LARGE part of the lives of many thoroughbred horses revolves around training and racing. But, breeding and reproduction forms a vital part of our industry. Many male thoroughbreds start their racing careers entire and will be tested at the racecourse against their peers once they are fit to run. Only the elite colts will earn their chance to become stallions by proving they are among the best of their generation. Once their racing career is over, these elite colts move to stud to stand as stallions.

Standing as a stallion is not as easy as the job sounds. During the breeding season, which runs from February to June, they can be expected to cover three to four mares every day, which in itself is quite an arduous task. For this reason the stallions are extremely well-fed and looked after to maintain peak performance in the breeding sheds. For the rest of the male population, their future consists of a continued career in racing or as general riding horses.