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Things to know about the Racing Industry

What is a Bloodstock Agent

A bloodstock agent is a professional who buys, sells, and advises on racehorses and breeding stock—typically Thoroughbreds or Standardbreds—on behalf of clients.

Here’s what they do in more detail:

Main Responsibilities

  1. Buying Horses:

    • Attend auctions (like Keeneland, Tattersalls, or Magic Millions) or private sales.

    • Evaluate a horse’s pedigree, conformation, and potential for racing or breeding.

    • Bid or negotiate on behalf of clients.

  2. Selling Horses:

    • Help owners sell horses, often by arranging their entry into auctions or private deals.

    • Advise on pricing, marketing, and timing.

  3. Advising Clients:

    • Give expert guidance on breeding decisions, such as which stallion to breed a mare to.

    • Provide insights on market trends and investment potential.

    • Help build or manage a client’s racing or breeding portfolio.

  4. Inspections and Valuations:

    • Assess young horses (yearlings, weanlings) and breeding stock for quality and soundness.

    • Sometimes coordinate with veterinarians for pre-purchase exams.

How much does it cost to have a horse in training

The cost of having a Thoroughbred racehorse in training varies widely depending on where you are, the trainer’s reputation, and the level of racing, but here’s a realistic breakdown:

United States

  • Daily training rate: $850–$135 per day at mid-level tracks; up to $200/day at top-tier trainers (e.g., New York, Kentucky, California).

Additional costs:

  • Farrier (shoeing) $150–$250 every 4–6 weeks

  • Veterinary care $200–$3,000 per month (varies a lot)

  • Feed & bedding Often included in daily rate

  • Racing expenses $100–$2,000 per race

  • Transportation (to race tracks/farms) $1500–$2,500 per trip (e.g. a trip from Kentucky to Florida may cost around $1,500)

  • Insurance (optional) 3–5% of insured value per year

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United Kingdom / Ireland

  • Training fees: £50–£80 per day.

  • Irish training fees: €50-€90 per day.

How much Does it Cost to have a Yearling/Weanling/Layup Horse at a Farm

The “off-track” costs (keeping a yearling, weanling, broodmare, or resting racehorse at a farm) are usually much lower than training costs, but they still add up. Prices vary by region and farm quality, but here’s a realistic breakdown for the U.S. market (with notes for UK & Australia too):

United States

Weanling / Yearling at a Farm

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  • Board (pasture or stall) $500–$1,200 Pasture board on smaller farms is cheaper; stall board or top prep farms for sales are pricier.

  • Feed & bedding Often included.

  • Farrier $40–$100 Trim every 4–6 weeks.

  • Veterinary care & deworming $50–$150 Routine shots, worming, growth monitoring.

  • Sales prep (if applicable) $50-$70 per day for yearlings being groomed and conditioned for auction.

 

Layup (Resting) Horse

This covers horses recovering from injury, resting between races, or turned out for seasonal breaks.

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  • Basic pasture layup $800–$1,500 Minimal handling, regular checks.

  • Rehab / light exercise $1,500–$3,000 Includes hand-walking, aqua treadmill, etc.

  • Full-service rehab center $3,000–$5,000 Top-tier facilities with therapies, vet oversight.

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United Kingdom / Ireland

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  • Weanling/Yearling (grass) £400–£700

  • Sales prep£1,000–£1,500

  • Layup£600–£1,200

How do first get into thoroughbred racing

. Clarify Your Goals

Ask yourself:

  • Do you want a racehorse (in training or ready to race)?

  • A young horse (weanling/yearling) to break and send into training

  • A broodmare to set up a breeding operation

Each goal affects cost, risk, and management. Get in touch with us to figure out what is the best option for you.

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Buying a horse of racing age privately or through a sale

  • Immediate action: You can race soon after purchase.

  • Known ability: You can watch workout videos, time performances, or even see race replays.

  • Reduced guesswork: Compared to buying a yearling, you see how the horse moves, behaves, and handles training.

  • Lower risk for beginners: You’re buying a known quantity which especially with two-year-old purchases may have significant upside.

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Buying Yearling or Weanling

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It’s also very different from buying a horse already in training. It is more of a long-term, higher risk, but potentially higher reward option. Here’s a complete, practical guide:

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Advantages

  • Lower entry cost: Usually cheaper than proven racehorses.

  • High upside: If the horse develops well, it could be worth many times its purchase price.

  • Hands-on development: You control how it’s raised and trained.

  • Fun & educational: You get to watch the horse mature and learn the process.

Disadvantages

  • Higher risk: Horses can get injured, fail to train, or simply lack racing ability.

  • Longer wait: You’ll pay for 1–2 years of care before seeing a race.

  • More decisions: Farm, breaking, and training choices all affect outcome.

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