HOY - what is the benefit?

Originally Posted by dalakhani

And you are saying that a horse with even a shot at an eclipse wont officially retire until the eclipse awards are announced?

No,
but at the point there is usually a high degree of certainty about what will transpire at the awards ceremony.
Read my explanation to Zieg on how that situation is dealt with.
Dala the fees are never set to low, always too high. You can always tell folks that they can get to one cheaper. This is commonplace. Horses are often available at lower stud fees than advertised in the first few years. especially if the the mare you bring is suitable and they want her in the book.