Horse Racing
“And they’re off!” Horse racing of all types is found in our racing section, including Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Harness, Steeplechase and Arabian racing.
Want to get lucky? Take a look at the Wagering to help guide you. Keep track of upcoming horse races and racing events in our Calendar of Events for Horse Racing.
Want to live the dream of owning a racehorse? Check out the Breeding, Partnerships, Sales & Bloodstocks sections where you can help yourself be a force in the Sport of Kings.
Need a place to train your baby and help develop his successful career? You will find both training facilities and professional racehorse trainers in our Training section. See you in the winners’ circle!
Popular Racing Sites
Horse Racing - General Information
There are a few unique things about wagering on horse racing in Germany:
- It is one of the most popular sports bets in the country. According to a 2020 study by the German Sports Betting Association, horse racing was the most popular sport to bet on in Germany, with over 40% of all sports bets placed on horse racing.
- It is the only type of online gambling that is legal in Germany. In 2008, the German government passed a law that banned most forms of online gambling, but made an exception for horse racing. This means that you can legally bet on horse racing online in Germany, even though you cannot legally bet on other sports online.
- There are a number of different betting options available. In addition to the traditional win, place, and show bets, you can also bet on a variety of other outcomes, such as the exacta, trifecta, and quinella. You can also bet on the overall winner of a race meeting or a season.
- The betting markets are very competitive. There are a number of different betting companies operating in Germany, and they all compete to offer the best odds. This means that you can usually get good value for your money when you bet on horse racing in Germany.
Overall, wagering on horse racing in Germany is a popular and exciting way to enjoy the sport. There are a number of different betting options available, and the betting markets are very competitive. If you are looking for a fun and legal way to bet on sports, then horse racing is a great option in Germany.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when wagering on horse racing in Germany:
- You must be over the age of 18 to bet on horse racing in Germany.
- There are limits on how much you can bet on each race. The maximum bet amount varies depending on the race and the betting company.
- You must pay taxes on your winnings. The tax rate is 5%.
Wagering - Germany
DISCLAIMER: By accessing the links from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you are agreeing to the following terms and any other terms or conditions that management may see fit to impose from time to time. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses which may be incurred by any person or persons using the whole or part of the contents of the information, systems, plans, methods, competitions and games contained herein and made available on this site. Use the information provided on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site at your own risk. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not recommend an online casino or other Internet site or business, we accept no responsibility for anything which may or may not occur through any dealings you have with those other sites. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself that all businesses you deal with have a good reputation and will honor their word and promises. No gambling occurs on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC website. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC is not a casino. The EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE website may link to games which are provided on an 'as is basis' and may be played for free for fun purposes by registered members. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not promote or encourage illegal or underage gambling, or gambling to persons who reside in jurisdictions where gambling is considered unlawful. In those instances, this site is presented for informational and entertainment purposes only. By entering websites which link from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you agree that you are aware of the terms outlined herein and reside in an area where it is not unlawful to gamble online.
There are a few things that are unique about wagering on horse racing in Gibraltar.
- Low tax rates: The tax on gambling in Gibraltar is only 0.15% of revenue. This means that bookmakers and other gambling operators can offer more competitive odds, which can benefit bettors.
- Wide range of betting options: There are a wide variety of betting options available to bettors in Gibraltar. This includes traditional bets like win, place, and show, as well as more exotic bets like exactas, trifectas, and superfectas.
- Convenient access to betting: There are a number of ways to place bets on horse racing in Gibraltar. This includes online betting, telephone betting, and in-person betting at licensed betting shops.
- Regulated and safe environment: The gambling industry in Gibraltar is regulated by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner. This ensures that all gambling operators are operating in a fair and transparent manner.
Overall, wagering on horse racing in Gibraltar is a safe and convenient way to bet on the ponies. The low tax rates, wide range of betting options, and convenient access to betting all make Gibraltar an attractive destination for bettors.
