With breeding there are several things to consider. First, is the wait. From the time your mare goes to the shed to be bred, you are going to have a minimum of two and a half years to get to the track. That is a long time! Correction, an eternity. Next, is cost. Let's say you pick up a decent mare for 10k. You send her to be bred for $5k. Daily cost is likely $25/day. For the first 550 days. Then, $50/day (mare and weanling) for the next 450 days. Plus, the mare will need to be bred back after the foal is delivered. The bred back the following year when the second foal to is delivered while you still have the first foal. Repeat. It gets to the point where you are paying the daily rate on a two year old, a yearling and the mare. And this is all if everything has gone perfectly. Vet bills just raise the price. Trainign once they are ready is also and added expense. It starts to make your head spin.
Basically, we figured that to get our first foal ($5k stud fee) to the yearling sale, without considering the cost of the mare (since we raced her), was about $25k without any substantial vet bills. But to sell and make money you must also consider the consigner's fee and the auction company fee. So, you need to take a marginal mare bred to a modest $5k stallion and produce something salable for 30k.
Now, if he has bad conformation, is just small, or is too big. He is worth very little. The catch is, and the reason people do this, you can hit the lottery. You could sell one bred like this for 100k+.
Breeding has been rewarding to me, but not at no cost. Still waiting ont he first one to get to the track as well. So, in the mean time I have been to the sales and purchased a yearling for action. More bills.
Last shining thought, WINNING a race and having the photo on my wall was the best thing ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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