Building Your Thoroughbred Racehorse Portfolio From Scratch

As an owner of a thoroughbred racehorse, you know the thrill of early days on the farm, summers in training, and eventually, your horse’s day at the track. To grow your stable of horses from a single racehorse to a true thoroughbred portfolio is another matter. Where do you start? With a broodmare and foal, or perhaps investing in a yearling? As an owner, you have the unique opportunity to build your thoroughbred racehorse portfolio from scratch, and working with a credible, knowledgeable thoroughbred bloodstock agent helps you create a racehorse stable that aligns with your present and future goals. 

Thoroughbred Racehorse Investment Options

It’s important to understand the different ages and types of racehorses you could purchase or invest in. Each age group and level of training comes with some potential risks and rewards. 

Start by outlining your goals with your bloodstock agent. If your goals are to raise horses as they grow, you may lean toward broodmares and foals, so that you can enjoy the young horses as they develop. If your goals are to be involved in training and racing, you may want to purchase two-year-olds or participate in a claiming race. If your goals for thoroughbred ownership are primarily a financial investment, lean heavily on your bloodstock agent for their expertise and follow their guidance. With every goal, you open yourself up to learning more, and diving deeper into the world of thoroughbred horse racing.

The purchase of mares in foal--offer high potential even though they aren’t proven. Owning a broodmare is an investment in the future, as you choose which stallion to pair her with for future foals. Hopefully your choices produce exciting results on the racetrack, and thus, increasing the financial reward over her lifetime. These foals, even if they are the product of a champion, have a long way to go, and there’s no guarantee they’ll ultimately turn out to be champion racehorses. It’s like betting on the child of a great athlete while the child is still in kindergarten. However, purchasing broodmares in-foal can be an exciting and thrilling endeavor. 

Weanlings (foals that are no longer nursing) are under the age of one, and yearlings are young horses between one and two years old. They are like middle- and high-schoolers. Typically, weanlings and yearlings are the size and development stage that interest many investors. After weaning, they begin to show their personalities, tendencies, and competitive drive, giving investors a sneak peak at what the horse's future may hold.

Generally, the younger a horse, the riskier the investment. Yet the purchase price is much lower. This is because the young racehorse’s potential is unknown and unfulfilled. As the horse grows and is trained, you learn more about its ability. The goal of investing in a racehorse of any age is to be part of their development and part of the joy of horse racing.

Two-year-old thoroughbred racehorses are ready to train. Think of them like college athletes looking to turn pro. The talent and intelligence are there, but they have yet to prove themselves on the big racing stage. Two-year-old racehorses come with less investment risk, but a higher price tag. Other investors or people looking to buy a racehorse will also be watching the two-year-olds closely, making it a competitive market.

Foals, weanlings, yearlings, and two-year-olds are often exuberant and ready to play. You have the opportunity to watch them grow up and become beautiful, sleek adult racehorses. When taking the advice of your bloodstock agent, you can mitigate some of the risks involved in buying and raising young thoroughbreds because bloodstock agents understand every facet of thoroughbred racehorse development and needs.

Investing in Broodmares Can Offer Big Rewards

Broodmares not in-foal are another option to build your thoroughbred racehorse portfolio from scratch. Your bloodstock agent can help you find the best broodmares for your portfolio, and they can research the pedigrees of stallions for mating. If you want to increase your own thoroughbred racehorse portfolio and build a brand for yourself, investing in broodmares is an excellent choice.

Your bloodstock agent understands the intricacies of breeding thoroughbreds in a thoughtful way. A bloodstock agent can advise you on which stallion and mare combinations can help bring out the best potential qualities in the future foal.

They can also help you find the ideal farm to raise and train your thoroughbred racehorses from birth to the time they start racing. Ethical bloodstock agents always put the wellbeing of horses first, and they look for ways to help you get the fullest return on your investment and on your own experience.

While investing in broodmares and a quality breeding program is a long-term investment, it can pay off in a bigger way once the thoroughbreds you bred and raised reach the track.

Partnering with a Bloodstock Agent

Bloodstock agents are your trusted advisors and thoroughbred consultants in the racehorse industry. They can assist with buying and selling horses on your behalf, advising you on which horses to buy and when to breed, and will become a trusted partner in your portfolio strategy. They also understand the risks involved in investing your money in racehorses, so they want to help you achieve the best successes possible.

Bloodstock agents help you find potential high performers that others might miss, and they strategically spread your investments across the spectrum of risk according to your goals and comfort level. Most importantly, they act as your guide to the world of racehorses.

At Mill Ridge Farm, our team comes from a long line of racing industry leaders. As a family owned and operated farm, we have worked to develop Nicoma bloodstock through experience and successes. The Bluegrass covered hills offer the best place in Lexington, Kentucky for young thoroughbreds to grow and develop into racing stars. Foals, weanlings, and yearlings develop strong bones and muscles at Mill Ridge. Once two years old, they leave Mill Ridge to train and develop their ability to compete. Even though not every horse will be a proven winner or earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby, each racehorse has a will to compete across all levels. Bloodstock agents can help you find the best of the best in training to give your entire thoroughbred racehorse portfolio the best chance of producing a winner.

Interested in learning more about broodmares, foals, weanlings, and two-year-olds? Want to see how they are raised for yourself? Schedule a tour of Mill Ridge Farm today through Visit Horse Country, or call us directly at (859) 231-0606.