Forget the Kentucky Derby, the real money is made from being a stud

It's Triple Crown season, when the Belmont Stakes, the Preakness and the most prestigious of all, the Kentucky Derby, take the spotlight. Owners' wallets get fat and the horses become media darlings for a while.

Fast forward a few years, when the winner's racing career is over and the horse is "retired to stud." It could be a dreamy scenario for some: The horses earn a ton of money just for having the mares line up to have a little bit of (not-so) private time with them.

Horse breeding is a huge business — $39 billion and growing.

It used to be common for top-end racehorses to get sold in retirement, but today, many owners are hanging onto horses with the idea that a bigger pay day may be coming down the road through stud fees.

Interesting article, big money involved.

Read the full story here...
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/03/forget-the-races-the-real-money-is-made-in-stud-fees.html