Lucas Wallin— training fees in the stratosphere

[bond]

Owner was telling me he just saw Lucas sunning himself  in the tropics after getting ripped off in training bills
The training bills run at 10,000$ a month or more and what pissed him off was when he loaded his trailer up to go train at Meadowland he charged something like 500$ a horse!!
Not sure about the other Swedes but they certainly know how to charge.
IMHO he couldn’t hold Ake’s jock strap so boggles the mind how he gets clients.

[wizardofoz]

If true this is outrageous and obscene! These guys are pricing themselves OUT of the business for what they do! Does anyone know AKE's monthly fees?

[captain morgan]

They say Engblom prices are up there as well

[Kirbys Ace]

Owner was telling me he just saw Lucas sunning himself  in the tropics after getting ripped off in training bills
The training bills run at 10,000$ a month or more and what pissed him off was when he loaded his trailer up to go train at Meadowland he charged something like 500$ a horse!!
Not sure about the other Swedes but they certainly know how to charge.
IMHO he couldn’t hold Ake’s jock strap so boggles the mind how he gets clients.

They only charge that amount because idiots pay that amount!

[Generation XYZ]

If true this is outrageous and obscene! These guys are pricing themselves OUT of the business for what they do! Does anyone know AKE's monthly fees?

Ake used to be 75, or 80.00 per day.  There are a few add ons like groom's housing, and the normal surcharges, Shipping etc. But even if Ake is 90 - 100.00 per day thers a big difference between Wallin and AKE. Lets be real here. Wallin is marginal at best.

[LUCPARK]

Ake used to be 75, or 80.00 per day.  There are a few add ons like groom's housing, and the normal surcharges, Shipping etc. But even if Ake is 90 - 100.00 per day thers a big difference between Wallin and AKE. Lets be real here. Wallin is marginal at best.

hes over a 100  aday right now

[Brown jug]

it is getting out of control
yes costs are rising but purses are not
tough to break even

[Generation XYZ]

it is getting out of control
yes costs are rising but purses are not
tough to break even

But in perspective TB's are a minimum of 130.00 per day to $350.00

[Parked]

Sport of kings

[rainman2]

hes over a 100  aday right now

At $ 100/day ownership better be getting desired results, otherwise it might be time to move on!

[mwins]

$100 a day is nothing. Thats 3k a month.
Its all the extras and hidden fees.
shipping
paddocks
blacksmith
vet

[jupiter]

Who doesn't charge for Blacksmith, vet, paddocks and shipping. Only a moron, I've been charging those since the 60's. I charged for equipment, for a groom to be at the blacksmith shop, my travel plus exp for grooms on the road (15.00 per day), % for grooms. Daily rates, are what ever they are, if ya don't like them move some where cheaper. So the kid took a vacation to Hawaii with his family, I Know I took a vacation every winter, couldn't do it in the summer. You think he's overcharging, he has had a pretty decent year.   

[Grandstand Handicapper]

I am calling BS on this one. No way is this guy paying Lucas Wallin $10k per month to train a horse. No chance. Period. Now, if you want to tell me this is a one-off, isolated situation -- a stakes (winning) horse -- AND THIS BILL INCLUDES the trainer's 5% share (of a stakes win or two that particular month), shipping, vet work, etc., OK, I will buy that. But $10k -- if it exists -- is a one-off, an exception. No way it is the norm. BS.

I've met Lucas several times, seen him around plenty, spoke to him, etc. When Lucas had Rebuff racing, I saw him one morning in Lexington and we talked. I asked him his daily rate, vet work, feed, etc. I was curious for myself. For my life I don't remember what he said, but that's because it was a normal, typical number. He's a young, up and coming trainer, and if he continues, gets support, makes quality, intelligent decisions, he could have a very good future in front of him. Maybe exceptional. If you want a Swedish/Scandinavian trainer, and one who runs a public stable, having an alternative to Nancy Takter IMO is a good thing! LOL. Remember, Lucas did very well for himself from jump when he went on his own, and no, I don't mean from his daily rate. He owned a piece of Rebuff. He bought him as a yearling on his own account, and only had one owner interested, and that was for a small piece. That owner bought 10% immediately, After that Lucas sold the majority of the horse to another owner, but he still retained 15 or 20% for himself. The horse earned just under $1mm.

[jupiter]

 

[bond]

I am calling BS on this one. No way is this guy paying Lucas Wallin $10k per month to train a horse. No chance. Period. Now, if you want to tell me this is a one-off, isolated situation -- a stakes (winning) horse -- AND THIS BILL INCLUDES the trainer's 5% share (of a stakes win or two that particular month), shipping, vet work, etc., OK, I will buy that. But $10k -- if it exists -- is a one-off, an exception. No way it is the norm. BS.

I've met Lucas several times, seen him around plenty, spoke to him, etc. When Lucas had Rebuff racing, I saw him one morning in Lexington and we talked. I asked him his daily rate, vet work, feed, etc. I was curious for myself. For my life I don't remember what he said, but that's because it was a normal, typical number. He's a young, up and coming trainer, and if he continues, gets support, makes quality, intelligent decisions, he could have a very good future in front of him. Maybe exceptional. If you want a Swedish/Scandinavian trainer, and one who runs a public stable, having an alternative to Nancy Takter IMO is a good thing! LOL. Remember, Lucas did very well for himself from jump when he went on his own, and no, I don't mean from his daily rate. He owned a piece of Rebuff. He bought him as a yearling on his own account, and only had one owner interested, and that was for a small piece. That owner bought 10% immediately, After that Lucas sold the majority of the horse to another owner, but he still retained 15 or 20% for himself. The horse earned just under $1mm.

Im not sure about Nancy bills--but the owner told me that Lucas Wallin charged more than Jimmy Takter--he had horses with both-and is very wealthy-someone who can afford high bills. What pissed him off like I said--he fills up his 6 horse trailer to go TRAIN-then instead of pro-rating costs-he charged each horse something like 500$ EACH. you don't do that to wealthy owners--they have money-but are not stupid. The 10,000/month was not a one off--in fact he had a few months the bill was close to 15. Yes they were stake horses-but with those fees they would want to win 150K a year to break EVEN.  I posted this because I was just surprised at the costs he charged as I assumed someone who starts at the bottom would be the lowest in costs--appears I was mistaken.
I wish Lucas the best-don't wish him any ill will--just a heads up.