I dreamt of owning a racehorse ever since those first vists to Taunton Races at the age of 11. Those dreams came true when my friends and I bought our first horse, a 4 year old mare called Tashlee Grove in training with our friend Brian Forsey when I was 18. She never got to the racecourse but a few horses later I had my first ever winner in my own colours on 14th May 1991, when Lady Primrose won a selling handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot under young jump jockey Carl Llewellyn (who went on to win the Grand National on Party Politics the following spring).

There followed one more winner in my colours (Aldahe at Lingfield Park over hurdles) before grown up things like work, mortgage, marriage and children took up more of my finances. I became a serial Syndicate member with Elite, Full Circle, Henry Ponsonby to name but a few before I took a share in Outset with Mark Kilner Racing. Outset was very successful on both the flat and over jumps and took me to some big racedays which gave me a taste of the life of the owner.

In Autumn 2005, I took the plunge and took a share in a 2 horse syndicate with Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. The 2 horses were Squadron trained by Amanda Perrett and Treat trained by Mick Channon. Treat surpassed all my wildest dreams by finishing 2nd in the Fillies Mile at Ascot as a 2 year old and then 4th in the 1000 Guineas before eventually being sold to Sheik Mohammed to stand at Darley Stud in Japan.

In Jan 2008, I bought into my first horse managed by Middleham Park Racing, Bonnie Prince Blue, quickly followed by my first 2 year old Victoire de Lyphar. I have become very impressed by the syndicate and Nick, Tim and Mike who run it and have got carried away to the extent of now owning shares (generally 5 percent) of 18 different horses in separate syndicates with MPR.

I thought I would share my thoughts and experiences with anyone who might be interested. If you have any interest in racing, I hope that my experiences may tempt you into the wonderful world of racehorse ownership.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog.

Sunday, 10 March 2013

IS IT MADNESS TO BELIEVE WE CAN WIN AT THE FESTIVAL?

It's Cheltenham Eve and I'm lucky enough to have an interest in a horse entered in two races this week, giving me the chance to have a runner at the Festival for the second year running.

MAD MOOSE exceeded all expectations last month when finishing an amazing second to Jump Racing Superstar SPRINTER SACRE in the Grade 1 Victor Chandler Chase. This was Moose's best ever performance and earnt him a 5lb rise from the handicapper. During the week we toyed with the possibility of spending £17,500 to supplement Moose for the Champion Chase and another showdown with the Sprinter. In the end all horses stood their ground,, so we decided to stick to the handicap route of either the Byrne Group Plate over 2m 5f on Thursday or the Grand Annual over 2m on Friday. As Sam Twiston-Davies gets on so well with Moose, we will run where Sam is able to ride, with Moose being pretty adaptable between 2m and 3m.

As the weeks have approached, my enthusiasm and positivity have increased and I cannot see how Moose is not a much shorter price for either handicap, given his last run. I'm sure if Somersby was entered off Moose's mark he would be single figures but Moosie stands at a lovely 33/1 for either race, to my biased mind, an enormous price given his brilliant course form.

But surely the bookies can't be wrong, His 2nd to Sprinter Sacre must have been a complete fluke, as must his previous good runs against Top Class opposition.Surely he can't win a big Cheltenham Handicap off his increased weight - after all, these races are won by unexposed types from France (usually trained by Henderson, Nicholls or Pipe)




But Moose doesn't know how to run a bad race and come race time his loyal owners will lap up the atmosphere in the Parade ring before young Sam comes and explains how he is going to win and then we will make our way up to the viewing steps to watch through shaking binoculars.

He's already given us some amazing days and we love him to bits (as do his adoring Cheltenham Fan Club), but if he could get us into the winners enclosure, then Dreams will be coming true.

AND WHAT ABOUT IF HE WINS.............................

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