Stallion expenses
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Stallion expenses
I apologize in advance if the information I'm interested in is already somewhere to be found on here or even if this is really a stupid question. Can someone tell me what a stallion owners expenses are ? What I mean by that is once you buy the stud, actually before you buy him, what questions should be asked when approaching different places for him to stand. Is it just a board fee like anything else or what's the deal ?
Bring 'em back tired ; but bring 'em back sound !
It depends on where you stand him - a few years ago, a local (to me) stud farm was charging $40/day for a stallion & $20/day for a mare (just to give you a feel for the difference).
Some stud farms won't stand a stallion unless they get an ownership interest, or at least a certain number of seasons to him.
But I think it depends on where you stand him & the individual farm's "rules" - and negotiating skills.
Some stud farms won't stand a stallion unless they get an ownership interest, or at least a certain number of seasons to him.
But I think it depends on where you stand him & the individual farm's "rules" - and negotiating skills.
A farm will normally ask for "farm rights" aka.. free breedings in addition to a day rate.
you have nomination fees depending on your region as well as if you want to Breeders Cup nominate.
vet fees, normal yearly vaccinations, EVA testing, etc.
some stables use outside management for promotion and pro rate costs if they advertise a roster of stallions, but PR is a huge expense depending on what regional/national advertisements you use.
Plus depending on the region, program, and quality of the stallion you may want to think about supporting him with a herd of his own mares.
you have nomination fees depending on your region as well as if you want to Breeders Cup nominate.
vet fees, normal yearly vaccinations, EVA testing, etc.
some stables use outside management for promotion and pro rate costs if they advertise a roster of stallions, but PR is a huge expense depending on what regional/national advertisements you use.
Plus depending on the region, program, and quality of the stallion you may want to think about supporting him with a herd of his own mares.
Crystal wrote:some stables use outside management for promotion and pro rate costs if they advertise a roster of stallions, but PR is a huge expense depending on what regional/national advertisements you use.
Plus depending on the region, program, and quality of the stallion you may want to think about supporting him with a herd of his own mares.
Crystal brings up a couple good points I left out -
First, if you are talking about retiring a stallion to stud for his first year, and you need to choose between advertising & supporting him with a few good mares, you may want to advertise enough to get his name & strong points out, but focus on supporting him with a few good mares. Also for next year, you may want to donate seasons to a few stallion season auction.
It is an unfortunate fact of life that horses who retire to a region have always had to prove themselves to be good sires before they will attract mare owners. In this economy, that is even more true, so the foals of those few mares will have to help prove him (and you can advertise more, when you've got results to show).
Second, if you are thinking about buying into & moving a known stallion whose foals already have a track record, make sure you check with The Blood Horse, TB Times & all the regional magazines (MidAtlantic TB, Horse of the Del. Valley, etc., etc.) & have an understanding of the costs to advertise & work that into your annual budget.
Good luck!
I want thank you all for the thoughtful suggestions and insight. Being a man of my word we took the plunge last night and aquired the 2009 #2 ranked second crop Pennsylvania stallion Alex's Pal. Boy ; I said I might think about dippin' my toe in the water but even I didn't think it would happen so fast !
Anyway ; not being one to beat anybody over the head I'd appreciate a look see from those of you interested in some nice Pa. bred babies as Alex's Pal will remain right where he is ( Ghost Ridge Farm ) for the forseeable future. 60% winners from starters ain't bad !
Anyway ; not being one to beat anybody over the head I'd appreciate a look see from those of you interested in some nice Pa. bred babies as Alex's Pal will remain right where he is ( Ghost Ridge Farm ) for the forseeable future. 60% winners from starters ain't bad !
Bring 'em back tired ; but bring 'em back sound !
Hey Joltman,
All things considered I suppose I'd have to say we're pleasantly surprised with the way things are turning out. I mean no sooner had the ink dried on the check when we bought him and he got himself a couple of graded stakes performers, non graded stakes winners, was the leading Pa. sire of juvenile Pa. breds, top 2 or 3 Second & third crop Pa. sire, was always in the top 20 in Pa. despite minimal foals to race, etc ... On the flip side I should have listened to the Ragin' Cajun when he said " It's the economy stupid " ! But, then again, that's a mighty crowded boat that I'm in so we deal with it.
We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay with Doc Solomon @ Pin Oak Lane Farm. He & his entire staff are some of the most professional people I've ever had the pleasure of doing business with. But when all was said & done we decided to bring him home along with some of our mares.
I'll appreciate that he'll only be 1/2 hr. away from home instead of an 8 hr. round trip to Pa. each time & I think it will work out well down the road.
Thanks for asking !
Mike
All things considered I suppose I'd have to say we're pleasantly surprised with the way things are turning out. I mean no sooner had the ink dried on the check when we bought him and he got himself a couple of graded stakes performers, non graded stakes winners, was the leading Pa. sire of juvenile Pa. breds, top 2 or 3 Second & third crop Pa. sire, was always in the top 20 in Pa. despite minimal foals to race, etc ... On the flip side I should have listened to the Ragin' Cajun when he said " It's the economy stupid " ! But, then again, that's a mighty crowded boat that I'm in so we deal with it.
We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay with Doc Solomon @ Pin Oak Lane Farm. He & his entire staff are some of the most professional people I've ever had the pleasure of doing business with. But when all was said & done we decided to bring him home along with some of our mares.
I'll appreciate that he'll only be 1/2 hr. away from home instead of an 8 hr. round trip to Pa. each time & I think it will work out well down the road.
Thanks for asking !
Mike
Bring 'em back tired ; but bring 'em back sound !
