The best advice here is to choose a trainer and then walk through the options with them guiding you along the way. There are a number of different trainers who can help you, and they can vary in what they offer – for example, some will run syndicates, and others will not.
It may be best to make a shortlist and approach your options at the races (try to make sure they don’t have an imminent runner though). Most trainers will also be more than delighted for you to visit their yards to see the horses in action, and discuss the business end over a coffee. So don’t be shy, get in touch, and see what options are on offer.
There a large number of trainers operating across the UK who would be only to delighted to train your horse. They vary from young to old, and in the scale of their operation – big isn’t always better, and one way or another you should be able to find someone to suit your particular needs. The best advice would be to try and talk to someone impartial who can direct you to a shortlist of trainers who best suit your situation and location.
If you are in the South East, talk to COLIN SQUANCE: Tel: 01 483 561 597 or
From anywhere else in the UK, talk to JEANETTE DAWSON: Tel: 01227-713080 or
Costs should be broken down into two:
a)The Purchase Price of the Horse – this can vary hugely, but generally start at around the £2,500 mark and can increase upwards to in excess of £20,000. Clearly spending more should increase your chances of getting a real good one but a number of top class pointers and hunter chasers have been successfully bought for between £5,000 and £10,000.
b)The Running costs of keeping a horse in training and racing – there are a number of different constituent parts to the running costs:
Training fees – this varies greatly from trainer to trainer (approximately £120 to £240 per week)
Vets bills and Blacksmiths bills
Transport to and from the races
Gallop fees (often these are included within the training fees)
Entry fees for races – point to points cost approximately £20 to enter
Qualifying subscription
Registration fees *
Insurance
* You can Point-to-Point in non registered colours, however, if you plan to run horse in a Hunter Chase the colours will need to be registered.
The Training fees normally are the main cost but it would be worth running through this list bit by bit with your trainer so you can properly budget your expenditure.
Generally your chosen trainer should help you with this process. Most have contacts with registered Bloodstock Agents and other contacts who assist them in sifting through sales catologues and using their networks to track down horses on the market. Some mainly source through Ireland, and others search the sales rings of Ascot (hosted by Brightwells http://www.brightwells.com/equine/default.aspx) and Doncaster (http://www.dbsauctions.com/). Both websites are very helpful and provide a decent guide as to what is involved.
a)On your own – the most straight forward way to operate, you hold all the cards, and working with your trainer you decide when and where you run your horse.
b)Family horse – effectively this is the same as the above, but all the family are actively involved.
c)Partnerships with friends – a very common and successful recipe for sharing the excitement and joys of ownership whilst lessening the financial burden. Rather than 3 of you having a horse each, you can share three horses and triple your chances of success!
d)Syndicates – this is a very effective at cost control, a large group (10 – 20) can share a horse or group of horses at very manageable costs, and often these are fixed at the beginning of the year, so you know your full outlay at the outset.
Apart from the anticipation and involvement you receive when owning a racehorse, there are a number of practical benefits:
Prize Money – Point to Point prize money varies from £150 to £300 for a win, and then in decreasing tangibles for second, third and sometimes even fourth place. If your horse is good enough to graduate from Point to Point’s to Hunter Chases, then the potential prize funds increase into the thousands.
