Louisiana Bred Program Tops North America in Percentage Increase in Numbers of Mares Bred in 2025
Louisiana Bred Program Tops North America in Percentage Increase in Numbers of Mares Bred in 2025
(New Orleans, La.) - Louisiana remains a notable state for thoroughbred breeding, with its horses competing for significant purse money, and the industry is supported by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association breeders incentive awards.
According to the Jockey Club, Louisiana led in the increased percentage number of thoroughbred mares bred in 2025 and was the only state to show an increase over 2024. The increase was nearly 50% year over year. It was the only state that showed an increase in mares bred. All other North American numbers showed decreases with Louisiana a top five state for 989 mares bred to 51 stallions, an increase over 44 reported in 2024. This number was up dramatically from the 662 mares bred in 2024.
"It's a reflection of how good our Louisiana program has gotten,” stated Nathan Granger, Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association board member. “Lucrative breeders’ awards for in-state races, out-of-state races, even out-of-country races along with the quality of mares and stallions in Louisiana are making a difference.”
“We're raising good foundation horses for racing,” said Granger. “Our horsemen take care of them and it’s a reflection of the breeders’ efforts. When you look at the data, that's a tremendous increase. That is the result of our breeder’s incentive awards, which rewards the breeders.”
Granger also commented on the racing results of Louisiana bred horses on the world stage that resulted in more out of state mares moving to Louisiana, Free Like a Girl, Touchuponastar, and Smoken Wicked reaching the millionaire ranks for Louisiana breds increased interest in the program.
“There are really high-quality stallions that are coming into the state,” Continued Granger. “We had several outside mares this year that bred to Aurelius-Maximus, Coal Front, and more. We saw a lot of out of state plates on vans coming into the farms to breed to many of the stallions along with requests from people to board their mares to get them Louisiana bred program.”
“The quality of the horses being bred in Louisiana, the quality of trainers that we have, and the programs that we have keep getting better, said Granger. “It takes a lot to bring a horse to the top. It takes the breeder, owner, trainer, jockey to have a horse reach their potential. I believe we have all of that and more.”
Louisiana's racing and breeding industry plays an important role in the state's economic well-being and contributes a significant source of state revenue. The combined impact of both racing and breeding and their related industries generates over $2 billion annually. Louisiana has added a card of state bred stakes days at every track in the state with four championship days. Delta Downs has Louisiana Premier Night in February, Evangeline Downs features Louisiana Legends Night, Louisiana Downs conducts Louisiana Cup Day in August and The Fair Grounds hosts Louisiana Champions Day in December. a card of stakes races.
Increase in purses from sports betting, video poker and fixed odd wagering are contributing to the Louisiana bred race program
For more information, go to LouisianaBred.com.