The North American foal crop fell 8.3% in 2023, yet the average auction price for a yearling rose to $105,400. This article examines the industry's economic footprint, from a $5.8 billion U.S. GDP contribution to the safety metrics shaping its future.
Key Takeaways
- North American Thoroughbred foal crop in 2023 was 15,237 registered foals, down 8.3% from 2022 peak
- In 2022, the U.S. Thoroughbred industry contributed $5.8 billion to the national GDP through direct, indirect, and induced effects
- Thoroughbred industry employed 1.74 million people in the U.S. in 2022 across racing, breeding, and related sectors
- U.S. Thoroughbred fatality rate in racing was 1.66 per 1,000 starts in 2022, per Jockey Club data
- In 2023, the number of Thoroughbred races run in North America totaled 32,847, down 2% from 2022
Thoroughbred racing delivered strong field sizes and steady participation, highlighting ongoing industry resilience.
Related reading
01 · Category
Breeding and Sales18 stats
01
North American Thoroughbred foal crop in 2023 was 15,237 registered foals, down 8.3% from 2022 peak
02
Keeneland September Yearling Sale 2023 grossed $406.3 million for 2,728 Thoroughbreds sold, average $148,742
03
Fasig-Tipton November Breeding Stock Sale 2023 sold 847 Thoroughbreds for $115.2 million, RNA 22%
04
In 2023, 38% of North American Thoroughbred foals were by sires in their first or second crop
05
OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training 2023 topped $45.9 million for 1,185 Thoroughbreds, average $38,730
06
European Thoroughbred yearling sales in 2023 totaled €1.1 billion, led by Arqana with €156 million
07
U.S. Thoroughbred mare books in 2023 averaged 45 foalings per top 100 mares, up from 42 in 2022
08
Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale 2023 grossed £144.5 million for 547 Thoroughbreds, average £264,073
09
In 2023, 4,128 Thoroughbred weanlings sold at U.S. auctions for $234.6 million, average $56,823
10
Japanese Thoroughbred mare fertility rate was 92.3% in 2023, producing 7,892 foals
11
Gulfstream 2-Year-Old Sale 2023 sold 112 Thoroughbreds for $19.8 million, average $176,786
12
Average Thoroughbred yearling price at U.S. sales rose to $105,400in 2023 from $98,200 in 2022
13
Irish Thoroughbred foal registrations hit 6,847 in 2023, down 4% YoY
14
Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Spring Sale 2023 grossed $92.4 million for 1,104 yearlings, average $83,700
15
In 2023, 22 stallions covered 200+ mares in North America, led by Into Mischief with 304
16
Australian Thoroughbred yearling sales 2022-23 totaled AUD 413 million for 5,492 lots
17
UK National Hunt Thoroughbred foal crop was 5,234 in 2023, stable from prior year
18
Barretts Equine Ltd. Select Yearling Sale 2023 sold 142 Thoroughbreds for $4.6 million, avg $32,394
Interpretation
Breeding 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.
02 · Category
Economic Impact20 stats
01
In 2022, the U.S. Thoroughbred industry contributed $5.8 billion to the national GDP through direct, indirect, and induced effects
02
The Thoroughbred racing sector generated $1.2 billion in taxes for federal, state, and local governments in 2022 across the U.S.