Here are some additional details about each of these unique aspects of wagering on horse racing in Gibraltar:
- Low tax rates: The low tax rates on gambling in Gibraltar make it an attractive jurisdiction for gambling operators. This means that operators can offer more competitive odds, which can benefit bettors. For example, the average odds on a win bet in Gibraltar are around 10/1, compared to around 8/1 in the United Kingdom.
- Wide range of betting options: The wide range of betting options available in Gibraltar gives bettors more flexibility and control over their bets. This includes traditional bets like win, place, and show, as well as more exotic bets like exactas, trifectas, and superfectas. These bets allow bettors to win more money by correctly predicting the order of finish of multiple horses in a race.
- Convenient access to betting: There are a number of ways to place bets on horse racing in Gibraltar. This includes online betting, telephone betting, and in-person betting at licensed betting shops. This makes it easy for bettors to place bets, regardless of their location or preferred method of betting.
- Regulated and safe environment: The gambling industry in Gibraltar is regulated by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner. This ensures that all gambling operators are operating in a fair and transparent manner. This gives bettors peace of mind knowing that their bets are being handled in a responsible and ethical manner.
Wagering - Gibraltar
- 888sports 60-701 Europort, Gibraltar, GIB
- bwin bwin International Ltd, Suite 11, Europort, Gibraltar, GIB
- gamebookers 711 Europort Avenue, Gibraltar, GIB
- Stan James 1 The Square, Marina Bay, Gibraltar, GIB
- Victor Chandler/VC Bet Victor Chandler International Ltd, Chandler House, Suite 1a, 1st Floor, Leanse Place, 50 Town Range, GIB
DISCLAIMER: By accessing the links from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you are agreeing to the following terms and any other terms or conditions that management may see fit to impose from time to time. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses which may be incurred by any person or persons using the whole or part of the contents of the information, systems, plans, methods, competitions and games contained herein and made available on this site. Use the information provided on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site at your own risk. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not recommend an online casino or other Internet site or business, we accept no responsibility for anything which may or may not occur through any dealings you have with those other sites. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself that all businesses you deal with have a good reputation and will honor their word and promises. No gambling occurs on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC website. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC is not a casino. The EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE website may link to games which are provided on an 'as is basis' and may be played for free for fun purposes by registered members. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not promote or encourage illegal or underage gambling, or gambling to persons who reside in jurisdictions where gambling is considered unlawful. In those instances, this site is presented for informational and entertainment purposes only. By entering websites which link from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you agree that you are aware of the terms outlined herein and reside in an area where it is not unlawful to gamble online.
There are a few unique things about wagering on horse racing in Ireland.
- Each-way betting: This is a type of bet that pays out if your horse either wins or finishes in a certain position, such as in the first three places. This is a popular bet in Ireland, as it gives you a better chance of winning something, even if your horse doesn't win the race.
- Ante-post betting: This is a type of bet that you can place before the race takes place. This can be a good way to get better odds on your horse, but it also carries more risk, as you don't know how your horse will perform in the race.
- The Tote: This is a pool betting system that is used in Ireland. With Tote betting, all of the bets placed on a race are pooled together, and the winners are paid out according to their share of the pool. This can be a good way to get better odds on your horse, as the Tote pool is usually larger than the pools offered by bookmakers.
In addition to these unique betting options, there are also a number of other things that make wagering on horse racing in Ireland special. For example, the Irish racing calendar is packed with some of the most prestigious races in the world, such as the Irish Grand National and the Irish Derby. There is also a strong sense of community around horse racing in Ireland, and many people enjoy attending the races as a social event.
Overall, wagering on horse racing in Ireland is a unique and exciting experience. There are a number of different betting options available, and the racing calendar is packed with some of the most prestigious races in the world. If you are a fan of horse racing, then you should definitely consider wagering on a race in Ireland.
