The recent parting of the ways between Willie Mullins and Gigginstown House Stud brought the issue of training fees into focus. With the help of racehorse owners, we gathered information on typical fees charged by a range of trainers in September. The trainers’ identities have been concealed.

Excluded from the fees below are transport costs for runners at the races. A study of the invoices presented to us indicated that trainers typically charge €100-€150 for travelling a horse to a fixture once the round trip exceeds 50 miles. Owners can also expect to pay weekend expenses for travelling grooms of around €80.

One owner told us how he discovered at the races how his trainer had charged €200 travelling expenses and €100 grooms expenses for each of the yard’s five runners on the same card.

VAT of 2.3% was charged on the training fees portion of the bills though some trainers are not registered for VAT.

THE MAESTRO

Dual-purpose trainer with 20+ winners a year. Basic fees for September

(30 x €35) €1,050

Farrier €40

Public gallops €100

Feed supplements €90

Schooling €25

THE JOKER

Dual-purpose trainer who has 10+ winners a year

Training plus farrier €1,350

(30 x €45)

THE GENIUS

Leading dual-purpose trainer

Basic fees for September (30 x €50) €1,500

Shoes €70

Supplements €85

THE TRAVELLER

Successful Northern Ireland trainer

Training fees (30 x £40) £1,200

Farrier £50

Racecourse gallop £90

THE PROFESSIONAL

Prominent Curragh trainer

Training fees (30 x €85) €2,550

Curragh gallops

(€350 per quarter) - €115

THE SHREWDIE

Point-to-point handler in Munster

Training fees (30 x €30) €900

THE LADIES’ MAN

Classic-winning trainer in Lambourn

Training fees (30 x £60) £1,800

GENERAL DE BRIGADE

Top French trainer

Training fees (30 x €100) €3,000

THE QUIET MAN

Classic-winning Irish trainer

Training fees (30 x €70) €2,100