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The Thoroughbred Industry - The Thoroughbred is a breed of horse whose origins can be traced to three foundation stallions of the mid-18th century. The Thoroughbred is deeply rooted in Kentucky's public image, traditions, and economy, and the breeding, racing, and sale of Thoroughbreds amount to a multi-billion-dollar industry in the state. Central Kentucky holds the world's greatest concentration of Thoroughbred breeding farms, and the Lexington-Fayette County area serves as the world's foremost center for financial, accounting, and legal services for the Thoroughbred.

Kentucky produces more Thoroughbred foals than any other state in the U.S.- over 7,261 were foaled in Kentucky in 1991. Thoroughbreds are known as foals until their first birthday, which, incidentally, is accepted as being January 1 of the year they are foaled for Thoroughbreds born north of the equator, regardless of the actual date of birth. The breeding season is usually timed to produce foals in the spring of the year; the gestation period is 11 months. The animal is known as a weanling after separation from its mother, or broodmare, and a yearling after its first New Year's Day. On the following January 1, it becomes a 2-year old and is eligible to race.