Wagering - Ireland
DISCLAIMER: By accessing the links from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you are agreeing to the following terms and any other terms or conditions that management may see fit to impose from time to time. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses which may be incurred by any person or persons using the whole or part of the contents of the information, systems, plans, methods, competitions and games contained herein and made available on this site. Use the information provided on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site at your own risk. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not recommend an online casino or other Internet site or business, we accept no responsibility for anything which may or may not occur through any dealings you have with those other sites. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself that all businesses you deal with have a good reputation and will honor their word and promises. No gambling occurs on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC website. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC is not a casino. The EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE website may link to games which are provided on an 'as is basis' and may be played for free for fun purposes by registered members. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not promote or encourage illegal or underage gambling, or gambling to persons who reside in jurisdictions where gambling is considered unlawful. In those instances, this site is presented for informational and entertainment purposes only. By entering websites which link from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you agree that you are aware of the terms outlined herein and reside in an area where it is not unlawful to gamble online.
There are a few unique things about wagering on horse racing in South Africa.
- Two exclusive operators: There are only two exclusive horse racing and tote operators in South Africa: Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Ltd. and Gold Circle (Pty) Ltd. This means that all bets placed on horse racing in South Africa are pooled into a single TAB.
- Fixed odds and pari-mutuel betting: Both fixed odds and pari-mutuel betting are popular in South Africa. Fixed odds betting is when you bet on a horse to win, place, or show, and you know your potential payout before you place the bet. Pari-mutuel betting is when all bets on a race are pooled together, and the winners are paid out based on the percentage of the pool that their horse won.
- The Scoop 6: The Scoop 6 is a popular pari-mutuel bet in South Africa. To win the Scoop 6, you must correctly predict the winners of the six selected races. The Scoop 6 is a very high-stakes bet, but it can also be very profitable if you win.
- The Tote: The Tote is a pari-mutuel betting system that is used for horse racing in South Africa. The Tote is a pool of all bets placed on a race, and the winners are paid out based on the percentage of the pool that their horse won. The Tote is a popular betting option because it offers higher payouts than fixed odds betting.
Overall, wagering on horse racing in South Africa is a unique experience. The two exclusive operators, the popularity of fixed odds and pari-mutuel betting, and the Scoop 6 all make South African horse racing a bit different from horse racing in other countries.
Wagering - South Africa
DISCLAIMER: By accessing the links from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you are agreeing to the following terms and any other terms or conditions that management may see fit to impose from time to time. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses which may be incurred by any person or persons using the whole or part of the contents of the information, systems, plans, methods, competitions and games contained herein and made available on this site. Use the information provided on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site at your own risk. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not recommend an online casino or other Internet site or business, we accept no responsibility for anything which may or may not occur through any dealings you have with those other sites. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself that all businesses you deal with have a good reputation and will honor their word and promises. No gambling occurs on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC website. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC is not a casino. The EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE website may link to games which are provided on an 'as is basis' and may be played for free for fun purposes by registered members. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not promote or encourage illegal or underage gambling, or gambling to persons who reside in jurisdictions where gambling is considered unlawful. In those instances, this site is presented for informational and entertainment purposes only. By entering websites which link from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you agree that you are aware of the terms outlined herein and reside in an area where it is not unlawful to gamble online.
There are a few unique things about wagering on horse racing in the United Kingdom.
- The variety of bets available. UK bookmakers offer a wide variety of bets, including win, place, each-way, forecasts, tricasts, and accumulators. This gives bettors a lot of flexibility in how they want to wager.
- The popularity of pools betting. Pools betting is a type of betting where all the bets placed on a race are pooled together and the winnings are shared among the bettors who correctly predict the outcome. Pools betting is very popular in the UK, and there are a number of different pools available, such as the Tote Placepot and the Scoop6.
- The importance of form. Form is very important in UK horse racing. Bettors will often look at a horse's recent form before placing a bet. This includes the horse's recent race results, as well as the form of the horse's trainer and jockey.
- The culture of horse racing. Horse racing is a very popular sport in the UK, and there is a strong culture of betting on horse racing. This means that there are a lot of people who are knowledgeable about horse racing and who can give advice on betting.
Overall, there are a number of unique things about wagering on horse racing in the United Kingdom. This makes it a very exciting and rewarding experience for bettors.
