By Suzi Pritchard Jones
In response to Maggie Sweet's powerful letter to the TDN–February 2, 2026, I would like to add my support–and my urgency.
The Jockey Club needs a paradigm shift, and so do Thoroughbred owners and breeders. The future of our sport depends on it.
Think of a stunning model–poised, admired, photographed from every angle. Now imagine that same model with a mouth full of rotten teeth. No matter how beautiful the rest of her may be, the illusion collapses the moment she smiles. Perception changes instantly. The image is damaged, and with it, her career.
That is the racing industry when aftercare is neglected.
Our sport is magnificent in its athleticism, tradition, and heart. But when the public sees horses without safe and dignified futures, the image fractures. We are forced to keep our “mouth closed,” hoping no one looks too closely. And when they do, the damage is swift and lasting.
Aftercare is not a side issue. It is not charity. It is the moral and reputational dental care of this industry–basic, necessary maintenance that preserves both life and image. If we had built its cost into the structure of our business from the beginning, we would not now be scrambling to defend our integrity.
Do we really want to watch the racing and breeding industries suffer irreversible harm because we failed to budget for responsibility?
It is time to act. The Jockey Club has made meaningful progress, but incremental steps are no longer enough. This is the moment for leadership–visible, collaborative, and industry-wide. Owners, breeders, tracks, and registries must work together to create sustainable, mandatory support for aftercare.
A paradigm shift is not optional anymore. It is the price of preserving the sport we love.
Suzi Pritchard-Jones is the founder of the Byerley & Godolphin Conservation.
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