This information about thoroughbred foal crops is from the April 27, 2007 New York Times. In 2004, 34,642 thoroughbred foals were registered. Kentucky produced 28.3% of that foal crop with 9,815 foals. The other big producing states were Florida (12.9%), California (10.9%), New York (5.8%), Louisiana (5.5%) and Texas (5.0%). Ohio produced 1.4% of the foals and New Mexico, where Violet's daddy now lives, produced 2.3%. In 2005, 23,674 of the yearlings from that 2004 crop went into race training. Yearling auctions accounted for 29% of the 2004 registered foal crop sales. There were 1,952 weanlings sold in 2004, as compared to 10,088 yearlings sold in 2005. In 2006, when they were 2, many of them began their race careers. 10,390 from the 2004 foal crop raced an average of 3.2 times, during their second year. And now in 2007, 20 of that initial crop of 34,642 registered foals were successful nominees for the Derby. They chose the top 20 money earners from graded stakes races. The entrance and start fees for the Derby total $50,000 with an additional $200,000 nomination fee for the Triple Crown. Entrance fees are applied toward the prize money for the top four finishers. The nations best stakes races are graded from I through III.
So, what does this mean for Violet? Violet was born in Florida on March 8, 2003 -- International Women's Day! I *think* she passed through an auction at one point because an envelope that came with her birth certificate and Coggins Test is from the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company. Her daddy, Groomstick, was in his last year as a Florida stallion. Her owner was tentatively calling her Watch For Me which is an adorable name and I really like it, but my cousin, Jane, and I chose Velvet Tenderness instead. Out of almost 35,000 foals born that year, Violet was my magic one -- getting ready to come to me! She was going to be someone's hunter prospect, but now she's meant to be my pampered backyard pony.