Here are some additional details about the unique bets available in the UK:
- Each-way betting: This is a bet that combines a win bet and a place bet. If the horse wins, the bettor wins the win portion of the bet. If the horse places, the bettor wins the place portion of the bet.
- Forecasts: A forecast is a bet that predicts the first two horses to finish in a race.
- Tricasts: A tricast is a bet that predicts the first three horses to finish in a race.
- Accumulators: An accumulator is a bet that combines multiple win bets. If all of the horses in the accumulator win, the bettor wins the entire bet.
Pools betting is a type of betting where all the bets placed on a race are pooled together and the winnings are shared among the bettors who correctly predict the outcome. There are a number of different pools available in the UK, such as the Tote Placepot and the Scoop6.
The Tote Placepot is a popular pools betting game where bettors predict the six horses that will place in a race. The winnings are shared among all the bettors who correctly predict the six horses, regardless of the order in which they finish.
The Scoop6 is another popular pools betting game where bettors predict the six winners of six different races. The winnings are shared among all the bettors who correctly predict the six winners.
Form is very important in UK horse racing. Bettors will often look at a horse's recent form before placing a bet. This includes the horse's recent race results, as well as the form of the horse's trainer and jockey.
The culture of horse racing is very strong in the UK. Horse racing is a very popular sport, and there are a lot of people who are knowledgeable about horse racing and who can give advice on betting.
Wagering - United Kingdom
- bet365 Hillside, Festival Way, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 5SH, UK
- Betfair, P.O. Box 34467, London, W6 9WS, UK
- Betting Directory, UK
- Betting Gods, UK
- BetUK.com Viking House, Nelson Street, Douglas, IM1 2AH, UK
- BGbet Suite B, Northfield Point, Cunliffe Drive, Northfield Avenue, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN16 9QJ, UK
- Coral Gala Coral Group, Glebe House, Vicarage Drive, Barking, Essex, IG11 7NS, UK
- Footy Tipster, UK
- IG Sport IG Index plc, Friars House, 157-168 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8EZ, UK
- Ladbrokes Imperial House, Imperial Drive, Rayners Lane, Harrow, London, HA2 7JW, UK
- Punters Lounge, UK
- SBAT Sports Betting Tips, UK
- Sporting Index Gateway House, Milverton Street, London, SE11 4AP, UK
- Spreadex The Ziggurat, Grosvenor Road, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3AW, UK
- Totesport, Westgate House, Tote Park, Chapel Lane, Wigan, Lancashire, WN3 4HS, UK
DISCLAIMER: By accessing the links from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you are agreeing to the following terms and any other terms or conditions that management may see fit to impose from time to time. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses which may be incurred by any person or persons using the whole or part of the contents of the information, systems, plans, methods, competitions and games contained herein and made available on this site. Use the information provided on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site at your own risk. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not recommend an online casino or other Internet site or business, we accept no responsibility for anything which may or may not occur through any dealings you have with those other sites. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself that all businesses you deal with have a good reputation and will honor their word and promises. No gambling occurs on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC website. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC is not a casino. The EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE website may link to games which are provided on an 'as is basis' and may be played for free for fun purposes by registered members. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not promote or encourage illegal or underage gambling, or gambling to persons who reside in jurisdictions where gambling is considered unlawful. In those instances, this site is presented for informational and entertainment purposes only. By entering websites which link from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you agree that you are aware of the terms outlined herein and reside in an area where it is not unlawful to gamble online.
There are a few unique things about wagering on horse racing in Canada.
- The availability of live streaming. Many Canadian betting sites offer live streaming of horse races, which allows you to watch the races as they happen and place bets in real time. This is not as common in other countries, where you may have to rely on delayed results or pay for a separate streaming service.
- The variety of bet types. Canadian betting sites offer a wide variety of bet types, including win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, superfecta, and quinella. This gives you more options to choose from and allows you to customize your bets to fit your risk tolerance and betting strategy.
