Shared Ownership: A year of glory and close calls
The conclusion of the Flat racing season is a time to reflect upon the action since the turf season got underway back in April. What a summer it has been for syndicates and racing clubs. With apologies to those that I miss, it seemed worthwhile recording some of the success stories!
I have often written here that shared ownership is offering people a lower cost barrier to entry, or a chance to diversify their racehorse ownership, and that in either circumstance there is no need to give up on the dream of owning a horse able to compete at the highest level.
That has been supported by results this season where we saw syndicate-owned She’s Perfect finish first in the French 1,000 Guineas, only to be demoted, while Lazy Griff was second in the Derby. Despite the ‘so near but so far’ scenarios, Basher Watts’ syndicate owners and their Middleham Park counterparts still had memorable days.
At Royal Ascot, we had syndicate owners celebrating successes when both Docklands and Sober were successful for OTI Racing, along with Merchant for Highclere Thoroughbreds.
It is brilliant to see that Pattern-level wins almost became commonplace this season, with some of the successes including Rage Of Bamby (Hot to Trot Racing Club), Calendar Girl and Fantasy
World (Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds), Al Qareem, Marshman and Anaisa (Nick Bradley Racing), and Royal Fixation (Opulence Thoroughbreds).
Although she did not operate at that level, one of the most prolific shared ownership winners this season was Insignia Racing Syndicate’s three-year-old filly Pomme Pomme.
In training with Jack Channon, the filly took her shareholders on an incredible journey through the summer, winning five times in a row.
Syndicate manager, Tina Dawson, related: “We’ve had the most amazing season! Our filly was too backward and weak to run as a two-year-old and Jack’s advice was to wait. Everyone’s patience has been rewarded in spades!”
Pomme Pomme secured the first of her five wins at Bath, with Silvestre de Sousa on board, in a 0-55 handicap. She then went on to win her next four races with apprentice Rose Dawes (who
has built up a wonderful rapport with Pomme Pomme), riding her on three of those occasions.
Everyone who gets involved in ownership is chasing the feeling generated by having a winner, but as most owners would attest, it is an experience and not an investment!
Tina continued: “Whilst Pomme Pomme has run 11 times, winning five races and being placed in three others, her total prize-money was still only £23,341, which unfortunately will not cover her costs for the year, which is a sad reflection of the times we are in.”
Despite providing a great argument for the increase of purses, Tina is still positive about the shared ownership experience, summing it up beautifully when she said: “Pomme Pomme has typified the rollercoaster that being involved in racehorse ownership can bring. A disappointing start but boy, what fun everyone has enjoyed since, with new friendships, new experiences, and a horse who is the apple of everyone’s eye!”
Let us hope that the 2026 Flat season brings similar success stories for those involved in syndicates and racing clubs. Hopefully the results in 2025 will help to swell the numbers of people getting involved next season.