Today we will discuss stallions standing between $50,000 and $99,999 and we will try to identify which stallions offer the best value and which offer the worst value for breeders.

This year, overall stud fees are down 12% for the group when compared to 2006. The average decline in yearling average was only 5% compared to last year. This is good news for breeders at this price range.

The group is joined by former six figure all stars Gone West, El Prado and Elusive Quality. The group has been pretty steady in terms of their fees as most horses return for the same fee as last year. They did lose one member in Fusaichi Pegasus whose fee was dropped by a huge 40% to $45,000.

Best Values

El Prado ($75,000) With a 40% fee reduction, El Prado may finally offer value and quality to breeders. He has an Average Earning Index of 2.14, the second highest of the group after Rahy, and has 8.4% stakes winners from foals. His yearling median of $190,000 also makes him very attractive at this price range.

Gone West ($85,000) has also been reduced from $125,000, he is a proven sire of sires and offers a unique opportunity to breeders at this price range. He still has a strong demand at the sale for his yearlings with a median of $210,000. He produces 8.6% stake winners from foals.

Elusive Quality ($75,000) Another sire with a big fee reduction (25%) that screams value for breeders. He has a 2.11 AEI and 6% stakes winners from foals. His median yearling median of $205,000 makes him a strong contender for the commercial breeder.

Worst Values

Johannesburg ($65,000) does produce some useful horses but his numbers are not that good. His AEI of 1.36 is pathetically low for a stallion in this range (it’s lower than for many stallions in the $5,000 range) and his 4.3% stakes winners from foals Is only marginally acceptable. He still has plenty of room for improvement as he has sired some good horses but I would not be surprised to see him in the $30,000 range soon. Especially given the way that Coolmore discounts its stallions. His yearling median of only $95,000 make him hard to swallow on the commercial front.