FOS--Thanks for your analysis of the stud fees.
Here are a few other facts to think about. EQ is a very serious stallion---I would put him in the top 10 maybe top 5 worldwide. His stud fee is cheap at 125k or whatever it is now ?????. Smarty Jones at 100k is indeed very priceiy especially given the fact we won't know what his true value as a Sire is until his first crop or two races. They are obviously trading on the fame he established while racing. No contest in my book---for about the same money I breed to EQ.
Northern Afleet and Afleet Alex are a slightly different story and interesting case. Last year Northern Afleet started the year at 12,500, I heard rumors his stud fee had gone up at the end of year but I couldn't confirm that. If Alex has the year I think he can have--a few more grade 1 wins for straight three yr olds and then a start in the Breeder's cup mile??? He will be off to stud for somewhere in the 40-50k range----my guess??? no basis for this guess. What do they do with NA? price him above, below or at the same stud fee as his son. In my book I would much rather breed to NA because we know he is a substantial producer---We won't know anything about AA until his foals start running (the same as Smarty Jones) I would much rather breed to the proven commodity especially if the stud fee is less expensive? Would you agree?
Afleet Alex to race as a 4 yr old?
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Speculation, speculation 
. Nobody knows what anyone else will decide about Afleet Alex. Heck, I never know what I'm going to do from one day to the next, especially under pressure. And I flip-flop all the time. Just ask my trainer or Pete Siegel, or anyone else who knows me.
How about with a committee of five owners, the input of potential stallion farms, possible new owners, a trainer or two, a jockey, and insurance agency? And any unsoundness factors in as well, no matter how mild.
Why get bent out of shape about something you have no control over, and can't possibly know the answers to until after the fact? Now, side bets are another story!
. Nobody knows what anyone else will decide about Afleet Alex. Heck, I never know what I'm going to do from one day to the next, especially under pressure. And I flip-flop all the time. Just ask my trainer or Pete Siegel, or anyone else who knows me.
How about with a committee of five owners, the input of potential stallion farms, possible new owners, a trainer or two, a jockey, and insurance agency? And any unsoundness factors in as well, no matter how mild.
Why get bent out of shape about something you have no control over, and can't possibly know the answers to until after the fact? Now, side bets are another story!
Rocking H
hi bc
It appears to me that Northern Afleet and Afleet Alex are somewhat different physically. If that is the case...selecting which of the two stallions to breed to may be (to a large degree) driven by the physical makeup of any mare that a breeder might consider sending to either one.
I expect that Afleet Alex will be extremely well respected when he's retired (as long as he's not mismanaged)...not just as a result of his resume...but his running style...demeanor etc. He seems to possess many qualities that I suggest most horsemen/women will find very appealing.
I sense he could be a TOP older horse also...if given the chance...but financial matters, as you suggest, might instigate his early retirement. Regardless...I get a strong feeling that the Alex Crew is genuinely intending to race him in 2006. I also get a sense that trainer Ritchie has set the bait...stating (post Belmont) that he felt the horse was worth $20 mil to $25 mil going into the Belmont...and that he's worth more now.
It'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
Best to you.
Respectfully
It appears to me that Northern Afleet and Afleet Alex are somewhat different physically. If that is the case...selecting which of the two stallions to breed to may be (to a large degree) driven by the physical makeup of any mare that a breeder might consider sending to either one.
I expect that Afleet Alex will be extremely well respected when he's retired (as long as he's not mismanaged)...not just as a result of his resume...but his running style...demeanor etc. He seems to possess many qualities that I suggest most horsemen/women will find very appealing.
I sense he could be a TOP older horse also...if given the chance...but financial matters, as you suggest, might instigate his early retirement. Regardless...I get a strong feeling that the Alex Crew is genuinely intending to race him in 2006. I also get a sense that trainer Ritchie has set the bait...stating (post Belmont) that he felt the horse was worth $20 mil to $25 mil going into the Belmont...and that he's worth more now.
It'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
Best to you.
Respectfully