How to Buy a Racehorse
There is no denying the excitement of seeing a horse you own speed down the track to victory. Determine just how much you can pay before making the decision to buy a racehorse. Decide if you prefer sole ownership or if you are prepared to collaborate with partners. Contact a trainer or bloodstock agent for knowledgeable guidance so they can guide you through the available horses. Be prepared to acquire through auctions, claiming races, or private purchases. Now we’re off to the races!
Method 1: Keeping Ownership Costs Under Control
- Make a budget for purchases and maintenance. A racehorse can be purchased for $1,000 or even for $100,000 or more. Analyze your money and decide how much you can afford to spend. Then, include a sum for yearly upkeep and training in that budget. The annual cost of boarding, training, medical care, and other expenses should be around $25,000.
- If you want more control, become a sole owner. Here, you use your own money to acquire a single horse outright. You will receive all of the benefits of winning, but you will also assume all of the investment’s dangers. This is a wonderful choice for horse owners wishing to buy a horse in order to learn about ownership.
- To purchase with less risk, use a syndicate. Several persons split the costs and rights to one or more horses under this style of ownership. Before committing to anything, it is crucial that you fully comprehend the rules that the majority of syndicates work by. In many of these partnerships, the management of the syndicate chooses the trainer and everything else a horse needs to succeed. Investment durations typically range from three to five years in length rather than being perpetual. You’ll probably receive monthly bills for your share of the horse’s maintenance during that time. A syndicate in another form is corporate ownership. Here, a certain business or brand is promoted using a horse.
- Consult your tax professional. Many people who own horses decide to use their acquisition as the foundation for a limited liability corporation. They may then organize their taxes based on their earnings and losses thanks to this. Before making a purchase, have a meeting with your tax adviser to go over how it can affect your total tax profile and to develop a plan.
Method 2: Purchasing a Racehorse
- Engage a bloodstock agent. This individual will assist you in the buying process by discussing your needs and preferences with you. They will then look for horses that suit your requirements and assist you in making the final purchase. For their services, they often demand a fee of around 5% of the horse’s buying price. For someone who is just getting started with horse ownership, working with an agent is a particularly wise choice. Attend your regional horse auctions and speak with other owners to find a bloodstock agent. Alternatively, search online directories or industry journals for contact details.
- Decide on your target buying age. Yearlings, or horses that are one year old, are the most popular choice among buyers. They may still grow a lot and are typically less expensive to purchase. Nevertheless, it’s possible that this makes your investment even more of a hazard. Others engage in “pinhooking,” when they purchase yearlings with the intention of reselling them for a profit after a year.
- Buy a racehorse privately. These kinds of deals frequently come about as a consequence of networking between interested sellers and possible buyers. As a result, if you’re looking for a horse, keep an eye out for opportunities and spread the word at nearby horse barns and breeding operations. When buying a horse one-on-one, the price may be subject to some negotiation, and you may find out a lot about the horse’s history. However, you must be certain that you believe the information given and the seller. Avoid buying without obtaining a written and conclusive “Bill of Sale.” All of the terms of the transaction, including any health warranties, should be outlined in this contract. Local regulations frequently demand that sellers provide buyers with a document of this kind. Ask the seller as many questions as you want before finalizing the transaction. “Why are you selling this particular horse at this specific moment,” as an illustration.
- Buy a racehorse from a claiming race. This is one of the most typical methods of buying a racehorse. You go to a race where the horses entered have predetermined prices. You can leave with the horse if you agree to pay the predetermined sum for it. Working with a trainer or bloodstock agent is very crucial for these kinds of purchases since they can provide you with insider knowledge about each animal. Claiming races also involves a certain amount of luck. If there are multiple purchase offers, the winning claim is selected at random at the conclusion of the race.
- Visit a live auction. Horse auctions are held all around the world, and buyers can put a bid in person, through a bloodstock agent, or even online. The majority of auctions distribute a catalogue with information on the horses up for bid well in advance of the auction day. Knowing which ones are of interest to you may be determined by doing your analysis beforehand. You or your bloodstock agent will be allowed to examine the horse up close before the auction. A veterinarian inspection is frequently permitted as well.
Method 3: Making a Knowledgeable Purchase
- Learn as much as you can about the industry. Visit the farm and track websites and click on each of the links that are provided. Subscribe to trade journals and browse ownership-related websites, such as the Daily Racing Form. Professional horse associations’ websites can also provide some excellent materials, such as the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association site’s “owner education” sections.
- Pick a horse with pedigree. Examining a horse’s pedigree, or blood lineage, is one way to judge staying ability if you’re searching for one that can run the long race. A strong lineage also acts as a sort of safety net in the case of females, as you can always sell the breeding rights to them if they don’t do well at the races.
- Obtain a veterinarian’s approval. It’s crucial to have a vet of your choice inspect the horse when you locate one that piques your interest. The veterinarian will review the animal’s medical background and do a physical examination of the limbs, eyes, heart, lungs, and other organs. They could even ask for x-rays of any problem areas. Some horses will be sold with some kind of assurance that they have no obvious respiratory or lung issues. The veterinarian will probably take some time to just observe the horse’s general demeanor in order to determine how it behaves among other animals or its owners.
- Regarding your possible income, be realistic. Long-term returns on your investment will make you pleased if you buy a racehorse for the pleasure of the sport. You should prepare your heart for disappointment if you purchase a racehorse with the intention of earning a large payout. Less than 2% of active racehorses earn more than $125,000 annually.
- Take part completely in the racing scene. It’s crucial that you consider your purchase to be an unconventional investment. By embracing the atmosphere that surrounds horseracing, you’ll get the maximum enjoyment out of your purchase. watch the racing and surrounding events. Learn about the jockeys and trainers. Being involved in the process will increase the value of winning or losing.
Whether you are new to the game, experiencing more losses than wins or just looking for a new approach, I am confident that I can help you breed or buy a better racehorse. To find out more about OPTIMAL Matings and how they can help your program, please subscribe to my Blog/News page HERE to receive future information on complimentary mating recommendations, sales short lists, stakes winner pedigree analysis, news on personal client success and any other random thoughts or ideas that I may have. Also, receive a complimentary copy of my report “Blind Luck or Designed Luck? – How A Kentucky Derby Winner Was Bred” sent directly to your inbox.
For inquiries or more information about Shepherd Equine Advisers, please contact Clark Shepherd at 859-321-6618, or by email at clark@bloodstock-agent-ky.com.
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