03
In 2023, Thoroughbred racing supported 256,000 jobs nationwide in the U.S., with wages totaling $4.9 billion
04
Global Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry was valued at $42 billion in 2022, led by markets in the U.S., UK, Japan, and Australia
05
In Kentucky, the Thoroughbred industry accounted for 1.9% of the state's GDP in 2022, generating $6.4 billion in total economic output
06
New York Thoroughbred racing contributed $4.2 billion to the economy in 2022, including $1.1 billion in wages and benefits
07
The U.S. Thoroughbred sales market averaged $384,272per horse sold at auction in 2023, up 12% from 2022
08
Pari-mutuel handle for U.S. Thoroughbred racing reached $11.2 billion in 2023, a 4.5% increase year-over-year
09
Florida's Thoroughbred industry generated $2.1 billion in economic impact in 2022, supporting 18,000 jobs
10
In 2022, the Australian Thoroughbred racing industry contributed AUD 5.6 billion to GDP, with wagering turnover at AUD 7.8 billion
11
The 2023 Kentucky Derby Week generated $287 million in direct spending for Louisville, with total economic impact exceeding $400 million
12
U.S. Thoroughbred breeding farms produced $1.8 billion in farm gate revenue in 2022 from horse sales and services
13
British Horseracing generated £4.7 billion in economic impact in 2022, including £1.7 billion from tourism
14
Japanese Thoroughbred racing industry's JRA contributions reached ¥3.4 trillion in economic value in FY2022
15
California Thoroughbred racing provided $1.5 billion in annual economic benefits, including $500 million in state taxes in 2022
16
In 2023, U.S. Thoroughbred industry purse money totaled $1.6 billion, distributed across 30,000+ races
17
Dubai World Cup night generated $250 million in economic impact for UAE in 2023, driven by Thoroughbred racing
18
Irish Thoroughbred industry exported €1.2 billion in bloodstock in 2022, contributing 0.5% to national GDP
19
Saudi Cup 2023 purse of $20 million boosted local economy by $100 million in tourism and spending
20
Ontario Thoroughbred racing generated CAD 1.8 billion in economic activity in 2022, supporting 12,000 jobs
Interpretation
Economic 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.
03 · Category
Employment and Jobs18 stats
01
Thoroughbred industry employed 1.74 million people in the U.S. in 2022 across racing, breeding, and related sectors
02
Kentucky Thoroughbred sector supported 58,500 direct jobs in 2023, with average wage $45,200annually
03
U.S. racetrack employment totaled 26,000 full-time equivalents in 2023, including backstretch workers
04
Globally, Thoroughbred racing employed 300,000 direct workers in 2022, per IFHA estimates
05
Florida Thoroughbred farms and training centers employed 14,200 people in 2022, generating $650 million in wages
06
Jockeys numbered 1,200 active in U.S. Thoroughbred racing in 2023, with top earners averaging $2.5 million
07
British Thoroughbred industry sustained 85,000 jobs in 2022, 40% in rural areas
08
In 2023, 12,500 trainers were licensed for Thoroughbred racing in North America
09
Australian Thoroughbred racing supported 120,000 jobs in 2022-23, including wagering sector
10
New York Thoroughbred racing employed 22,000 workers in 2022, with $1.1 billion in payroll
11
Veterinarians in U.S. Thoroughbred industry numbered 4,500 in 2023, specializing in equine medicine
12
Farriers servicing Thoroughbreds totaled 8,000 nationwide in 2022, per farrier associations
13
California Thoroughbred employment reached 25,000 jobs in 2023, focused on Southern CA tracks
14
Exercise riders and grooms comprised 40% of racetrack workforce, about 10,400 in U.S. 2023
15
Irish Thoroughbred sector employed 28,000 full-time equivalents in 2022, 70% in breeding
16
Pari-mutuel clerks and mutuel tellers numbered 5,200 in U.S. Thoroughbred venues in 2023
17
Ontario racing industry jobs totaled 9,500 in 2022, with training programs for 1,200 apprentices
18
Women held 45% of Thoroughbred industry jobs in U.S. in 2023, up from 38% in 2018
Interpretation
Employment 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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Horse Welfare and Safety18 stats
01
U.S. Thoroughbred fatality rate in racing was 1.66 per 1,000 starts in 2022, per Jockey Club data
02
