Going alone or with friends

There are several ways to enjoy ownership of a horse.

Sole owner

All the glory, but all the cost too.

As one of a maximum of ten partners

Race clubs recognise up to a maximum of ten partners racing a horse, each partner appears in the racebook as an owner and is given raceday privileges such as entrance to the members' enclosure and mounting yard.

As a member of a syndicate

A syndicate must be registered and a representative appointed.

Syndicators must be licensed (the Registrar of Racehorses can supply details). Syndicators buy yearlings at sales and then offer syndicate shares in them through advertisements in the media. You can also form

your own syndicate if you choose.



Through leasing

This popular method of racing a horse requires no up-front purchase price. The horse owner, usually the breeder, leases the horse to a partnership or syndicate as above. The terms of a lease may vary, but often the lease is for a period of three years, with no cost to the lessees except that they must pay the lessor one third of all gross prizemoney that the horse may earn. Horses for lease are infrequently advertised, but your trainer or adviser will probably know of owners willing to lease out a horse. During the term of the lease, the lessees control the racing career of the horse and in the eyes of the racing authorities, are regarded as the owners. At the expiry of the lease, the horse must be returned to the owner.