AMARILLO, Texas (AP) — A federal judge has signed an order that directs the nation’s pre-eminent quarter horse organization to begin allowing cloned animals to be added to its prestigious registry.
Judge Mary Lou Robinson signed the order Thursday, giving the American Quarter Horse Association just under 30 days to add cloned horses, and their offspring, to its registry.
The registry adds financial value to listed animals.
Two Texas ranchers had successfully sued the 280,000-member association, saying it was operating a monopoly by not allowing cloned horses. Jurors sided with the ranchers last month, ruling the association was violating antitrust laws, but the association — which has vowed to appeal — wasn’t immediately ordered to change its policy.
The ruling filed Thursday also orders the association to pay nearly $900,000 in legal fees.