred racing dropped to 0.45% in 2023 under HISA rules
Verified7UK Thoroughbred equine fatality rate was 0.72 per 1,000 flat race starts in 2022
Verified8In 2023, 1,200 U.S. Thoroughbreds entered retraining programs post-racing, 85% success rate
Verified9Japanese Thoroughbred racing injury rate was 1.2 per 1,000 starts in 2023, lowest in 20 years
Directional1065% of Thoroughbred fractures in racing were stress-related, treatable with surgery per 2023 studies
Single source11Australian Thoroughbred welfare funding reached AUD 25 million in 2023 for aftercare initiatives
Verified12Track surface synthetic vs. dirt reduced injury risk by 28% in U.S. Thoroughbred studies 2023
Verified1398% of U.S. Thoroughbred foals received veterinary wellness checks before sales in 2023
Verified14Hong Kong Jockey Club reported 0.5% Thoroughbred fatality rate in 2022-23, with advanced rehab facilities
Directional15Over 500 Thoroughbreds adopted yearly by New Vocations in 2023, 95% retrained successfully
Single source16EIPH prevalence in racing Thoroughbreds was 85% post-race in 2023 scope studies, managed with lasix where allowed
Verified17Irish Thoroughbred retirement scheme placed 450 horses in 2023, funded by levy on sales
Verified18Biomechanical sensors on 10,000 U.S. Thoroughbreds in 2023 detected early lameness in 22% of cases
VerifiedHorse Welfare and Safety Interpretation
While the path to perfect safety remains a marathon, not a sprint, the statistics show the Thoroughbred industry is finally learning to walk the walk, reducing tragedies on the track and ensuring more horses have a life, and a good one, after the finish line.
Racing Performance
1In 2023, the number of Thoroughbred races run in North America totaled 32,847, down 2% from 2022
Verified2Average field size for U.S. Thoroughbred races in 2023 was 7.2 horses, the lowest since records began in 1990
Verified3Handle per race day in U.S. Thoroughbred racing hit $4.8 million in 2023, up 6% from prior year
Verified4In 2023, 47,392 Thoroughbred starters competed in North American races, a 1.5% decline YoY
Directional5Win percentage for favorites in U.S. Thoroughbred races was 34.2% in 2023, consistent with historical averages
Single source6Average speed index for Thoroughbred dirt races in 2023 was 92 Beyer points, up slightly from 91 in 2022
Verified7Churchill Downs hosted 155 Thoroughbred races in 2023, with purses totaling $28.5 million
Verified8In 2023, 28% of U.S. Thoroughbred races were won by horses aged 3-5 years, the most common age group
Verified9Average purse per race in graded stakes for Thoroughbreds reached $145,000 in 2023
Directional10Belmont Stakes 2023 featured a field of 8 Thoroughbreds, with the winner completing 1.5 miles in 2:28.27
Single source11In 2023, Japanese Thoroughbred racing saw 18,492 races with JRA, average field size 15.3 horses
Verified12UK Thoroughbred flat races in 2023 totaled 5,672, with average prize money £15,200 per race
Verified13Australian Thoroughbred racing in 2022-23 had 4,927 races with over $1 billion in prizemoney
Verified14Preakness Stakes 2023 won by National Treasure in 1:55.35 for 1 3/16 miles on dirt
Directional15In 2023, 12.4% of U.S. Thoroughbred races were turf events, up from 11.8% in 2022
Single source16Hong Kong Thoroughbred racing in 2022-23 featured 645 meetings with average handle HK$1.2 billion per meeting
Verified17Average winning margin in U.S. Thoroughbred sprints (6 furlongs) was 2.1 lengths in 2023
Verified18Del Mar Thoroughbred meet in 2023 had 78 days, 612 races, average daily handle $12 million
Verified19In 2023, female Thoroughbreds won 52% of U.S. races overall, including fillies and mares
DirectionalRacing Performance Interpretation
Despite the North American industry's shrinking fields and fewer runners, its betting handle per day grew by 6%, proving that while the sport may be contracting, the remaining faithful are doubling down on their passion—and their wallets.
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