Thoroughbred horses are professional racing horses that enjoy great popularity all over the world. They are also one of the costliest horse breeds in the globe today. Are you interested to know how much does a thoroughbred horse cost currently? The cost of these horses is quite different across various countries, but on average, it costs between $100000 and $300000 to own a horse, especially a championship race varieties.
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How much does a thoroughbred horse cost
Train Your Horse & Cure Bad Habits!
The price of a thoroughbred horse is sure to burn a deep hole in your pocket; however, there are also other ways to own one without having to pay the full sum. We will talk about that in the later sections of this article. Now, that you know how much does a thoroughbred horse cost, you shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that this is all you have to pay for it. There are various other expenses in the form of training & maintenance, which you need to focus on.
Factors that determine how much does a thoroughbred horse cost
A less-trained or inexperienced thoroughbred horse can cost you less than the average price mentioned above. On the other hand, a trained, championship race breed can cost you many times more than this average price. Why are the prices of these horses different, though they all belong to the same thoroughbred breed? What factors determine how much does a thoroughbred horse cost? Read on to know more about this:
- Age of the thoroughbred
- Pedigree
- Conformation
- Amount of purse money that the horse has won in races so far
- Racing record of the horse
- Reputation of the breeder
It is very difficult to give one specific answer to the question of how much does a horse cost, especially if it is a thoroughbred. In this case, though we did see that the highest average price of a thoroughbred was about $300000, it need not be the benchmark always.
Here is an example which will explain to you the demand that thoroughbreds enjoy at the auctions. During the 2006 auction that was organised for the thoroughbreds, a two-year-old colt named The Green Monkey fetched a price of a whopping $16,000,000! Have you now understood the intricacies behind the question, how much does a thoroughbred horse cost?
In comparison with the quarter horses
Thanks to your groundwork, you may have already found out the answer to the question, how much does a quarter horse cost. You will pay a maximum of $15,000 per year for these quarter horses, tack costs, feed, medical expenses and the like. As you can see, the thoroughbreds demand a far higher price than the quarters.
This is because the thoroughbreds are professional racing horses used for racing long distances with great speed, agility and stamina. This is why you will also find many websites with breeders offering thoroughbred horses for sale at attractive prices. Before browsing these sites, you should do enough research to get a fair idea of how much does a horse cost, so that you don’t get exploited.
Owning a thoroughbred horse without paying the full sum
Thoroughbred horses for sale and new racing horses registered with your respective country’s equine association do come at a very exorbitant price. While you may want to own a thoroughbred, the price can scare you a lot. Here are some ways in which you can still claim ownership on thoroughbred race horses for sale, without paying their price:
Investing in partial shares
If you cannot afford the full sum that the race horses are priced at, you could consider owning a share in them. A 5% or 10% in a famous thoroughbred will cost you around $10000, which is a decent investment, indeed! This way, though you know how much does a thoroughbred horse cost, you don’t have to cough up the entire amount.
Extra charges that you should be aware of
While you may be given a final quote which tells you how much does a thoroughbred horse cost, you may still have to pay a series of external charges such as the following:
Commission Fees:
This will apply
Legal Fees:
When you are investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in a race horse, you would obviously want to seal the deal in the most professional way possible. A written contract with the terms of the deal, legal witness to the deal and other documents should be arranged correctly so that you are covered in the event of an unfortunate incident in the future. Drawing up the contracts and documents will require you to pay an additional legal fee as well, along with the actual price of the horse.
Sales tax:
Even within the USA, you will notice that there are different sales tax rates in different states. If you want to know how much does a thoroughbred horse cost in a state like Tennessee, you should factor in the 10% sales tax as well to the actual cost of the horse.
Mortality insurance:
You have to take a mortality insurance policy, especially when you agree to invest in a costly thoroughbred horse. This will give you the necessary cover when the horse dies from unforeseen causes in the future.
In short, the huge investment that a thoroughbred commands, is only the value that you would see in the contract paper. There are lots of other hidden charges that you should be aware of, if you don’t want to be caught unawares when you are asked to pay the final sum for your animal.
Conclusion:
If you thought that’s all you need to know about how much does a thoroughbred cost, you are mistaken. You have to still manage the other expenses such as training & Maintenance, which costs around $45000 per year. Are you ready for the challenge? Your horse is surely up for it; therefore, you better be on your toes to keep up with the pace of your newly acquired thoroughbred!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What do thoroughbred horses eat?
Thoroughbred horses have high nutritional needs due to their athletic ability and active lifestyle. They typically require a diet of high-quality hay or pasture, along with grain or specialized feed that is formulated to meet their specific nutritional needs. The exact diet of a Thoroughbred horse may vary depending on factors such as age, activity level, and health, and should be monitored by a veterinarian or equine nutritionist.
How long do thoroughbred horses live?
Thoroughbred horses typically have a lifespan of around 25-30 years, although this can vary depending on factors such as breed, health, and care. Horses that are well-cared for and receive proper nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care may live longer than those that do not. It’s important to provide regular health check-ups and appropriate care to ensure the long-term well-being of a Thoroughbred horse.
How fast do thoroughbred horses run?
Thoroughbred horses are known for their speed and are primarily bred for racing. They can run at speeds of up to 40-45 miles per hour (64-72 kilometers per hour) over short distances, with the fastest recorded speed being 55 miles per hour (88.5 kilometers per hour). Thoroughbreds are known for their natural speed, athleticism, and endurance, which make them well-suited for racing and other high-performance equestrian disciplines.
Hi, my name is Idammah, and I am a huge animal lover! I have always had a special place in my heart for pets, especially cats. I currently have a rescue cat named Simba, who has brought so much joy and love into my life. In my free time, you can find me playing with my cats or watching some animal documentaries. When not spending time with my cat, I enjoy writing about my experiences as a pet owner and sharing helpful tips and advice with other pet lovers. I hope to connect with other pet enthusiasts and share our love for animals through this blog.
