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.

Thursday, 9 May 2013

THE MOOSE IS LOOSE AT CHESTER

I never imagined that being involved as an owner with Mad Moose, would allow me to experience such a wide range of emotions and experiences. From our first meeting, the day before my 50th Birthday at Market Rasen, Moose has gained almost cult status through his exploits (and lack of them!!).

To have experienced the Highs (Leading him into the winners enclosure at Cheltenham last April and again after his fine Second to Sprinter Sacre in the Victor Chandler in Jan) and the Lows (Refusing to race at Cheltenham and Aintree festivals), I really thought the Rollercoaster ride was over, until that afternoon, only 2 weeks ago, when he pinged out of the stalls to beat 3 very well bred 3 year olds at Doncaster, becoming the first 9 year old to win on his Flat debut for 18 years!!

So it was, in fact, just oranges at half time, and we move into the second 45 minutes, where, remarkably, our gutsy chaser, takes on proper Group horses in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes, tomorrow, at Chester.

Moose has already proven that he is capable of absolutely anything so we travel up to Chester with Dreams intact and the well wishes of his increasingly massive army of supporters, ringing in our ears.

IT'S CERTAINLY A MAD MAD WORLD WHEN MOOSE IS INVOLVED!!


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