Shared Ownership Spotlight: Showcasing ownership options
The Racehorse Syndicates Association (RSA) is always looking for opportunities to promote the experience of shared ownership with the hope of attracting new owners into the sport. In recent years the RSA has supported both Great British Racing and individual racecourses that have looked to showcase syndicate and racing club ownership.
In 2024 and 2025, the RSA was delighted to work with Jockey Club Racecourses (JCR) to promote a series of racedays aimed at engaging racegoers with the concept of shared ownership.
What started out as a small series (based at the smaller Jockey Club racecourses) in 2024 developed into a 14-event series of Syndicate Showcase Racedays that took place at every JCR track throughout 2025.
The focus of each event was to provide an area where syndicates and racing clubs could highlight their offerings to racegoers and answer any questions that they have about shared ownership.Most people reading this magazine will understand just how enjoyable ownership can be, but it is vital that this message is promoted, as my personal engagement with racegoers highlights that many of them are both unaware of the ownership experience and do not realise what range of ownership options (and price points) are available, or that there are shared ownership opportunities all across the UK.
Dropping into the syndicate area on a showcase raceday allowed people to ask their questions and find out more, and many of the courses arranged chats between syndicate and racing club managers and the raceday announcer to further spread the word about the accessibility and excitement that is on offer through shared ownership.
As well as using the events as a communications platform, syndicates and racing clubs were encouraged to have runners at these events as well.
Many courses provided additional owners’ badges and other benefits to make sure that the various groups of owners had a brilliant experience.
The RSA, JCR and Great British Racing sponsored bonuses for syndicates and racing clubs who supported the events with runners and attended the racedays.
The main bonus category awarded points for runners and bonus points for winners. This was won by Middleham Park Racing, which fielded six runners across the series of racedays. The team at Middleham Park decided to donate the £3,000 prize to various racing charities who were no doubt very appreciative of this kind gesture.
In addition to the main bonus, there was a prize draw for small syndicates, which was won by Legacy Racing Club, who noted that the event that they attended was a wonderful experience for their members and really highlighted how enjoyable and accessible syndicate ownership can be. Small syndicates and racing clubs are often a labour of love for the manager or small team running them, and often deliver a more personal service, thus increasing the options available to potential owners.
After the success of the 2025 series, the RSA was keen to ensure that this was built upon and are currently collaborating with the Racehorse Owners Association to organise a further series of rcedays in 2026. This year’s racedays will be open to all racecourses and communications have recently been issued inviting them to get involved.
These events are a fantastic way for the sport to attract new people into ownership, so let’s hope that we see many more of them through the rest of the year and beyond