Is breeding horses a business or a hobby? Dr Noel Cawley, breeder of prolific winners – such as Winter Cruise, Solerina, Touchable, Cruise On Clover, Mullaghdrin Gold Rain, Castellar, Golden Exchange, Atomic Mouse and Cruise on Clover and Rincarina – said: “Yes it is possible to make money out of it but to be viable, you need to be producing three or four quality foals a year.”
On the financial side of things, Cawley is adamant that, like any business, breeding horses must have some financial rewards. “Breeding horses is expensive, and prize money alone is not enough to keep an operation going. To make the business viable, you need to be selling horses and build up a customer base.”
Cawley admits that although he has been very successful in his breeding, if it was to be his full-time occupation, he would have to be selling more horses.
Overall, there is a general consensus that the key is to breed intelligently is starting with the right mare and stallion. Some breeders say the mare is 70 percent, while others say the mare and stallion are equally important.
A clear example of how important the mare is to the success of the offspring is Noel Cawley’s foundation mare Irco Rain. This mare has produced three stallions that have all made it on to Nations Cups teams. Mullaghdrin Gold Rain had phenomenal success under the command of Shane Breen, as did Touchable and Mullaghdrin Touch the Stars, both ridden by Jessie Drea.
Without a doubt, breeding horses is not for the faint hearted and, to give yourself the best chance of success, you really need to consider the costs. However, despite the costs, no breeder will disagree that there is great satisfaction and final rewards if you do produce that superstar in the end.
The bottom line
Approximate costs for producing a top performer include:
Average cost to keep a foal for the year: €1,500Once they reach a three-year-old: €3,500 a yearBeyond three year-olds and in work: up to €10,000 a year To produce a horse to 1.40m level, from a four-year-old up to an eight-year-old: approximately €50,000Once the horse is jumping at 1.50m, costs increase dramatically as you now have to jump abroad in three and four-star shows. Approximate costs of €6,000 per international show alone.
Is breeding horses a business or a hobby? Dr Noel Cawley, breeder of prolific winners – such as Winter Cruise, Solerina, Touchable, Cruise On Clover, Mullaghdrin Gold Rain, Castellar, Golden Exchange, Atomic Mouse and Cruise on Clover and Rincarina – said: “Yes it is possible to make money out of it but to be viable, you need to be producing three or four quality foals a year.”
On the financial side of things, Cawley is adamant that, like any business, breeding horses must have some financial rewards. “Breeding horses is expensive, and prize money alone is not enough to keep an operation going. To make the business viable, you need to be selling horses and build up a customer base.”
Cawley admits that although he has been very successful in his breeding, if it was to be his full-time occupation, he would have to be selling more horses.
Overall, there is a general consensus that the key is to breed intelligently is starting with the right mare and stallion. Some breeders say the mare is 70 percent, while others say the mare and stallion are equally important.
A clear example of how important the mare is to the success of the offspring is Noel Cawley’s foundation mare Irco Rain. This mare has produced three stallions that have all made it on to Nations Cups teams. Mullaghdrin Gold Rain had phenomenal success under the command of Shane Breen, as did Touchable and Mullaghdrin Touch the Stars, both ridden by Jessie Drea.
Without a doubt, breeding horses is not for the faint hearted and, to give yourself the best chance of success, you really need to consider the costs. However, despite the costs, no breeder will disagree that there is great satisfaction and final rewards if you do produce that superstar in the end.
The bottom line
Approximate costs for producing a top performer include:
Average cost to keep a foal for the year: €1,500Once they reach a three-year-old: €3,500 a yearBeyond three year-olds and in work: up to €10,000 a year To produce a horse to 1.40m level, from a four-year-old up to an eight-year-old: approximately €50,000Once the horse is jumping at 1.50m, costs increase dramatically as you now have to jump abroad in three and four-star shows. Approximate costs of €6,000 per international show alone. 
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