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Behold! richest stud-horse Galileo worth more than Ronaldo, Messi

The sport of Kings can make or break you.

But for those that star on the track, a valuable career can await in the breeding sheds where there are millions and millions to be made.

Take Galileo, one time Derby winner at Epsom for Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien.

In the early 2000s he was dominant on the track racking up wins in King George at Ascot and in the Irish Derby.

But it’s his career after racing that has had owners Coolmore Stud counting their cash.

He’s now valued at over a staggering £180 million, more than some of the transfer fees of the best footballers on the planet like Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Harry Kane and Neymar.

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Since his retirement, he has become the go to stallion for breeders wanting a slice of the very best.

In 2008 he became number one in the world and he’s held that title every year since, apart from in 2009.

He’s the dad of champions such as Nathaniel, Frankel – now also at stud after an incredible, unbeaten career – Found and Minding.

And his growing reputation in the breeding world mean he doesn’t come cheap to those hoping to send their mares to Ireland where he stands.

Officially fees are kept private for those right at the top, but even in these times, a visit to Galileo will cost you around £600,000.

First off, any racehorse standing at stud needs to have its full tackle in place. This might sound ridiculous, but the majority of horses are gelded to keep them calmer and ensure they can race for longer.

And you have to be pretty handy on the racecourse to become a stallion. They don’t take any old four-legged animal.

At the very minimum you probably need a Group win on your CV, the more the merrier.

Those that triumph in the most prestigious races – think the Guineas, Derby, and the Arc – will be highly-sought after.

If not already owned by a racing powerhouse then the big money offers will be flying in before the horse has even finished on the track.

Once the curtain is pulled on their racing career, the owners will have the choice of standing their stallion at their own farm if they have one or selling on to a pre-existing farm.

A fee needs to be set – the better the horse, the higher the fee. These will change depending on how well the horse does. Simply, how many babies he produces to win good races.

Breeders pay this fee to allow their mare to visit the horse. I don’t need to explain what happens next.

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