Discussion
I've got the opportunity for part-ownership of a race horse with 3 friends. Now, I'm not exactly John McCricket, and although these 3 friends are quite close and trustworthy, I really couldn't tell the difference between a Derby winner and a nag.
It's a few grand each we're talking about here. It might be a good investment, but with all the corruption in horse racing I could do with some advice.
Any owners on here? Or anyone with experience of anything horsey?
It's a few grand each we're talking about here. It might be a good investment, but with all the corruption in horse racing I could do with some advice.
Any owners on here? Or anyone with experience of anything horsey?
Don't do it unless it's money you won't miss. You could get lucky and do well out of it, but from what little I know of the area it's more a fun thing to do - you know, it's cool to cheer "your" horse on at Ascot type of thing.
The trouble with racehorses, no matter how good they are, is that some injuries can see them being retired from racing. Or shot. And what if your horse is out of action for a while due to something as mundane as being kicked by another horse out in the field? Will you have to cough up for vets' bills? Make sure you know exactly what you'll be expected to pay for.
The bottom line is that very few people make serious money out of racing. If you've got the spare cash and you enjoy that kind of thing, go for it.
HTH!
The trouble with racehorses, no matter how good they are, is that some injuries can see them being retired from racing. Or shot. And what if your horse is out of action for a while due to something as mundane as being kicked by another horse out in the field? Will you have to cough up for vets' bills? Make sure you know exactly what you'll be expected to pay for.
The bottom line is that very few people make serious money out of racing. If you've got the spare cash and you enjoy that kind of thing, go for it.
HTH!
SGirl - Ta for that. Yeah, your right, it isn't exactly loose change they're asking for the horse. Trainers are too hard to find around these parts (I'm about 4 miles from Haydock) but they charges seem excessive, but being ignorant about these things it may be the going rate. Maybe I'm better off with ostrich eggs! 
moleamol - Awreet man. We meet the first Saturday of every month, so the next one is the 2nd of November. Try and make it. I keep telling everyone about that Integrale of yours!
moleamol - Awreet man. We meet the first Saturday of every month, so the next one is the 2nd of November. Try and make it. I keep telling everyone about that Integrale of yours!
Who is it exactly that meets? Just none Pistonhead using Pistonheads? What sort of cars turn up?SGirl's got it spot on - racehorse ownership isn't a sure-fire means of making pots of cash, but if you can spare the funds to buy and fund the horse and would enjoy the ownership experience, why not. Bit like buying a Tiv, really!
There's quite a bit of useful info here: www.bhb.co.uk/ownership.asp
I don't think you should be too swayed by some of the sensationalist stuff on the Panorama report. With so much money in the sport in the form of betting, there are bound to be temptations for the more dodgy types in society, but the impression created by Panorama was way over the top, I think. Lots of things which have nothing whatsoever to do with corruption can cause a horse to run unexpectedly badly, and are just part of the ups & downs of ownership.
What sort of horse are you considering buying - flat or NH? Have you got a trainer in mind?
There's quite a bit of useful info here: www.bhb.co.uk/ownership.asp
I don't think you should be too swayed by some of the sensationalist stuff on the Panorama report. With so much money in the sport in the form of betting, there are bound to be temptations for the more dodgy types in society, but the impression created by Panorama was way over the top, I think. Lots of things which have nothing whatsoever to do with corruption can cause a horse to run unexpectedly badly, and are just part of the ups & downs of ownership.
What sort of horse are you considering buying - flat or NH? Have you got a trainer in mind?
Podie said: Got dragged along to Badminton Horse Trials this year... not amused.
Podie, if this happens to you again, let me know. I'd be more than happy to stand in for you! And not to view the young ladies in joddies, either.
Badminton is one of the best equestrian days out in the UK. Excellent fun!! AlexR - I'm told it's a National Hunt horse, but with the horse being a 3 year old I thought this was a little young. As I said, I've very little experience in these things. I suppose I should find out about its history, especially its dad apparently.
It's a lot of money to part with for what I know about them, but then again I did buy an Elise and I'm no mechanic!
>> Edited by Spooky on Wednesday 16th October 12:12
It's a lot of money to part with for what I know about them, but then again I did buy an Elise and I'm no mechanic!
>> Edited by Spooky on Wednesday 16th October 12:12
AlexR said: SGirl's got it spot on - racehorse ownership isn't a sure-fire means of making pots of cash, but if you can spare the funds to buy and fund the horse and would enjoy the ownership experience, why not. Bit like buying a Tiv, really!
The only difference being that you'd never be allowed to ride your own racehorse! You probably wouldn't want to anyway - some of the ex-racehorses I've ridden were total nutters.
Racehorses are best avoided as investments - consider chipping in if you like the idea but don't expect a return unless you know a fair bit about the horse and it's lineage (which, as you say is a good indicator but not foolproof).
It's not called the sport of kings for nothing, rich men can become richer from the sport, but a part share in a horse is highly unlikely to yield more than a few days out with access to bits of the racecourse the plebs aren't allowed into.
If your Elise breaks down, it can be fixed - if your horse goes lame (and many do), it's the glue factory and no money back for you....
It's not called the sport of kings for nothing, rich men can become richer from the sport, but a part share in a horse is highly unlikely to yield more than a few days out with access to bits of the racecourse the plebs aren't allowed into.
If your Elise breaks down, it can be fixed - if your horse goes lame (and many do), it's the glue factory and no money back for you....
Spooky said: AlexR - I'm told it's a National Hunt horse, but with the horse being a 3 year old I thought this was a little young. As I said, I've very little experience in these things. I suppose I should find out about its history, especially its dad apparently.
They can start running in "NH Flat" and hurdle races from 3 years, although the real jumping-bred types might not get going until a year or so after that and 3yo hurdlers are often ex-Flat horses. NH has a higher attrition rate - more risk of injury, and prize money is a bit lower than the Flat, but if your horse stays sound it could race until it's 12 or 13 years old whereas active 10yo flat horses are a bit of a rarity. Less chance of income from stud fees with a NH horse as most of the chaps have had "the op". The breeding's a guide but no guarantee - Red Rum was bred to be a sprinter! - and cheaply bred horses can sometimes turn into real money spinners if you strike lucky. That site I mentioned has details of training costs in the Trainers Directory so you could check there to see how representative the costs you've been quoted are.
Hope this helps !
Mark Benson said: If your Elise breaks down, it can be fixed - if your horse goes lame (and many do), it's the glue factory and no money back for you....
Not automatically - depends on the severity and type of injury (and I suppose on the funds available for vet's bills, which can be substantial).
Spooky said: Its the same place. The Crown in Standish (near Kilhey Court).
There's a mix of people and cars. Most of the codgers haven't heard of PHbut I'm trying to educate them!
What do you mean by codgers? Hope they're not too bad, I'm only 23 you know, don't want any jip for being a young 'un
Just a thought - has the horse you're looking at ever raced before? If it has, find out its name and enter it in the Racing Post database search, top right of this page:
www.racingpost.co.uk/horses
(There evidently was an equine "Spooky" some years back but you wouldn't have made much money backing it...!)
Edited to say - do a search for "Cerbera" on that site...interestingly named owner!!! Can only have been the man himself, surely ?!?
>> Edited by AlexR on Wednesday 16th October 13:53
www.racingpost.co.uk/horses
(There evidently was an equine "Spooky" some years back but you wouldn't have made much money backing it...!)
Edited to say - do a search for "Cerbera" on that site...interestingly named owner!!! Can only have been the man himself, surely ?!?
>> Edited by AlexR on Wednesday 16th October 13:53
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