Navigating yearling sales and equine insurance – Dual

Ashby Underwriting is part of Dual – one of the largest MGAs that specialises in providing bespoke insurance propositions for the bloodstock and equestrian industries worldwide. We cover Derby winners, classic winners, Olympic gold medal horses and world champions.

I have long been involved in the equine world, having grown up on a farm where we had livestock and horses. This really sparked my lifelong passion for these animals.

Buying a horse at yearling sales can be a thrilling yet complex process. From evaluating the horses to understanding the nuances of equine insurance, there are many factors to consider.

This article provides practical advice for navigating yearling sales and securing the right insurance.

Understanding yearling sales

The yearling sales are a pivotal event in the equestrian calendar. These sales feature one-year-old horses, known as yearlings, that are auctioned to buyers. The yearlings on offer have been meticulously prepared to showcase their potential as future champions, making these sales highly anticipated by breeders, trainers and investors alike.

If you have purchased a yearling, protecting your investment with the right insurance is crucial. 

Types of equine insurance

• Mortality insurance: This is the most common policy type, covering the purchase price and expenses of the horse in case of death due to illness, injury, or accident. Fall of hammer coverage is important because at auction, the successful buyer is responsible for the costs as soon as the auctioneer’s hammer comes down. If a horse were to get loose at the sales ground and injure itself, the new owner must settle the auction bill.
• Major medical and surgical insurance: Covers veterinary expenses related to illness or injury. It is often an add-on to mortality insurance.
• Fertility or infertility: This type of cover is particularly important for breeding stock. It covers financial losses if a horse is unable to breed or becomes infertile.

Ashby Underwriting offers specialised insurance policies, such as coverage insuring the horse’s larynx functions properly – crucial for its athletic performance.

Another key policy covers Wobbler syndrome, a condition affecting the horse’s spinal process and nerve function, which can impact its health, safety and performance.

Choosing an insurer

• Specialised providers: Work with insurers that specialise in thoroughbred coverage because they will better understand the unique risks and needs of this market.
• Reputation and financial stability: Choose insurers with strong reputations and industry knowledge.

Insuring a horse, particularly a yearling, requires a tailored approach. Each horse is unique and so are the risks associated with them. Comprehensive insurance should cover not just mortality, but also potential veterinary expenses and some forms of loss of use.

At Ashby Underwriting, we ensure that our policies are customised to meet the specific needs of each horse and owner, providing robust protection against a wide range of scenarios.

If I were to offer one crucial piece of advice for insuring a yearling, it would be this – ensure you understand the specific needs and risks of the horse you are investing in. A one-size-fits-all policy rarely works in this industry. 

To discover more about David Ashby Underwriting, click here.