KRS § 230.403 Legislative findings -- Registrar of Thoroughbreds -- Duties and restrictions -- Administrative regulations -- Penalty. (Effective July 15, 2026)

230.403 Legislative findings -- Registrar of Thoroughbreds -- Duties and restrictions -- Administrative regulations -- Penalty. (Effective July 15, 2026) (1) The General Assembly finds and declares that: (a) The Commonwealth of Kentucky is internationally recognized as the preeminent center of the Thoroughbred horse industry, serving as the breeding, sales, and racing capital of the world; (b) The economic impact of the Thoroughbred industry in Kentucky generates billions of dollars annually, supports tens of thousands of jobs, and sustains a complex ecosystem of breeders, farms, veterinarians, sales companies, and racetracks; (c) The integrity, accuracy, and reliability of pedigree records are foundational to the valuation, breeding, and sale of Thoroughbred horses, directly influencing market confidence and investment in the industry; (d) A registrar of Thoroughbred horses ensures the maintenance of accurate lineage records, ownership documentation, and breeding data necessary to preserve the integrity of the breed; (e) A registrar operating with transparency, accountability, and collaboration with breeders and industry stakeholders builds trust and confidence in the recordkeeping; (f) Kentucky has a compelling state interest in ensuring that any registrar of Thoroughbred horses operates in a manner that promotes fairness, competition, and long-term sustainability within the industry; (g) A registrar framework within Kentucky would further solidify the Commonwealth’s role as the global standard-setter for Thoroughbred breeding, registration, and innovation; and (h) Coordination between a registrar, breeders, and relevant regulatory or industry bodies would provide a structured mechanism for evaluating emerging issues, including breeding limits, genetic diversity, and industry best practices. (2) For purposes of this chapter, a registrar of Thoroughbreds shall: (a) 1. Not restrict the number of mares that can be bred to a stallion or otherwise refuse to register any foal based upon the number of mares bred to the stallion of the foal submitted for registration, unless the limitations have first been adopted and implemented by unanimous consent of a vote of the representatives of the members of the International Stud Book Committee; or 2. Not refuse to register any foal of a mare that is or seeks to be: a. Bred in the Commonwealth of Kentucky; b. Residing in the Commonwealth of Kentucky; or c. Foaling in the Commonwealth of Kentucky; if the foal would otherwise meet the registration requirements of the Jockey Club but for the limitation set forth in subparagraph 1. of this paragraph and the limitations have not been adopted and implemented by the International Stud Book Committee; and (b) Consent to the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. (3) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, if any registrar fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter, the corporation shall select and utilize an entity to serve as the registrar of Kentucky Thoroughbreds. (4) The corporation may promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to implement this section, if it is required by subsection (3) of this section to designate an entity to serve as the registrar of Kentucky Thoroughbreds. (5) Any violation of subsection (2)(a) of this section shall be considered an unlawful trade practice under KRS Chapters 365 and 367. (6) Notwithstanding subsection (5) of this section, a party aggrieved by a registrar's action in violation of subsection (2)(a) of this section shall have the right to seek any applicable remedy, in law or in equity, against the registrar, as well as be entitled to recover treble damages plus any actual damages sustained as a result of the registrar's actions. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Created 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 184, sec. 45, effective July 15, 2026.