How to Calculate the Cost of Racing a Horse

Horse racing is one of the elite sports in the United States. The cost of horse racing contributes to this view, as the calculations for owning a horse include expenses for many daily tasks.

Instructions

1. Choose an ownership type. Few people own race horses outright. Instead they buy into a franchise by becoming partners with others who contribute a portion of the cost for the horse. These partners may or may not know each other, and they often have little interaction beyond occasional meetings.

2. Determine the frequency of the horse's competition. Some horses compete in only a race or two a year, limiting the cost of training and transporting the horse. Others want their horses running as often as possible, which increases the odds of winning and the cost.

3. Price the fees from local trainers and jockeys. In places where horse racing is common, more competition exists for trainers and jockeys and can drive down the price. Getting an idea of the pay expected in your area will help calculate one of the biggest costs of racehorse ownership.

4. Find a stable. Unless you intend to keep the horse on your property, you must pay boarding fees for the horse year-round. This cost can get steep, and you should get estimates before committing to owning the horse.

5. Find the pricing of various races. Horses start in maiden races, and the entry fees for these races are less than for the more advanced races. The purse is smaller as well, making the payout less appealing even to the winner. Pricing races early can help determine the total cost of ownership for your racehorse.