Cash receipts from sales of horses and stud fees in Kentucky again made equines the top agriculture product in 2008, according to state agriculture commissioner Richie Farmer.
The 2008 farm gate cash receipts numbers were announced Aug. 27 by the Kentucky office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The $4.84 billion total surpassed the previous record of $4.52 billion set in 2007.
–TheHorse.com, 2009
Kentucky, which annually produces more registered foals than any other state, yielded a record number of registered foals in 2006, 10,376, (which was 30.5% of the U.S. Crop) and exceeded its previous high-water mark of 10,118 registered foals in 2000.
– The Jockey Club, 2008
Fayette County is home to two of the largest thoroughbred horse sale agencies in the world
– Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton.
In 2006 and 2007 they collectively had more than $1.1 billion dollars in thoroughbred sales.
– Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton
In 2006, Keeneland sold $804.4 million in thoroughbreds.
Today, Lexington is the horse capital of the world. This title is proudly displayed everywhere, from government stationary to local business slogans.
We have this honor because world-renowned horse farms, bloodstock companies, veterinary clinics, sales agencies, and racecourses are located here.
– The Lane Report, “Not Just a Business Center, June 27, 2006.
Lexington-Fayette County has over 200 horse farms.
– KY Horse Farm Manager’s Directory, 2004
In 2002, Fayette County’s veterinary payroll was $17.1 million.
– The Lane Report, Market Review, 2007-2008
The KY thoroughbred industry itself generates over $4 billion dollars each year, and it generates 80,000-100,000 direct and indirect jobs.
–KEEP, 2007
