Horse racing is consistently a fast-growing sport. It has been intertwined into cultures all around the world for centuries and can even be traced back to similar archaic sports like chariot racing which was enjoyed by the ancient Romans.
In modern times the sport follows two simple formats, flat racing which is held on a level ground, and jump racing which features hurdles that the horses have to maneuver over.
The biggest races of 2023 have now passed, with major races held over the winter months being few and far between. However, looking ahead to 2024, it is the perfect time for fans to become directly involved in the sport which garners more than a billion worldwide viewers each year.
Racehorse part-ownership
While simply watching the biggest races such as the Grand National – which is followed by more than 500 million worldwide – and the Epsom Derby is thrilling in itself, there is no doubt that racehorse ownership is the ultimate dream for avid racing fans.
This has typically been exclusive to the super-rich throughout most of the sport’s history, however, now there are ways in which people of much smaller budgets can obtain genuine stakes in competitive horses.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Did somebody say Photo Finish?! 📸<br><br>Taking a step-by-step look back at this exciting battle of the LADIES…<br><br>👩 <a href=”https://twitter.com/OsborneSaffie?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@OsborneSaffie</a> <br>🐴 Scampi<br>📍 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge <a href=”https://t.co/wSx3P9ZW0l”>pic.twitter.com/wSx3P9ZW0l</a></p>— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Ascot/status/1693261608120893742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>August 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
RaceShare for example is a syndicate that offers shares in a variety of horses that have been developed under the tutorship of some of the leading trainers in the game. Standout horse Scampi for example is a five-time winner who has been trained by three-time Classic champion Andrew Balding.
A moderate budget is now no constraint to horse ownership as shares can be acquired for as little as $46 meaning all types of racing enthusiasts can become direct financial backers of potential future champions on the field.
Racehorse clubs
Racehorse clubs offer a similar gateway to racing for a small fee. These clubs typically charge a membership fee which then allows you to receive regular updates on the variety of horses in their stables.
Racehorse clubs certainly offer enthusiasts constant racing action and a high chance of contributing to a potential winner – as they often own many horses who are of the most popular and historically successful breeds.
However, they do not offer the same level of connection as part-ownership offers. While being part of a racehorse club, you are part of a committed community of fans although it involves no genuine stake in bloodstock.
This is certainly a great way to get closer to the sport, but it simply cannot compare to possessing a direct stake in a potential champion horse.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>We’re not crying 😭😭😭<br><br>Cheers and then floods of tears for GOLDEN SIXTY’s owner Stanley Chan after his champion joins the record books with a third Hong Kong Mile win 😭😭<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/HKIR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#HKIR</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/HKRacing?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#HKRacing</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/HKJC_Racing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@HKJC_Racing</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/netkeiba?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@netkeiba</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E3%82%B4%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%83%87%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B7%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%82%A3?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#ゴールデンシックスティ</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E9%87%91%E9%8E%97%E5%85%AD%E5%8D%81?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#金鎗六十</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E7%AB%B6%E9%A6%AC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#競馬</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E8%B3%BD%E9%A6%AC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#賽馬</a> <a href=”https://t.co/oL6DVUKD9N”>pic.twitter.com/oL6DVUKD9N</a></p>— World Horse Racing (@WHR) <a href=”https://twitter.com/WHR/status/1733761916663980362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
The other way of becoming closely involved in the sport is of course full ownership of a racehorse, although this is certainly not possible for the vast majority that follow horse racing.
Racehorse syndicates and clubs have created pathways into the sport that were not possible in decades of the past. You no longer need to be born into a successful horse racing family or become a highly respected trainer to remain at the forefront of the racing action each year.
Also Read: The Roll of History: West Virginia’s Transformation from Horse Tracks to Casino Stacks