- The potential for high payouts. The payouts on horse racing bets in Canada can be very high, especially for exotic bets like the trifecta and superfecta. This is because the number of possible outcomes for these bets is much smaller than for win, place, or show bets.
- The convenience of online betting. You can now bet on horse racing online in Canada, which makes it easy to place bets from anywhere. You can also take advantage of online betting bonuses and promotions, which can help you boost your bankroll.
Overall, wagering on horse racing in Canada is a safe and convenient way to enjoy the sport. The availability of live streaming, the variety of bet types, and the potential for high payouts make it a popular option for Canadian bettors.
Here are some additional unique aspects of wagering on horse racing in Canada:
- The pari-mutuel system. This is the system used to calculate payouts on horse racing bets in Canada. It means that the odds on each horse are constantly changing as bets are placed, and the payout for a winning bet is based on the total amount of money wagered on the race.
- The presence of racinos. These are racetracks that also have casinos on-site. They are popular in Canada, and they offer a variety of betting options, including horse racing, casino games, and slots.
- The popularity of harness racing. This is a type of horse racing that is popular in Canada. It is similar to flat racing, but the horses pull sulkies instead of jockeys.
Wagering in Canada - Resources
Wagering - Canada
DISCLAIMER: By accessing the links from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you are agreeing to the following terms and any other terms or conditions that management may see fit to impose from time to time. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses which may be incurred by any person or persons using the whole or part of the contents of the information, systems, plans, methods, competitions and games contained herein and made available on this site. Use the information provided on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site at your own risk. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not recommend an online casino or other Internet site or business, we accept no responsibility for anything which may or may not occur through any dealings you have with those other sites. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself that all businesses you deal with have a good reputation and will honor their word and promises. No gambling occurs on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC website. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC is not a casino. The EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE website may link to games which are provided on an 'as is basis' and may be played for free for fun purposes by registered members. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not promote or encourage illegal or underage gambling, or gambling to persons who reside in jurisdictions where gambling is considered unlawful. In those instances, this site is presented for informational and entertainment purposes only. By entering websites which link from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you agree that you are aware of the terms outlined herein and reside in an area where it is not unlawful to gamble online.
There are a number of benefits to owning a racehorse through a partnership. First, it is more affordable than owning a horse outright. Second, it allows you to spread the risk of ownership among multiple people. Third, it can be a lot of fun to own a racehorse with friends or family.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to horse racing partnerships. First, it is important to choose your partners carefully. You need to make sure that you are compatible with them and that you have the same goals for the horse. Second, you need to be prepared for the fact that horse racing can be a risky sport. There is always the possibility that your horse could get injured or lose races.
If you are considering joining a horse racing partnership, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Do your research. Before you join a partnership, it is important to do your research and learn as much as you can about horse racing partnerships. This includes understanding the costs involved, the risks involved, and the potential rewards.
- Choose your partners carefully. When choosing partners, it is important to choose people who you are compatible with and who have the same goals for the horse. You should also make sure that your partners have the financial resources to contribute to the partnership.
- Get everything in writing. Once you have chosen your partners, it is important to get everything in writing. This includes the terms of the partnership, the responsibilities of each partner, and the ownership structure of the horse.
Horse racing partnerships can be a great way to own a racehorse and experience the thrill of the sport. However, it is important to do your research and choose your partners carefully before joining a partnership.
Disclaimer: Equine Info Exchange, LLC is listing these organizations as a reference only and not as a recommendation. It is strongly suggested for an owner to seek legal consultants, accountants, financial and other professional advisers when considering ownership of a racehorse.
Featured Listings - Partnerships
- Jared Shoemaker, 1201 Emma Kay Blvd, Greenup, KY 41144 Phone: 1-606-922-9325 Fax: 1-606-473-1392 Email: jshoemaker@pocketacesracing.com Pocket Aces Racing LLC is a racing syndicate formed to provide affordable opportunities for individuals to enjoy the “sport of kings” through fractional ownership. Our goal is to provide all the fun and excitement that thoroughbred racing has to offer with a fraction of the financial risk, none of the hassle, and an extreme level of customer service.
