The Cost Of Owning A Horse In Ontario

[Cangamble]

I just posted the cost of owning a horse in Ontario, Fort Erie vs. Woodbine, for the same type of horse:

http://cangamble.blogspot.com/2008/0...hbreds-in.html

Maybe a few members here can post what it costs to own a horse at other tracks/states for a year.

[onefast99]

$75 per day for a good solid trainer, approx $400 per month for vet fees including lasix shots and misc like vitamins or gastroguard or worming, sometimes vet bills may be higher for horses that need more work. Total for the month is about $3000. The funny part is its the same cost whether you have a stakes horse or 5k claimer!

[ryesteve]

Originally Posted by onefast99

The funny part is its the same cost whether you have a stakes horse or 5k claimer!

I was thinking the same thing when I read some of the "partnership" threads here, and some people recommend claiming a cheap horse and going it alone, rather than joining a partnership. Assuming you're able to find a partnership that isn't ripping off its investors, it seems like it makes more sense to own 10% of a $100k horse than to own 100% of a $10k horse.

[hibiscus]

Originally Posted by ryesteve

I was thinking the same thing when I read some of the "partnership" threads here, and some people recommend claiming a cheap horse and going it alone, rather than joining a partnership. Assuming you're able to find a partnership that isn't ripping off its investors, it seems like it makes more sense to own 10% of a $100k horse than to own 100% of a $10k horse.

You are 100% correct. Hibiscus Stables is a "partnership stable". I'm not permitted to talk about that too much here but I can tell you that boarding and training a horse in NY costs $85 per day with a good trainer and even more for a high-profile trainer like Pletcher or Mott or Zito, etc. The vet bills are more like $600 per month and the farrier is $150 per month. You will also need to van the horse around from time-to-time so include something for that. Then factor in something for the unexpected knee surgery or x-ray here and there. That's all constant whether it's a nickel-claimer or Invasor.



That's why people who bash partnership groups as rip-offs that double the price of the horse, etc need to do the math. Many partnership groups include many months of training in the initial price of the horse. That training isn't free. Any additional markup goes to keeping the company operating. Advertising, phones, rent, salaries, trips to auctions, legal fees, etc aren't free either.



But back to the original question, I would expect $3000 to $3500 per month in NY.

[lamboguy]

i pay $85 a day to a top trainer in New York. my vet bills are about $900 per month, and i run about once every 6 weeks on average wehn horses are in training. but this guy gets results and doesn't have time or patience for sub-par performance.

bottom line, it is a better deal to just be his horses, than have them in training with him. you could never get even unless you have a stake horse with this guy!

[Cangamble]

Originally Posted by ryesteve

I was thinking the same thing when I read some of the "partnership" threads here, and some people recommend claiming a cheap horse and going it alone, rather than joining a partnership. Assuming you're able to find a partnership that isn't ripping off its investors, it seems like it makes more sense to own 10% of a $100k horse than to own 100% of a $10k horse.

I've noticed advertised partnerships who overvalue the horse or horses in question. It is best to start without a horse and buy them at sales or through claiming. I do think that you could get a profitable horse for 12k plus as long as the purses are generous enough.

[onefast99]

Originally Posted by lamboguy

i pay $85 a day to a top trainer in New York. my vet bills are about $900 per month, and i run about once every 6 weeks on average wehn horses are in training. but this guy gets results and doesn't have time or patience for sub-par performance.

bottom line, it is a better deal to just be his horses, than have them in training with him. you could never get even unless you have a stake horse with this guy!

I pay the samething. The good part about NY racing is the shuttle service between Aqu-Bel and saratoga are free. So unless you race at Philly, Mth or the Meadowlands your transportation costs are zero. Farriers get $150, $900 for a vet is a bit high, unless the horse is in need of gastoguard and numerous $25 shots. I have been able to keep my vet bills to an average of $400 per month in NY.

[ryesteve]

Originally Posted by Cangamble

I've noticed advertised partnerships who overvalue the horse or horses in question.

No doubt... when you see a group that sells 1% for $1,000, and then you see their horses running in $15k-$25k statebred maiden claimers, you can certainly draw the appropriate conclusion. That's the sort of thing I had in mind when I said, "assuming you can find one that doesn't rip off its investors"

[lamboguy]

i remember when centenial farms won the belmont with colonial affair. it was a great day for that group. but look at the other horses in that partnership, some were OK, most were sub-par. even with the belmont winner most of those partners were in a losing position.

there are to many things that are behind the scenes in limited partnerships other than the fees and expenses. remember even if you get into a young horse, that horse was studied before it goes into the partnership. the guys running the show know when a horse has a big shot or not, do you think they are going to give that horse away in a partnership for short money.

my advice is if you can't afoord to own a horse by yourself or with a few of your friends, stay away from the game and just bet the horses. its tough enough to win when you battle all the rich owners out there that don't care about money.

i lose at the game, i try to make it up at the windows, betting when my horse is at peak condition, tryign to spot the horses in the right spots.

[Grits]

Originally Posted by lamboguy

i pay $85 a day to a top trainer in New York. my vet bills are about $900 per month, and i run about once every 6 weeks on average wehn horses are in training. but this guy gets results and doesn't have time or patience for sub-par performance.

bottom line, it is a better deal to just be his horses, than have them in training with him. you could never get even unless you have a stake horse with this guy!

If that top NY trainer was billing me at $85. X 30 = $2550 and tacking on aboout another $1K per month in vet bills, I'd be betting as well.

[onefast99]

Originally Posted by Grits

If that top NY trainer was billing me at $85. X 30 = $2550 and tacking on aboout another $1K per month in vet bills, I'd be betting as well.

Gastroguard is expensive and maybe the horse needed a few extra needles, if you scope him after each race thats another $50 I dont see this adding up to 1k unless the vet is throwing his car payment in the mix.

[ralph_the_cat]

AT MNR its usually around $30-$50 a day... some poor souls will charge as low as $20-25...

Vet bills are from $100-$200 per start... run twice in one month a vet bill could hit $400 or more depending on work... Vet bills are so hard to tell an owner what they may expect... I have ponies that run that cost only about $50-100 a start... and I've had others that run $200-$300 a start... maybe more... typically if your putting more out in money per start... the horse is earning it... no owners going to want to put out $300 a start if it aint producing... but if it is... then charge away...

shoes are $90 at MNR...

I recommend going with small stables... they have less help to pay which means a lower day rate...

[northerndancer]

My current rates for the following jurisdictions (trainer, vet, meds, blacksmith, other, total per month):

Woodbine: $85, $1,200, $100, $125, $25, $4,000

Delaware: $60, $400, $300, $90, $0, $2,500

Charles Town: $50, $500, $200, $90, $0, $2,300

Kentucky: $65, $200, $100, $90, $0, $2,000

California (Southern): $80, $400, $400, $110, $0, $3,300

Laurel: $55, $400, $300, $90, $0, $2,300

I have to pay for stall rent and both Woodbine and Fort Erie for shavings removal. Also at Woodbine my trainer charges for hydroponic grass.

I believe that it actually costs more to train a cheap horse than it does a good horse. The cheap horse vet and medication bills are way out of proportion in comparison to the good horse.

[Zaf]

CG,

Your blog is excellent !

Z

[Pace Cap'n]

And that hydroponic grass ain't cheap!