Breeding Costs
Breeding a Standardbred foal is an exciting and rewarding undertaking, but it also comes with a range of financial considerations. Whether you're breeding commercially or for personal interest, it’s important to be aware of the key components that make up the cost of breeding — and to plan accordingly.
Key Components to Consider
Breeding costs can vary significantly depending on the stallion selected, the location and facilities used, and the individual needs of your mare. The core categories to consider include:
- 1: Stallion Service Fees
This is the fee paid to access a stallion's genetics and is typically influenced by the stallion’s racing record, progeny success, and commercial demand. Stallions may stand at stud in New Zealand or be accessed via transported chilled or frozen semen, which can affect logistics and cost. Check out our most recent Stallion Register by clicking here to compare prices. - 2. Veterinary Services
Veterinary involvement is essential throughout the breeding process — from initial reproductive assessment through to pregnancy confirmation and foaling support. The use of fresh, chilled, or frozen semen may also influence the level of veterinary input required, particularly where multiple inseminations or hormone treatments are necessary. We will soon be developing an interactive map which will serve as a directory for all the available vets and breeding bases in New Zealand.
- 3. Agistment and Mare Care
Mares may require temporary relocation to a breeding farm or veterinary clinic for serving, monitoring, or foaling. Associated care costs can include daily grazing, feeding, stable care, and specialised services like foal watch or assisted foaling. - 4. Additional Factors
Other considerations include transport, insurance, microchipping, and administrative costs for foal registration. If you are planning to prepare and sell the resulting foal at a yearling sale, further costs will include weaning, sales prep, and marketing.
Planning Ahead
Breeding requires both emotional and financial investment. Before committing, we encourage breeders to:
- Discuss service agreements and terms with studs and veterinary providers
- Factor in potential risks and contingency costs, such as multiple service attempts or veterinary interventions
- Use trusted advisors and experienced breeders as sounding boards throughout the process
We are currently developing additional resources to help you better plan and estimate your breeding costs with confidence. These tools will be made available shortly on this page. Check below for more details!
In the meantime, if you have questions or would like guidance specific to your circumstances, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].