Partnerships
Partnerships - United States
- Bassett Stables
- Blinkers On Racing Stable
- Bloodlines Racing
- Bona Venture Stables
- Bradley Thoroughbreds
- Brilliant Racing
- Bush Racing Stable
- California Racing Partners
- Centennial Farms
- Country Life Farm
- Crown's Way Racing
- Dare To Dream Stable, LLC
- Daytona Stable
- Don't Tell My Wife Stables
- Donegal Racing
- Dream Maker Racing
- Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
- Final Furlong Racing Stable
- Funky Munky Stable LLC
- Hibiscus Stables
- Horseplayers Racing Club, LLC
- Kenwood Racing LLC
- Little Red Feather Racing
- Masino Racing Stable
- McPeek Racing
- MJM Stable
- Pewter Stable
- Racing Factions
- RJG Racing Management LLC
- Sackatoga Stable
- Starlight Racing
- Summit Racing LLC
- Three Chimneys Racing LLC
- Uptowncharlybrown Stud LLC
- Wasabi Ventures Stables
- West Point Thoroughbreds
- Woodford Racing LLC
- Z Thoroughbred Racing
- Zilla Racing Stables
Partnerships - International
The Pros and Cons of Racing Partnerships
by James Carney
Becoming a horse owner is extremely exciting. The thrill of watching a horse you own race is one of the best feelings you can have (legally). The main problem with horse ownership is that racing is extremely expensive. The average price of a 2-year-old is right around $92,000 - (Jockey Club resource). So unless you are an accredited investor with more than $1,000,000 net worth, it will be hard to responsibly purchase a horse on your own.
There is some good news, don’t worry. The rest of us can use syndicates to get the same upside with a far less risky downside. A syndicate is where you go in with a group of people and purchase a horse. With all this upside, you do have a great downside. Which is you have less control. In a nutshell, a syndicate might be for you if you are willing to compromise some of the control to maximize on a wide variety of benefits. If this is something you’re considering, keep reading.
PROS
There are plenty of pros to why someone should get involved in a syndicate. The pros vastly outweigh the cons, in my opinion. That doesn’t mean one is better than the other, it means one is better for a certain type of person than the other. With that said, here is a list of benefits of a syndicate.
Work with the pros.
Horse racing is a sport where you can spend your entire career trying to become an expert, and end your career knowing there is still more to learn. It’s a very complicated sport with very complicated rules and regulations which may vary depending on your state or country you’re racing in. The main benefit of working with a syndicate is that you’ll be working with a horse professional who will be much more equipped to handle the administrative and day to day stress that comes with horses more so than you would be able to on your own. So what does this mean for you?
It means you won’t have to worry about how often the farrier needs to come. It means you don’t need to know what a farrier is. It means you don’t have to worry about what type of food to feed your horse. It means you don’t need to worry about what supplements to give your horse. It means a lot more too. You get the point. It means you don’t need to be an expert horseman to be part of the beautiful sport of horseracing. It ultimately means you can be an amateur horse owner and a full time horse lover and not have to worry about the stuff that gives the regular horseman a headache.
You can afford a better horse.
Lets assume you have $100,000 to spend on a horse. That’s a little more than the average price of a 2-year-old at auction in North America. If you buy that horse by yourself, you are stuck with one horse. If that horse doesn’t turn out good, you can end up losing some money.
Now lets say you decide to put that $100,000 into a syndicate. You not only get to diversify your investment, which I’ll mention later, but you also get to put that money towards a higher quality thoroughbred. That money could be put into a few horses that are worth much more. You could get a sizeable share of a few $500,000 horses when you use a syndicate. You could get several 5% shares in some $500,000 horses. Which typically the better the horse, the better the ROI.
Social Benefits
Sure, horseracing is a business for some people, but for others it’s a huge social event. Seeing pictures at the track make it seem like such a fun time, which it is. You meet all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds that you’d never meet otherwise. You can travel the world because of horses. When you do that, you will meet all sorts of people. It’s obviously more fun when you don’t have to worry about how your horse is doing. A syndicate provides you with piece of mind so you can enjoy your time at the races and hopefully in the winner’s circle.
