Stud fee at $200K for Triple Crown champ American Pharoah

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah will stand at stud for $200,000, one of the highest prices for a horse in his first year as a stallion.

The fee was set by Ashford Stud, which operates as Coolmore's American breeding facility in Versailles, Kentucky.

The colt's breeding rights were purchased from owner Ahmed Zayat for an undisclosed amount earlier in the year, with reports putting the figure between $15 million and $20 million.

A stallion typically books up to 200 mares in a year, which means American Pharoah's first-year worth could be $40 million. The colt earned $8,650,300 on the track with nine wins in 11 races.

Zayat has said he retains an interest in the horse, but would not disclose specifics.

American Pharoah capped his spectacular career with a victory in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on Oct. 31. Two days later, the 3-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile was vanned about eight miles to Ashford.

After sweeping the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, American Pharoah became racing's first Triple Crown winner in 37 years and 12th overall.

Pioneerof the Nile stands at nearby WinStar Farm, and his stud fee rose to $125,000 from $60,000 this year as American Pharoah kept winning races.

Tapit is the leading sire in North America, and the 14-year-old stands at Gainesway Farms for $300,000.