How much would you spend on a stud fee?

[Jinx94]

I've been looking at potential stallions for my filly, with the plan of getting a shortlist together and then keeping an eye on them and their offspring until I'm ready to breed. It won't be for at least a couple of years as I want to see how she performs under saddle.

There is one in particular that I like, but the stud fee is pretty expensive and I'm not sure whether to save until I can afford him or choose a younger stallion with similar lines..

What would/do you do?

 

[TheMule]

The stud fee itself is not the expensive part of breeding, but do make sure you get good terms if it is a pricier one (or any one really!)
For example, if you just have the one mare and wouldn't want to carry a breeding over to the following year or try a different mare, choose a % of the cost back if not in foal Oct 1st rather than NFFR or LFG. This may be negotiable, depending on the stallion owner.

Out of interest, who have you got your eye on?

 

[Leo Walker]

If its a foal to sell then you need to pick a popular stallion that appeals to buyers. I would pay more for this.

 

[Jinx94]

Thanks, TheMule I work at a stud and have a close friend that breeds, so unfortunately I am well aware of the costs and potential heartbreak.. ignorance is most definitely bliss!

LW, I definitely need to keep saleable lines as a priority.

From everything that I've looked at so far, Hardrock Z is definitely a favourite. I seem to be pretty keen on horses with Heartbreaker in their pedigree!

 

[ihatework]

Echo TheMule!

2k is a reasonably high stud fee and in that kind of bracket there will be a wide choice from the continental stud books.

As it is just a fraction of the overall cost then I wouldn’t scrimp on a few hundred on the stud fee.

That said, you have a couple of years - start saving, keep your eyes open and an open mind and something else might leap out at you!

The canny, experienced breeders are good at picking out the younger/cheaper stallions so that buy the time the offspring are under saddle they are commercial. However for the one horse breeder (like myself) I think it’s far better to choose a really proven stallion.

The stallion I used at the time (5 years ago) was 1.5k then, now seems to be 1.8k

 

[TheMule]

You could consider Escape Z- same breeding on the damline, British based so easier to get fresh/ chilled and more marketable in the UK IMO as more known here. I have a super rising 3yr old by him. He's also smaller which IMO is good for a maiden.
But a good idea to get to know your mare a bit first- I have her half sister and hopefully I will breed from her one day, but it will be a very careful selection.

 

[lme]

We are breeding to keep and spent up to £1100 this time (Escape Z and a son of Don VHP from Brendon Stud who appears to have a fabulous attitude). Next time (if there is a next time) it will be a lot more £ as daughter wants to use a top level SJ stallion. But as every one else has said, the stud fee is the cheap bit.

 

[sport horse]

Your choice will depend on the blood lines of your mare, her performance record and what you are hoping to breed. If you are breeding from a top performance mare with top bloodlines then you should be prepared to spend more on the stud fee as your end product should be worth more.

 

[windand rain]

Basically as the stud fee is a small part of overall costs it is best to save up for your first choice, but keep an open mind as there may be a future star you prefer by the time you get there and if he is cheaper the savings will mitigate some of the other costs. Personally though I would never breed a foal unless I was prepared to keep it for the rest of its life. There can be issues with breeding your own it may not make the size you want, have the temperament you want or be born perfect. Before you breed anything please consider the foals future very carefully it could be with you for 30 years as a useless field ornament or you will be faced with putting it to sleep