The United Kingdom stands as the premier hub for thoroughbred racing globally, making it no surprise that some of the finest stud farms are situated here. Until recently, the National Stud was government-operated; however, since 2006, it has been owned by the Jockey Club and is located in Newmarket. In Ireland, the Irish National Stud, located in Tully, County Kildare, has been under government ownership since 1946.
Newmarket, recognised as the heart of thoroughbred breeding in the UK, hosts the largest and most significant stud farms in the country. Most of these farms are privately owned, including the Royal Stud in Sandringham, Norfolk, which was previously owned by Queen Elizabeth II, an accomplished horse breeder.
Alongside the major stud farms, there are approximately 3,000 smaller thoroughbred breeders throughout the UK. These breeders typically manage one or two thoroughbreds, all of which are registered as racehorses in the Wetherby stud book.
History of TBA
In the aftermath of World War I, Thoroughbred breeders required national assistance to address challenges related to breeding pedigree horses. This led to the establishment of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA), which held its inaugural meeting on September 3, 1917. The council comprised 18 members, with Lord D’Abernon appointed as chairman. Since its inception, the TBA has focused on supporting breeders in the Thoroughbred industry and advocating for their interests at various levels, including nationally.
In 1926, a government tax was imposed on all forms of betting, which the TBA and The Jockey Club perceived as a threat to the industry. Their vigorous protests resulted in the repeal of the betting tax in 1929. Queen Elizabeth II officially became the patron of the TBA in 1954. In 1969, the Equine Fertility Unit was established to study mare fertility and pregnancies, funded in part by a tax on horse sales introduced by the TBA.
In 1977, following an outbreak of infectious metritis among horses, the TBA implemented its first codes of practice, which were later expanded to address other diseases. Collaborating with the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), the TBA developed a unified set of regulations applicable to all breeders, making the UK the first country to adopt these measures to mitigate disease spread among Thoroughbreds.
In 1999, the TBA advocated for breeders' interests by facilitating payments under the Common Agricultural Policy and simplifying the movement of horses between England, France, and Ireland. In 2015, responding to a decline in the popularity of UK stayers as audiences favoured faster, short-distance horses, the TBA commissioned a report that ultimately led to more opportunities for middle- and long-distance bred horses, including an expanded stayer program and the introduction of Weatherby’s Hamilton Stayers Million.
Support for breeders
TBA members have access to many benefits, offers and support from specialists in various fields affiliated with the Association.
Thus, in connection with the UK's exit from the European Union, the release of a Brexit guide for the British Thoroughbred industry has become relevant. This concerns auction houses Goff's and Tattersalls, the export and import of horses, purchases and sales after Brexit.
Breeders are provided with all the necessary basic information and documentation, from stud rules and breeding guidelines, medication recommendations, codes of practice, retraining of racehorses, to the terms of sale of horses at Goff's and Tattersalls.
TAB provides advice and documentation to employers on pensions, health and safety, hiring migrants, and all the necessary information on employment law.
There is a 24-hour hotline for all current and former workers in the industry, where you can contact them for questions about retraining, accidents and injuries, get financial advice and advice on healthy eating, and help with addiction and personal problems. Of course, all questions are resolved confidentially.
TBA members have the right to free entry to the racetrack where the horse they have bred runs, no matter if it belongs to another owner.
Since 2019, the TBA has been cooperating with the insurance company Lycetts, whose specialisation is horse insurance.
The experts involved can consult TBA members on tax issues and provide advice on legal issues free of charge.
The industry has the Great British Bonus (GBB), a prize program: owners and breeders of winning mares can win up to £20,000.
TBA organises events for its members: awards and informal meetings, races and conferences, regional days and training, giving them preferences. For example, one of them, at the British Racing School in Newmarket, will host the next annual three-day TBA Stud Farming Course in December 2024, costing £582, while for TBA members the course will cost £450.
Problems of the industry
In 2023, PricewaterhouseCoopers, an international audit and consulting firm, delivered a report on the industry's conditions at the request of TBA. Analysing profit trends since 2014, the firm determined that the breeding business in the country is experiencing instability.
In 2017, 66% of the surveyed breeders reported operating at a loss. This concerning trend of increasing losses persists. The number of farms in the sector that housed one or two breeding mares declined from 3,764 in 2009 to just 2,426 in 2023, resulting in the closure of 1,338 farms.
This decline is contributing to a reduction in the number of thoroughbreds bred in the UK, which negatively impacts horse racing and the nation's standing as a global racing leader.
However, the introduction of the Great British Bonus (GBB) program has led to a doubling of mare prices at sales. Smart initiatives like this can help boost horse prices and enhance breeder profits.