Fees Associated with Breeding

The information provided below is based on that provided by Randwick Bloodstock

In an “average year” on the “average farm” your fixed costs will approximately be as follows (inclusive of 10% GST):

  • Dry/Pregnant Mare Agistment – $30.70/day x 183 days = $5,618
  • Foaling Fee – $880
  • Vet Contract for Breeding Season – $1,100
  • Wet Mare Agistment – $33/day x 182 days = $6,006
  • Transport to and from agistment farm for the breeding season – $1,320 ($660 each way)
  • Transport for walk outs – $770 (2 x $385 each)
  • Farrier – $440
  • Vet Other – $770
  • Stud Book Fees – $165
  • TOTAL = $17,069

Once your foal is weaned, then raised and subsequently entered and prepared for a yearling sale you will be up for the following costs:

  • Weaning Fee – $880
  • Weanling Agistment – $30.70/day x 150 days = $4,605
  • Yearling Agistment – $33/day x 145 days = $4,785
  • Sales Preparation – $88/day x 70 days = $6,160
  • Farrier (from birth) – $1,100
  • Vet (including 2 sets of pre-sale x-rays) – $3,080
  • Transport to sale – $660
  • Sales Entry Fee – $1,650
  • Consigner’s Sales Costs – $2,750
  • TOTAL = $25,670

The above doesn’t take into account anything extraordinary occurring such as:

  • It may be necessary at times for the farm to isolate the horse in a stable or yard due to an injury or illness and this will usually incur extra cost.
  • Veterinary care due to illness or injury. Charges can sometimes be more than $10,000 to $15,000, depending on the severity of the illness/injury, it’s longevity and type of surgery (if any) undertaken.
  • If the mare requires more than 2 trips to the breeding shed during the season (sometimes might be 4 or 5 trips) there is an added transport cost.
  • Empty mares may be put under lights and rugged pre-season to help get them cycling earlier and this incurs an extra charge
  • During the breeding season the mare may require extra treatments not included in the standard Vet Contract.
  • Some farms will take 2 sets of x-rays of their young horses.
  • Assuming the foal has correct limb conformation and doesn’t require any extra farrier trimming or veterinary procedures such as periosteal strips or transphyseal bridging.
  • Apart from the consignor’s fixed sales costs (normally pro-rated amongst their vendors), most farms charge their vendors a commission of 2.5%+GST on the selling price.

Other costs that may be incurred by the breeder:

  • Travel expenses to attend sales, stallion parades, inspect your breeding stock – air fares, hotels, hire cars, petrol/diesel, meals, etc.
  • Vet fees – pre-purchase examinations and/or other tests such as blood, scoping, etc.
  • Bloodstock Agent or Consultant – employed to assist in the purchase of any breeding stock. This person may work for a flat fee or a % of the purchase price.
  • Pedigree Analysis – used to help produce the superior athlete.

Considerations

While the above list does not include everything that you should have budgeted for and is a basic idea of the costs of a typical Thoroughbred foal budget, it still outlines the basics of what it would cost to raise a foal for sale. It is imperative that you ensure that you are able to budget appropriately for your broodmare and foal in order to give them both the best quality of life and to ensure that the foal is able to be sold to an appropriate home if that is what you desire. Otherwise you must have budgeted for the raising and training of the foal in your own home and the risks that are associated with owning and breeding horses.

Genetic Testing: Practical Horse Genetics

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