Don’t need to worry about the legal aspect
No one likes messing around with administrative parts of the business. When you must deal with that, it really takes the joy out of the sport. Which if you haven’t learned yet, there are a lot of administrative tasks that need to be done if you own a racehorse. Some of these tasks include starting your LLC, reading through the conditions book at your home track to make sure you aren’t breaking any rules, obtaining your racing license, registering your silks, finding and entering your horse into races. A lot of that stress and admin work is taken off your plate when you are part of a syndicate. Most syndicate managers have an administrative assistant, if they don’t have one they have years of experience dealing with it and know what to expect.
Syndicates know how complicated and stressful this process can be. They want to make this process as simple as possible to help keep you as a partner.
Limits risk
It’s common knowledge that you need to diversify your investments to limit your risk. This is as true in horse racing as it is in other investment. If you have enough money to invest in horses, you will be much more successful if you spread out your investments over a few high-quality horses rather than 1 great horse. Sure, you might think that your horse is the next California Chrome, but for every California Chrome, there are hundreds of gelded horses that end up breaking even and retire as a pleasure horse. This is even more important if you aren’t a professional horseman. This is a complicated sport that people spend their entire career learning how to pick out the best horses. No matter how much money you have, if you don’t have an expert helping spread your money intelligently, you will burn out quick.
How does a syndicate alleviate that? I talked about this above during the “You can afford a better horse” a little bit. To further the point about risk. If you have your hands on 5 different horses, and 1 of them ends up losing money, you have 4 other horses to offset that cost. Imagine if you just bought that one horse that ended up losing money. That’s a quick way to burn through some cash. If you have your hands on several horses, the great ones help outweigh the cost of the bad ones.
Think of what venture capitalists do. They have the money in several companies and one of them will take off and absorb the losses of the other ones. Horse racing is very similar. You’ll have horses that you think are worth a lot and end up not being worth a lot, and you’ll also have horses you think aren’t worth that much and end up being worth a lot. The longer you’re in the sport, the more often you’ll end up on both sides of the coin. That’s what makes this sport so exciting! The only way to last long enough to enjoy the excitement is to spread your investments out to many horses. You don’t want all your eggs in one basket.
Easiest Way for a non horseman to get into the sport
To sum up the pros of syndicates, this is the best way to go if you aren’t an expert. If you want to become a true horseman, then this is a great place to start and build connections to help you along the way. If you are a horse lover and just want to enjoy the sport, this is a great place to start. You’ll be able to have fun on the ride by letting someone more qualified take care of the behind the scenes work while you enjoy the other parts of the sport.
CONS
Sure, syndicates have a lot of good things going for them. There are conferences I’ve been to that have spent hours just talking about the pros of syndicates and how to get people involved in them. But all those good things come with a cost. To boil it down to one thing, it’s the lack of control you have in the sport.
Don’t have ultimate say
A lot of syndicates have one manager. When you join the syndicate, there will be a contract you sign with the expectations from you and the manager. Typically the contract will say something about the manager having final say in what happens. They will take your thoughts and concerns into consideration, but they will have ultimate say. For instance-- There is one syndicate that will be nameless, had a horse win a few races and they had several people call and make offers on the horse. The horse was bought for under $100,000 and someone offered $600,000 and the syndicate manager turned the offers down.
I don’t know the full story on the horse and what the plans are for that horse, but a 6X ROI on your initial investment would be nice. The manager talked to other syndicate members to get their input, but it was ultimately the manager’s decision. I should mention that those decisions typically made lightly and there are several reasons why a manager would do that. The manager is dealing with 10-20 different member’s opinions. That was a delicate decision to make either way, and I’m assuming that manager did what the majority of the people wanted.
No control on where your horse races.
