Owning A Racehorse

What is an owner?

Every horse that you see at a racecourse or at stables has an owner. The owner pays for its care, chooses a trainer and decides which races the horse will run in.

What does ‘racehorse owner’ actually mean?

It means you own or part-own a horse that takes part in races. You may have bought a horse and have full ownership, or you may own a share of the horse.

Do you have to be rich to own a racehorse?

No. It’s true that some owners are very wealthy, but lots of people start their ownership journey through syndicates or racing clubs.

What is a syndicate or racing club?

A syndicate is a group of people owning a horse together, sharing the cost and the fun. Syndicates could be small with four or five people, or they could have dozens of people in them. The more people often means less money to pay to co-own the horse, but less prize money if the horse wins a race.

A racing club is a way of getting involved in the excitement of owning a horse but without the financial commitment. Members will pay a subscription – often monthly or yearly – and that means they get updates on the horse’s progress, maybe visit its stable or go to a racecourse to watch it run. Sometimes they get to go in the parade ring before the race with the horses and jockeys. Members may enjoy the experience of being an owner but often the racehorse remains in the ownership of the racing club.

How old do I have to be to own a racehorse in the UK?

You need to be at least 16 years old to be a registered racehorse owner in the UK. If you are aged 16 or 17, you will need some adult support as you must have what’s called a ‘personal guarantor’ – that’s an adult who is already a registered owner to back your application to racing’s official governing bodies. Anyone over the age of 18 can become a registered owner.

What do owners get to do?

Go behind the scenes, visit your horse and the stables, meet trainers, jockeys and the people who look after them. And attend race days and celebrate the wins when they come along. There’s prize money too, but ownership should not be looked at as financial investment. Many people just love the fun of owning or co-owning a horse.

What is the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA)?

It’s the organisation that supports and represents racehorse owners in Britain. Think of it as an advice and support network for anyone who owns a horse.

How does the ROA help owners?

By offering advice and support as well as members’ benefits and making sure owners’ voices are heard in racing. In short, the ROA makes owning a racehorse less complicated and more fun.