Freakonomics Radio 652. Inside the Horse-Industrial Complex
169 snips
Nov 7, 2025 
Mark Taylor, President of TaylorMade Farm, shares insights on why Kentucky thrives as the thoroughbred industry's hub. Former champion jockey Richard Migliore delves into the physical and mental challenges of jockey life. Emily Plant, a thoroughbred researcher, discusses the intricacies of high-end breeding practices and the economics of stud fees. The trio explores the transparency of horse auctions, modern breeding technology, and the impact of immigrant workers on the backstretch, painting a vivid picture of the industry's complexities.
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Inside Coolmore's Breeding Shed
- Emily Plant describes visiting Ashford/Coolmore and feeding American Pharoah a carrot while touring champion stallions and the breeding shed.
- She highlights the live-cover process and the danger that handlers manage during natural breeding.
Live Cover Shapes The Market
- Live cover is required for thoroughbreds, preventing artificial insemination and preserving the industry structure.
- That rule concentrates stallions geographically and helps keep Kentucky the breeding epicenter.
Early Contract Life As A Jockey
- Richard Migliore recounts signing a five-year contract at 15 and earning about $100 a week while living in a tack room.
- He later bought out the contract as it inhibited his career despite the early opportunities it provided.