New to Racing

Are you thinking about racing a horse?

If you are, it would be our pleasure to assist you. In our Links directory, there is a list of bloodstock agents and racing syndications who would be very happy to help.  Below, I have listed a few steps to show how to get started:

The most important step is to find someone who has a solid reputation in the industry over a long period of time.

Make sure you feel comfortable with that person and that you have a mutual respect.                                                                

Remember they need you for their business too.  You are the customer.  Also remember, you are asking for expert advice and you should discuss this from the start.                                                                                               

Agents and some trainers charge a purchase commission on the purchase price you pay, so ensure you factor this into your pre-purchase budget.  Most trainers are happy to do inspections for free, as long as they get the horse to train.

Trainers are the most important people when you are racing a horse so be loyal, be patient, remember he/she lives, breaths and knows every move your horse makes. Ensure you receive a copy of the training fees, insurance, agistment fees, race nominations etc and know what your monthly cost are roughly going to be.

Buying a yearling the sales   

So you and the trainer / agent have selected a few yearlings. The first thing you need to do is arrange a line of credit with the sale company, sign the agent's agreement form in the catalogue, nominate the amount you are prepared to spend and who is spending it for you.  If you and the agent / trainer purchase a horse, you should sign the invoice even if you are only taking 25% and they will bill you for your amount.

Please note most people get a real buzz and are excited about buying a yearling and agree to pay (say) $25,000; the trainer / agent buys it for $60,000 and you are over the moon. He later calls you up to let you know where to send the money and then your heart sinks because your expected funds haven't come in yet.

I can't tell you how many people have said - "Sorry mate, I haven't got the money, I'm waiting for my shares to pick up again. I'm out,  sorry mate".

Get it right from the start.  Only spend what you can afford.

A word of advice at sale time

Most trainers /agents inspect and study nearly every horse over and over in their mind. When your business relies on training / buying winners, you have to give all of your focus. Give them some space and time to get the best inspections done and you will get a better chance of success by letting them do what they do best.  Make a time with the trainers / agents  before the sales start, to catch up with them and show the yearlings you like on pedigree and ask questions. They will inspect them for you.  After they have done the first inspection, they will have a second list. They may let you know how many they have on their second list or even their third list.

Then the trainer / agent will take you around to have a look at his final selections.

You then go through the final list with the trainer / agent.  You must respect the privacy of the trainers /agents' selections and must not discuss these with anyone else.  If a trainer / agent tells you "oh I love that colt but my vet didn't pass his x-rays", this has been said to you in confidence and if you want to be part of his team,  never repeat their confidential information.

When racing a horse, many of you will get excellent advice from your mates at the pub. Everyone has an opinion.  Discuss with your trainer and give him your opinion - you are paying the bills. 

Go through the race program.

Another thing - trainers don't make any money from training fees, only from prize money.  They get up every morning at 3.30am to work for you. They are placing your horse in races they think it can win.  Winning a $25,000 race is better than running 6th in a $100,000.

Racing a horse gives you such a buzz .  

When it wins, you are on a high for weeks, and your family and friends can enjoy it with you.  

Remember there are downturns and they can be hard.  I had a 10% share in filly Dancing Bridges with Gerald Ryan.  She won her 2nd start at Canterbury. At the next start, the Group 3 Sweet Embrace Stakes (lead up to the Golden Slipper), I told Gerald I had $100 on her at 250/1 for the Slipper on the Monday before the Sweet Embrace. He rings at 5.30am on the Tuesday (which trainers do when they are excited) and says - "she worked the best of the morning, mate. Can I buy half of that bet?" he asked.  Another $500 goes on by Friday.  Glen Boss is aboard her at the track - I could do nothing to settle the nerves!!!  They jump. Bossy is sitting six wide and I said to Karen - "She must be travelling well if he's that confident sitting that wide". One length of them on the turn -15 lenghts at the finish -2nd last!  Shocking ride, $600 down and was grumpy for a week but at her next start, she was only beaten by a short half head in a listed race.  

So enjoy the highs -that's what keeps us doing it.

There is no other sport that a person can win 1 million dollars ($1,000,000) in a couple of minutes.

Get on the right side of the fence - The winning side and enjoy