In 2023, 92% of U.S. Thoroughbred racetracks implemented HISA safety protocols reducing injuries by 15%
03
Average Thoroughbred racehorse career length was 22 starts over 3.2 years in 2023 U.S. data
04
California Thoroughbred racing saw zero catastrophic injuries during 2023 Santa Anita meet, first in decades
05
78% of retired U.S. Thoroughbreds transitioned to second careers in 2023, per Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
06
Medication violation rate in Thoroughbred racing dropped to 0.45% in 2023 under HISA rules
07
UK Thoroughbred equine fatality rate was 0.72 per 1,000 flat race starts in 2022
08
In 2023, 1,200 U.S. Thoroughbreds entered retraining programs post-racing, 85% success rate
09
Japanese Thoroughbred racing injury rate was 1.2 per 1,000 starts in 2023, lowest in 20 years
10
65% of Thoroughbred fractures in racing were stress-related, treatable with surgery per 2023 studies
11
Australian Thoroughbred welfare funding reached AUD 25 million in 2023 for aftercare initiatives
12
Track surface synthetic vs. dirt reduced injury risk by 28% in U.S. Thoroughbred studies 2023
13
98% of U.S. Thoroughbred foals received veterinary wellness checks before sales in 2023
14
Hong Kong Jockey Club reported 0.5% Thoroughbred fatality rate in 2022-23, with advanced rehab facilities
15
Over 500 Thoroughbreds adopted yearly by New Vocations in 2023, 95% retrained successfully
16
EIPH prevalence in racing Thoroughbreds was 85% post-race in 2023 scope studies, managed with lasix where allowed
17
Irish Thoroughbred retirement scheme placed 450 horses in 2023, funded by levy on sales
18
Biomechanical sensors on 10,000 U.S. Thoroughbreds in 2023 detected early lameness in 22% of cases
Interpretation
Horse 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.
05 · Category
Racing Performance19 stats
01
In 2023, the number of Thoroughbred races run in North America totaled 32,847, down 2% from 2022
02
Average field size for U.S. Thoroughbred races in 2023 was 7.2 horses, the lowest since records began in 1990
03
Handle per race day in U.S. Thoroughbred racing hit $4.8 million in 2023, up 6% from prior year
04
In 2023, 47,392 Thoroughbred starters competed in North American races, a 1.5% decline YoY
05
Win percentage for favorites in U.S. Thoroughbred races was 34.2% in 2023, consistent with historical averages
06
Average speed index for Thoroughbred dirt races in 2023 was 92 Beyer points, up slightly from 91 in 2022
07
Churchill Downs hosted 155 Thoroughbred races in 2023, with purses totaling $28.5 million
08
In 2023, 28% of U.S. Thoroughbred races were won by horses aged 3-5 years, the most common age group
09
Average purse per race in graded stakes for Thoroughbreds reached $145,000in 2023
10
Belmont Stakes 2023 featured a field of 8 Thoroughbreds, with the winner completing 1.5 miles in 2:28.27
11
In 2023, Japanese Thoroughbred racing saw 18,492 races with JRA, average field size 15.3 horses
12
UK Thoroughbred flat races in 2023 totaled 5,672, with average prize money £15,200 per race
13
Australian Thoroughbred racing in 2022-23 had 4,927 races with over $1 billion in prizemoney
14
Preakness Stakes 2023 won by National Treasure in 1:55.35 for 1 3/16 miles on dirt
15
In 2023, 12.4% of U.S. Thoroughbred races were turf events, up from 11.8% in 2022
16
Hong Kong Thoroughbred racing in 2022-23 featured 645 meetings with average handle HK$1.2 billion per meeting
17
Average winning margin in U.S. Thoroughbred sprints (6 furlongs) was 2.1 lengths in 2023
18
Del Mar Thoroughbred meet in 2023 had 78 days, 612 races, average daily handle $12 million
19
In 2023, female Thoroughbreds won 52% of U.S. races overall, including fillies and mares
Interpretation
Racing 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.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Sophie Moreland. (2026, February 13). Thoroughbred Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/thoroughbred-industry-statistics
MLA
Sophie Moreland. "Thoroughbred Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/thoroughbred-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Sophie Moreland. 2026. "Thoroughbred Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/thoroughbred-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
48 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level