In previous blog posts, I have covered most of the areas that form part of racehorse ownership, and you can read these blog posts at https://www.raceadvisor.co.uk/author/phil-boyle-2/
This month I thought I would focus on how all these elements come together.
As you will see from my “About the Author” bio, I run BG Horse Racing Syndicates, through which I manage three horses. Here are some insights as to what goes into this…
My Horse Racing Syndicates Horses
The Way You Dance
The horse that BG Racing has owned for the longest is The Way You Dance. He was a flat racer who was purchased at the Newmarket Horses in Training Sales in November 2016. The intention was to turn him into a jumper, so it was pleasing to see him win on the flat, in an all-weather race, that we were using for a day out instead of giving him an extra gallop! He also won two hurdles later that year at Newton Abbot and Worcester. The following year we tried him over fences, but he did not sparkle in that sphere and, after a few runs on the flat, it looked like we had found his best conditions when he impressively won a staying hurdle at Fakenham. 2018 saw him open-up on the flat, and stay there after he finished 2nd, 1st, 3 rd and 1st in his four runs, but the year ended early with a niggling injury that would just not go away.
We were therefore full of anticipation going into this year, but things have not gone to plan. He simply has not performed in any of his races either on the flat or over hurdles, and trying to gather the views of multiple owners on whether to run on the flat, or over jumps, and whether to keep him or sell him, has certainly kept me busy. We have recently decided to move him to another trainer for a couple of months to see whether that sparks him. If not, then we may need to send him to the sales.
My Brother
We purchased My Brother in 2017 at the same sale as The Way You Dance. After giving a couple of niggles, the time came right when we ran him last summer. He finished 2nd, 4th and 3rd before heading to Cheltenham in November when he was 2nd in a competitive hurdle. The winner was subsequently a close 4th before winning another hurdle, and then sadly being fatally injured when falling at the last in contention for a 3rd win. We had high hopes for “Bruv” but he seemed to hate heavy ground, and was well beaten at Sandown and again at Fontwell, where he was 4th. After this race an injury surfaced. He is due back later this year, we are hopeful that he will get back to his Cheltenham form. If he does, he will surely win some decent races for his owners.
Fr Humphrey
With The Way You Dance out of form and My Brother injured, I was quick to take the opportunity to have a summer jumper on a free lease from his owner. This means that we pay for training, but go racing as owners and keep any prize money, before sending the horse back to his owner at the end of the lease. Having spent some time on the gallops getting fit, Humphrey should be ready to race in the next two to three weeks. It will be fun to go back to the racecourse with a runner that has a good chance of some success.
I look forward to keeping you posted on how each of them gets on, if you want to find out more about racehorse ownership then please head over to my website www.bgracingsyndicates.co.uk where you can get a free racehorse ownership guide.
Have you ever thought about owning a horse or joining a horse racing syndicate?
Maybe you’re already part of one?
If so please let me know what you enjoy most about it or why you haven’t joined one yet by leaving me a comment now.
