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Kentucky Derbys Biggest Earners

Stud Poker

by Julia Dennis Apr 22 2009
Sure, the winner of the Kentucky Derby will take home more than $1 million this month, but past champs have racked up even greater gains in retirement—when breeding fees take off. Here, estimates for the highest-earning Derby horses ever.

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Secretariat, 1973Secretariat, who died in 1989, earned relatively little. Why? He sired mainly fillies, which sell for less than colts.
Lifetime earnings: $100 million

Lifetime earnings: $211 million1

Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones, 2004Despite a pedestrian pedigree, Smarty, thanks to his speed, garnered $7.6 million in race winnings and brings in hundred-thousand-​dollar stud fees.
Lifetime earnings: $288 million1

Seattle Slew
Seattle Slew, 1977At his peak, this Triple Crown winner earned stud fees of $1 million per mare. He died in 2002.
Lifetime earnings: $411 million

Notes: All earnings adjusted for inflation. 1Projected.

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