Is this a stupid question?

[eye123]

I was just reading an article that had me scratching my head.

(article excerpt)

 "American Pharoah, who in 2015 became the first horse in 37 years to sweep the Triple Crown, stands at Coolmore’s farm in Versailles, Ky., in the spring. He then shuttles to its Australian farm for the fall breeding season. In the past couple years in the United States, he was commanding about $200,000 per live foal that stands and nurses. Producing an average of 150 live foals from the breeding season in Kentucky, American Pharoah is racking up more than $35 million in stallion fees there. He commands about $50,000 per live foal in Australia."


So my (maybe stupid question) question is...why wouldn't an owner purchase a few nice broodmares in Australia, breed to American Pharoah for $50,000...ship back here to run (or preferably put in the sales ring against the other American Pharoah offspring  ($200,000) ).......wondering the dynamics of breeding, shipping to America.I remember Roger Stein use to have a number of Australian bred runners , and if not mistaken he made yearly trips down under to do just that, look for horses to bring back here. I'm thinking a horse in the sales ring out of comparable mares (be it US or Australian) by the same sire...where one fee is $50,000 vs $200,000 would be (hate to use this phrase but will for lack of any other at this time "A no brainer" ).....know I must be missing something here.....think an answer will be informative to everyone here.(know I'm curious)

[1hooper]

Aug 1 birthday for southern hemisphere thoroughbreds. Breeding season Sept,Oct,Nov. Mare bred to AP this year on So. Hemisphere time will ship to Kentucky,have a foal next(2019) Sept,Oct or Nov and then turn one on Jan 1 2020,giving up to 9-11 months of development to No. Hemisphere foals born Feb,March,April 2019.
Hooper

[cherokeescot]

The most obvious reason is the age difference. Does not really matter with older horses but as regards the Triple Crown races then none of these horses would be able to participate.

[eye123]

So the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere pretty much do their own thing for the first three yrs...then say four and on there is value shipping here to run ? This then raises the question, if an Australian owner wanted a leg up on maturity(3yr olds) could he not breed here,then ship to Australia for their 3yr old Triple Crown races ? I think for the most part, most horse players give thought to what is happening here, in front of them. Interesting to get a grasp on the whole world picture.

[1hooper]

It is not unheard of to breed to non shuttling stallions on opposite hemisphere timing. There are some Australian and SAF breeders that have shipped mares to Europe and US and bred to stallions like Galileo in Sept and October,then ship the mare home to foal.
Make any sense?
Hooper

[eye123]

Yes I think I understand, but what threw me is the discrepancy in stud fees. $200,000 vs $50,000 Is the value of our three yr old season worth four times as much as Australia. (three yr old races and possible breeding fees down the road) I'm not familiar with what top stallions get in Australia, and not aware of any stallions that shuttle here to the US. Also never gave it much thought till I read this article. Finding it interesting getting a glance on what happens elsewhere in the horse racing world. Thanks for the response Hooper,Bev.

PS...anyone else interested in breeding and racing outside America ? A wealth of knowledge here(in this forum) , waste not to tap into it. Invite anyone viewing the site as a guest to join and ask away.

[1hooper]

Eye,I have raced and bred in South Africa for more than a decade. I have shown a + investment in that time frame.
Australia was much tougher. Bought an Australian mare in foal to English Derby winner Montjeu,then bred her multiple times to Animal Kingdom at Arrowfield Stud. arrowfield.com.au/ 
Sold every foal that was marketable,had one tragic event with a yearling,and have lost money on that adventure. I’m now out of AUS completely,and trying to decrease all of my SAF holdings. Will probably take another 2 years to do that.
I’m not sure what the future holds for us small timers that want to be involved in the industry. Was involved in the past with some of the trainers shown on TV yesterday,the stories I can tell. It was what led me to the southern hemisphere.
Always happy to share my experiences,other posters will have different views.
Hooper

[Deleted]

lawyers say there is no such thing as a stupid question as they advertise their wares....lol....