Frequently Asked Questions

Becoming an owner is more accessible than you might think. You can buy a horse outright or acquire shares ranging from 1% to 100%. France has two governing bodies: France Galop for flat and jump racing, and Le Cheval Francais for trotting. Registration costs around EUR 200 per year and requires choosing your racing colours (silks), which identify you on the racecourse.

You can own individually or join a group of co-owners, which reduces the financial commitment. The time between your decision and the first race varies: a few weeks if you buy a horse already in training, several months for a yearling that needs breaking in. TS Bloodstock guides you through every step, from selecting the horse to obtaining your licence, choosing the trainer and handling all administrative paperwork.

The budget depends on the discipline and type of horse. In flat racing, a yearling at Arqana can cost from EUR 5,000 for a late-catalogue lot to over EUR 500,000 for a son of Dubawi or Frankel. The average at the October sales sits around EUR 35,000. In trotting, prices start lower, often from EUR 3,000.

Beyond the purchase price, monthly training fees are the main ongoing cost: expect EUR 2,000 to 3,500 per month in flat racing and EUR 1,500 to 2,500 in trotting. Fractional ownership divides these amounts proportionally. With a 10% share, your monthly outlay in flat racing is between EUR 200 and 350. TS Bloodstock works out a realistic overall budget with you before any purchase, so there are no surprises down the line.

Returns depend on the level at which your horse competes. France distributes roughly EUR 293 million in prize money annually in flat racing alone, making it one of the most generous countries in the world. At provincial level, a standard flat race awards the winner EUR 8,000 to 15,000. Listed races offer EUR 50,000 to 80,000. A Group I such as the Prix du Jockey Club can pay over EUR 900,000 to the winner.

In trotting, the Prix d'Amerique is worth EUR 450,000. We should be honest: most horses do not cover their costs through prize money alone. But breeder premiums, resale value and breeding potential can all contribute to the return. TS Bloodstock presents realistic projections and never promises guaranteed returns.

In flat racing, a horse typically runs 5 to 10 times per year, with intervals of 3 to 6 weeks between outings. A jump horse generally makes 4 to 8 starts per season, as recovery takes longer. In trotting, the frequency is considerably higher: 10 to 20 races per year, sometimes more, with gaps of 2 to 3 weeks.

The rhythm depends on several factors: the horse's health, its fitness level, the availability of suitable races and the strategy agreed with the trainer. A talented horse may be kept back for a specific target rather than running frequently. TS Bloodstock discusses every entry with the trainer and always informs you before any declaration, so you understand the reasoning behind each decision.

There are four main profiles. Yearlings are young horses of around 18 months, not yet broken in, sold on pedigree and physical appearance: a bet on raw potential, sometimes at a very accessible price. Horses in training have already raced or are about to debut: you can gauge their ability, which reduces uncertainty.

Broodmares are former racehorses converted for breeding as a long-term project. Stallion shares allow you to invest in reproduction through syndication. The right choice depends on your budget, time horizon and goals. A patient investor might lean towards a yearling or a broodmare. Someone who wants to experience racing quickly will prefer a horse in training. TS Bloodstock helps you identify the profile that best fits your situation.

Racing Management is a day-to-day management service for your racehorse. In practice, your Racing Manager is in constant contact with the trainer: receiving morning updates, gallop videos and veterinary reports. He passes on a regular summary by WhatsApp or phone.

When a race opportunity arises, he analyses with the trainer whether the timing and conditions are right, then presents his recommendation. On race day, he accompanies you to the paddock if you are on course, or sends a full debrief. The Racing Manager also handles administration: entries, declarations, colours, invoices. For an owner who lacks the time or experience to manage these aspects alone, it is the way to enjoy racing without the logistical headaches. TS Bloodstock provides a detailed monthly report covering both sporting and financial performance.

Flat racing covers turf flat races (Thoroughbreds running at gallop over distances from 1,000 to 4,000 metres) and jump racing (hurdles, steeplechase, cross-country). The horses are predominantly Thoroughbreds.

Trotting splits into two disciplines: harness racing, where the driver sits in a sulky, and mounted trot, a French speciality where the jockey rides in the saddle. French trotters are world leaders in the sport. In terms of budget, trotting is generally more affordable for both purchase and training. Flat racing offers higher prize money at the top level, but competition is fiercer. Trotting provides more races per season and a tight-knit community. TS Bloodstock covers both disciplines and helps you pick the one that best matches your goals and budget.

Bloodstock sales (Arqana in France, Tattersalls in England, Goffs in Ireland) run over several days. Before the sale, each horse is stabled in a preparation barn where it can be freely inspected: you observe conformation, movement, and consult the pedigree and veterinary file.

On sale day, lots enter the ring one at a time in front of buyers. An auctioneer drives the bidding. Prices can climb fast on the most sought-after lots. A bloodstock agent's experience makes the difference: knowing when to bid, when to stop and above all which lots are genuinely worth their price. At the Arqana August sale, the median yearling price sits around EUR 50,000, but interesting lots can be found from EUR 8,000 to 15,000. TS Bloodstock accompanies you on site and manages the entire purchasing process.

A yearling is a young horse of approximately 18 months that has never been ridden or broken in. It is sold solely on the basis of its pedigree and physical conformation, since nobody yet knows how it will perform on the track. It is an investment in raw potential.

The major yearling sales take place in August and October, primarily at Deauville (Arqana), Newmarket (Tattersalls) and Kildare (Goffs). Prices range from a few thousand euros to over a million for the most fashionable pedigrees. The advantage of buying a yearling: if the horse turns out to be a good runner, the upside is at its maximum because the purchase price was lower than for a proven performer. TS Bloodstock inspects hundreds of yearlings each year, retaining only those that offer the best ratio of quality to potential.

