As a follow-up to a rule revision last August that added provisions for field inspections, The Jockey Club, during the last week of December, sent two teams of representatives to several farms in six states to examine Thoroughbred broodmares with early 2005 breeding or foaling dates.
 
The rule change, which appears in Section V of Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book, was implemented by The Jockey Club’s Board of Stewards due to the increasing number of Thoroughbred foals reported as being born in the first several days of January and a concern as to whether these foaling dates were being accurately reported.
 
“Those who choose to breed mares early may risk having foals born prior to January 1,” explained Alan Marzelli, president of The Jockey Club.

Marzelli also said that The Jockey Club will continue with the field inspections in 2006.

The Jockey Club recommends that owners and breeders consult the online rules book, which is available at www.jockeyclub.com/registry.asp?section=3 to access the Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book