When you own your horse flat out, you have complete control over where your horse races. If you want to have your horse race at Santa Anita, you can. If you want a vacation and want your horse to race at Gulfstream Park, you can. There is a lot of freedom of that comes with being a horse owner, but when you’re in a syndicate then you might lose out on some of that freedom. Any reputable syndicate manager will take your thoughts into consideration, but typically they have complete control.
No control on the trainer
Typically a syndicate manager has a relationship with a group of trainers, depending on the talent of the horse, they’ll probably hire a certain trainer. If you’ve owned a horse before and used a specific trainer, you might not be able to use him with that horse.
The manager might take your recommendation for the trainer into consideration, but since the manager would already have a relationship with a few other trainers it probably wouldn’t happen.
OVERVIEW
Horse ownership can be such a rush! The main thing you should be aware of is how to manage your expectations. A syndicate is a great option for a first-time horse owner. There are a lot of benefits that come with being a syndicate partner, and in my opinion they outweigh the cons. Especially at first. If you are experienced in the sport and have owned horses before, there are different pros and cons of a syndicate. You might join a syndicate for networking benefits, for instance.
But assuming you are a first-time buyer or just an inexperienced horse owner, there are some things you should ask yourself before you jump into a syndicate or sole ownership of a horse:
- What level of experience are you and were you do want to go?
- How involved do you want to be?
- How social are you or do you want to be?
- How much control do you want to have?
These play a role in syndicate. Obviously, if you are a top notch breeder and are constantly winning races and awards, maybe a syndicate is not your best move. Flip the coin—If you are looking for a slightly above average horse and just want an excuse to go to the races, then going to a select 2-year-old sale and buying the sale topper for more than $1,000,000 isn’t your best bet either.
There are a lot of things to consider, and thankfully, a lot of resources. If you want to learn more about joining a syndicate, I can put you in touch with someone who could be a good fit for you. If you want to do some research on your own, you can check out the websites listed below to get more info on syndicates and their public records.
- www.Ownerview.com has a lot of ownership information and syndicate information
- www.Equibase.com has a lot of stats on trainers, owners, jockeys and horses. It’s a great place to go and dig into the stats of certain people and horses.
There are more interesting articles in our section on Racing & Wagering.
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DISCLAIMER: By accessing the links from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you are agreeing to the following terms and any other terms or conditions that management may see fit to impose from time to time. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses which may be incurred by any person or persons using the whole or part of the contents of the information, systems, plans, methods, competitions and games contained herein and made available on this site. Use the information provided on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site at your own risk. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not recommend an online casino or other Internet site or business, we accept no responsibility for anything which may or may not occur through any dealings you have with those other sites. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself that all businesses you deal with have a good reputation and will honor their word and promises. No gambling occurs on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC website. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC is not a casino. The EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE website may link to games which are provided on an 'as is basis' and may be played for free for fun purposes by registered members. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not promote or encourage illegal or underage gambling, or gambling to persons who reside in jurisdictions where gambling is considered unlawful. In those instances, this site is presented for informational and entertainment purposes only. By entering websites which link from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you agree that you are aware of the terms outlined herein and reside in an area where it is not unlawful to gamble online.
DISCLAIMER: By accessing the links from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you are agreeing to the following terms and any other terms or conditions that management may see fit to impose from time to time. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses which may be incurred by any person or persons using the whole or part of the contents of the information, systems, plans, methods, competitions and games contained herein and made available on this site. Use the information provided on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site at your own risk. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not recommend an online casino or other Internet site or business, we accept no responsibility for anything which may or may not occur through any dealings you have with those other sites. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself that all businesses you deal with have a good reputation and will honor their word and promises. No gambling occurs on the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC website. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC is not a casino. The EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE website may link to games which are provided on an 'as is basis' and may be played for free for fun purposes by registered members. EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE, LLC does not promote or encourage illegal or underage gambling, or gambling to persons who reside in jurisdictions where gambling is considered unlawful. In those instances, this site is presented for informational and entertainment purposes only. By entering websites which link from the EQUINE INFO EXCHANGE site, you agree that you are aware of the terms outlined herein and reside in an area where it is not unlawful to gamble online.