Yes, and we strongly encourage it. Owners are welcome at the trainer's yard to watch morning exercise, typically between 7am and 10am. It is a privileged moment: you see your horse working on the training gallops, chat with the lad who looks after it daily and discuss form and upcoming plans with the trainer.

The best-known training centres in France are Chantilly, Maisons-Laffitte, Deauville and Lamorlaye for flat racing. For trotting, the main centres are Grosbois, Caen and Laval. TS Bloodstock organises regular visits and accompanies you to the racecourse on race days, with access to the paddock and the owners' areas. For many of our owners, these visits are the single most exciting part of the experience.

Beyond monthly training fees, several items need budgeting. Veterinary costs (mandatory vaccinations, equine dentist, worming, routine examinations) amount to roughly EUR 1,500 to 2,000 per year. The farrier visits every 4 to 6 weeks at an annual cost of EUR 600 to 800. Transport to racecourses runs from EUR 200 to 500 per trip depending on distance.

Mortality insurance is optional but recommended: it costs 3 to 5% of the horse's value per year. Annual registration with France Galop is about EUR 200. Jockey fees are deducted from prize money (around 7 to 10% depending on the race). In co-ownership, all of these costs are split according to your share. TS Bloodstock provides a monthly line-by-line statement so you know exactly where your money goes.

The choice of trainer is one of the most consequential decisions you will make. Several criteria come into play: location (a trainer based at Chantilly has access to the best Parisian racecourses), speciality (flat, jumps or trotting — each discipline has its specialists), communication style (some trainers call their owners weekly, others prefer monthly updates), track record and the size of the yard.

A trainer with 80 horses does not offer the same level of individual attention as one with 20. Personal chemistry matters too: the owner-trainer relationship is built on trust over several years. TS Bloodstock works with a network of trainers across France and helps find the right fit between the horse's profile, your budget and your expectations around communication. See our partners page for more.

France Galop is the institution that governs all flat and jump racing in France. Established in 1995 as the successor to the Societe d'Encouragement, it organises every race on French soil, distributes prize money (EUR 293 million in 2024, among the highest in the world), grants licences to owners, trainers and jockeys, and manages regulatory matters including anti-doping controls.

France Galop also manages the racecourses of Longchamp, Auteuil, Saint-Cloud and Chantilly. The trotting equivalent is called Le Cheval Francais. Arnaud de Seyssel, Thibault's father, is vice-president of France Galop, and his uncle Olivier de Seyssel is vice-president of Le Trot, which gives TS Bloodstock a direct understanding of the institutional workings of French racing. Learn more at francegalop.com.

Yes, and it is common practice. TS Bloodstock regularly attends sales at Tattersalls in Newmarket (England), Goffs in Kildare (Ireland) and has connections in the United States from the two years Thibault spent at MyRacehorse. Buying abroad opens up a much wider pool of horses and sometimes offers better value than the French market alone.

On the other hand, it involves managing international transport (roughly EUR 1,500 to 3,000 for an England-to-France journey), health certificates, customs formalities and occasionally a quarantine period. If you buy a horse trained in England to race in France, you also need to allow for an adjustment period. TS Bloodstock handles all of this logistics and ensures the horse arrives in the best possible condition.

You buy a percentage of the horse: 1%, 5%, 10%, 50% or any other amount. Training fees, veterinary costs and all ancillary expenses are split in proportion to your share. Prize money is distributed the same way. A dedicated WhatsApp group is set up for each horse, where all co-owners receive updates, videos and strategy discussions. You also get a detailed monthly statement.

Co-ownership is the simplest way to get into racing on a controlled budget. With a 10% share of a EUR 20,000 horse, your initial outlay is EUR 2,000 and your monthly costs come to around EUR 250 to 350 in flat racing. Many first-time owners start with a small share, get a feel for the sport, then invest more over time. TS Bloodstock puts these groups together and handles transparent account management.

Career length varies by discipline. A flat horse typically races from age 2 to 5 or 6. Sprinters tend to have shorter careers than stayers. Jump horses can compete until 8 to 10, since they usually only start at age 3 or 4. Trotters enjoy the longest careers: some race until 10 to 12, which means more seasons of potential earnings.

After racing, several paths are available. If the mare has a good pedigree, breeding is a natural and potentially profitable transition. The horse can also move into leisure or sport riding. Specialist retirement centres take in horses that cannot be rehomed. TS Bloodstock addresses end-of-career planning from the very start of every project, so each owner knows what to expect.

Not at all -- that is precisely what a bloodstock agent is for. Many of our clients had never set foot on a racecourse before getting in touch. We explain everything from the ground up: how training works, what a race programme means, how to read a form page, why certain ground conditions suit your horse better than others.

The jargon can feel daunting at first (handicap, conditions race, allowance, breaking in, racecourse gallop), but it sinks in fast when your own horse is involved. Within a few months, our beginner owners can follow a programme and understand the trainer's decisions on their own. TS Bloodstock is always available to answer every question, however basic it may seem. There is no such thing as a silly question in this business.

In France, prize money received by non-professional (amateur) owners is generally not subject to income tax, which is a notable advantage compared with other forms of investment. Professional owners (those who declare the activity as income) may deduct certain expenses related to horse ownership. VAT on horse purchases and training fees can also be recoverable in some circumstances.

However, French tax law in this area is technical and changes regularly. The distinction between amateur and professional status significantly affects the tax treatment. We always recommend consulting an accountant who specialises in the equine sector before making decisions based on tax optimisation. TS Bloodstock can put you in touch with professionals who have deep experience of these matters.