Question about purchasing a racehorse?

Question

I am looking to purchase my first race standardbred horse between the prices of $6000-$7000.

My trainer has told me hell make a deal with me where he covers all of the bill (stall,shoes,vet,feed...etc) in return i give him 50% of the purse money for every race i win prize money for.

My understanding is that monthly expenses can run around $2500 a month.

My question is what is the better way to go, in your guys honest opinion?

Thanks

smartapple123 · Answer

I am looking to purchase my first race standardbred horse between the prices of $6000-$7000.

My trainer has told me hell make a deal with me where he covers all of the bill (stall,shoes,vet,feed...etc) in return i give him 50% of the purse money for every race i win prize money for.

My understanding is that monthly expenses can run around $2500 a month.

My question is what is the better way to go, in your guys honest opinion?

Thanks

smartapple123 · Answer

Is it better to keep 100% of the prize money and pay the flat rate for expenses

or

have all of the bill paid for by trainer and give 50% of winnings to trainer.

Writing this question here, because i am getting few results in horse racing forum

searchwarrant · Answer

Depends on the genes. That&#x27;s a mighty risk your trainer is taking. What does he know? His bills will pile up fast.

searchwarrant · Answer

Negotiate if that horse has legs.

nature1970 · Answer

that is a good deal. It puts the burden for the horse on the trainer.

However, if the horse does not win enough to pay for the expenses then what.

the trainer is not

in this to lose money.

and consider what class of races it could be fall into. you claim the horse for 6 grand. your trainer places the horse in a 2500 claiming race wins a 2500 purse and is claimed. your out 2500.

smartapple123 · Answer

thats the risk the trainer is taking....if the horse ends up winning 10k in a month, then the trainer would get 5k instead of just the $2500 for expenses.We also wouldnt put the horse in a claimer for a while unless its a 12.5 k or something

ram · Answer

Don&#x27;t like it. Any trainer that says he&#x27;ll pay half the vet bills tells me the horse will never see a vet. Horses that sell for 6,000 almost always have issues. Claimers that is. It&#x27;s possible you could  make some money but highly unlikely. Been there, done it. Cheap horses might win 2 or 3 races a year and make a lot less that a 15 claimer that does the same. If it was me I would get a partner, buy a 12-15 claimer, hire a trainer and pay the bills between the two of you. Tough game because soundness is so important. Vets can take all the money and more. If you can afford this then fine, but if not stay away. Unless the trainer is a good friend I wouldn&#x27;t trust them to pay your vet bill.

666LES · Answer

Win or Lose a Horse eats every day.I&#x27;ve known several guys that have bought horses and the ones that are most satisfied are the ones that don&#x27;t sweat the money and don&#x27;t own the horse to make money.    Kind of like owning a boat-You&#x27;re happy the day you buy it and happier the day you sell it.

smartapple123 · Answer

update: Trainer now saying i would have to pay for stall rent and shoes ($520 a month).

Horse would be a $8,000 5 yo mare that we could negotiate down to $7,000. PA sire so it can race at all the PA racetracks.

Deal now would be, split 50/50 prize money, I pay for stall rent and shoes, trainer pays for everything else

or

I pay for all the bills and also win 100% of prize money

nature1970 · Answer

what are the blood lines,

a five year old mare has potential with not it's racing career

at 8 grand claiming it is not a great starting gate

but it's blood lines crossed with a worthy stud whose cross blood line has produced good stakes winners.

example ap indy, has both seatle slew and secretariat in its direct linage. You have to understand what is in it for the trainer. why his time to condition this horse. Is he new to the game and wishes to establish a name?... for a moment try to see it from his shoes.

nature1970 · Answer

If anything when you finally agree to all the terms. dont settle for a wink and hand shake. get the terms in writing. Who do you want Jockeying the horse what types of races do wish to enter. what happens to the animal when retirement is reached and have some fall back plan when this doesn&#x27;t work what do you intend to do with the animal.

nature1970 · Answer

one last thought to it all, not sure how pa is done but you must belong to the thoroughbred racing association to actually use the owner tag in the race card. are you to be sole owner then find out how this is done. usually you need 3-5 owners to vouch you have the means to provide this animal with reasonable care till a natural death of the animal.....

they do not want race horsing to fall into the greyhound traps....

then figure out what you actually want here, a photo in the winners circle, trophy money? what is this worth to you. seen a fair share of this and just saying treat this like you are buying anything of value.

why would they sell if you were to buy... what are you really getting... most times for a new person the first is always a learning curve very good investment dumped a lot of money into it very poor return . good experience yes but understand everything and most everyone connected to this industry has an angle.

smartapple123 · Answer

most likely going to do the original deal.....all bills paid 50/50 split.

this is the horse we are looking at

https://www.eharness.com/listings/ask_queenie/index.shtml

trainer feels confident we can get her racing for nice sized prize $, also PA sired a plus.

He has an investment in this as well now that we are doing 50/50 split so i trust his judgement. He lives and breathes horses.

ArtSchlichterJr · Answer

Do your homework... Spend a ton of time at tracks ...Talk with other trainers.. .Most important you must find Mr Ed and talk it over with him and value his input.. That horse knows his horse's..

...GL... A horse is a horse ...

searchwarrant · Answer

Growing up on a horse ranch I can say they are similar to owning a boat. Two great moments, the day you buy it and the day you sell it.

BIGfnPOO · Answer

no... no ..NO.. did i say No?   not a good idea.  you need Bobby Flay $$$ son.   not a good idea buying 7k pigs..trainers and barn owners make the $ and the vets.

666LES · Answer

Harness is the most disHonest racing there is next to Mule Racing. I want to say baaaa...baaa..baaa.

Mark_The_Narc · Answer

Really don&#x27;t like this. Think you can do better than getting involved with the Callahan&#x27;s. This horse looks pretty weak. Hasn&#x27;t got a check since October, and brought in 15k in 16. Horse has looked like crap in Dover. Do the math. Not looking good going forward. You&#x27;ll go in on this horse and he&#x27;ll stick it in somewhere for a cheap claim and you&#x27;ll net a loss. Be patient and wait this one out. Personally, I&#x27;d rather have one of the Davis or Brittingham clan take care ofor my horses.

smartapple123 · Answer

thanks, we went with a different horse

sports_Network · Answer

Giving a trainer 50% is not the way this is done..you fail to mention the horses age; don't expect miracles for a 7k potential racehorse, especially one over 2.5 years old...best bet: go to the Ocala,FL auction, pick up a yearling under 10k with a racing bloodline...take it from their

HoneyB · Answer

Must be nice to own one :D

THEMUGG · Answer

Name it "Hoof Hearted" &amp; it will live in infamy....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3iWmcTX-Y

666LES · Answer

Technically a "racehorse" but so is a plowhorse if he pulls a bike around a Track.OP was full guns on this first nag and when the mare comes up a little dicey,WE went with another horse?? Was this the same We that included the trainer that was going to strangle you in your sleep on the first oat-burner?Again, is the OP avatar a misnomer?

Titan2 · Answer

I&#x27;ve owned a dozen horses (two Grade 1 winners) and those monthly costs are low- What track is this trainer based at?I was paying like $120 a day 25 years ago,

searchwarrant · Answer

I&#x27;d deep six the horse idea and get a camel. You can take him to kid&#x27;s birthday parties for rides and make more money.

Question about purchasing a racehorse?

Hot Forum Topics