Statistics illustrate growth of West Virginia’s breeding industry

West Virginia has traditionally been a poor cousin among this region’s Thoroughbred breeding states. And often proudly so.

West Virginia’s leading breeders have not often aspired to win the Kentucky Derby. The West Virginia Breeders Classic is their true classic. Winning a race, any race, at Charles Town is often enough to fuel the engine that keeps the local businesses running.

But a new, and far more robust, picture is emerging as the impact of expanded gaming—introduced at Charles Town in the fall of 1997—trickles down to West Virginia’s pastures and breeding sheds.

Anyone who doubts the economic wonders that slots revenue can generate need only peruse the statistics on pages 214 to 225 of this magazine.
For example:

• West Virginia’s foal crop, down to a low of 174 in 1996, climbed to 345 in 2002, a near 100 percent increase, with records still incomplete.

• West Virginia stallions covered 910 mares in 2002—more than triple the figure in 1996.

• In 2002, two West Virginia stallions—Eastover Court and Luftikus—covered at least 75 mares.

• Records also show that far fewer West Virginia mares are leaving the state for breeding. In 1997, only 51 percent of West Virginia-breds were conceived in their home state—by 2002, the number shot up to 69 percent.

• The top four stallions standing in the state this season, each with progeny earnings of over $1 million in 2003, were drawn to West Virginia after launching their careers elsewhere.

• Average earnings per starter have nearly doubled from 1993 to 2003.

• Total earnings by West Vir-ginia-breds have climbed steadily over the past four seasons, reaching a record $6,285,663 in 2003.
  
  One can foresee a time, if slots are not approved in Mary-land and Pennsylvania, when West Virginia grows into the role of wealthy uncle.