FAQs
The Syndicate
What does the share price cover?
The upfront payment includes the purchase price of the horse, agent's commission (if applicable), ‘GBB’ bonus registration (if applicable), transport to your horse’s trainer, and training fees up to the month when the monthly payment begins.
When do the monthly fees start?
This is clearly specified for each horse that we launch but, typically, it will be 4-6 months after the horse was purchased.
What do the monthly fees cover?
All the costs associated with the training and racing of your horse- trainer’s fees, vets, transport, jockey, Weatherbys administration and VAT registration- and RaceShare’s service fee for providing the ownership experience.
Are there discounts on the monthly fees for larger shareholdings?
Yes. Full details are available on each horse’s page on our website.
Do I have to pay any further costs?
No. If your horse was to run abroad then prize money funds would be used to cover the additional travel costs. If these expenses are not covered by overall prize money won by your horse during the syndicate term, then the loss will be absorbed by RaceShare.
Do I pay VAT?
No- owners’ payments to RaceShare don’t include VAT. We cover any VAT on expenses and reclaim it from HMRC.
How many owners are in each syndicate?
Typically, 15-25 for our 40-share syndicate, 40-50 for 100 shares & 200-300 for 500 shares.
For how long am I committed as an owner?
When launching a new syndicate, we specify the initial period for the monthly payments. This will be for a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 24 months.
What happens after that?
The syndicate will continue until the horse is either sold or retired. Any owner who wishes to relinquish their share at this point can do so by giving one month’s notice to RaceShare. We may be able to buy your share from you, but this cannot be guaranteed as it depends on the situation at the time. However, RaceShare does guarantee to cover the ongoing costs of the horse once a share is relinquished.
The Benefits
How is prize money distributed?
You will receive your share of all net prize money won by your horse, after deduction for entry fees- and this will be distributed in November of each year.
What happens with winners’ prizes and trophies?
We conduct a ballot for these amongst all owners in the syndicate.
What is the naming process for my horse?
If a horse is unnamed upon purchase, then we will ask you to submit a name suggestion. A shortlist will be selected by the management team, then put to a vote.
Can I be named in the racecard?
Yes. If you purchase a stake of 25% or more in a horse, you have the option to be named in the racecard as a co-owner.
Can I buy a share as a gift?
Yes. Full details are available on our website.
Can I see my horse at the trainer’s yard?
Yes. We organise two stable visits to the trainer's yard each year. With our 500-share syndicate, you are guaranteed a place on at least one of these, whilst in our 40 & 100 models you can attend both and bring a guest. We film the visits in full so that anyone who doesn't make it can get an experience that is as close to being there themselves as possible.
Do I receive an owners’ badge when my horse runs?
We strongly encourage owners to come and enjoy a day at the races with us whenever your horses run.
Racecourses allocate a certain number of owners’ badges for each horse. These permit free entry to the course and use of either the Owners & Trainers facilities or Syndicate Lounge. Access to the paddock & winner’s enclosure is limited for safety reasons so, on occasions, this may be restricted. For example, we may be allocated 20 badges, but only 8 with paddock access.
As an owner, you have a very high chance of receiving a badge. For our 500 & 100 share syndicates, we hold a ballot amongst owners if demand exceeds our allocation (although this is very rarely needed with the latter), and in our 40 share syndicates you are guaranteed a badge each time your horse runs (except for major racing Festivals as some racecourses limit the number of badges per horse at such meetings- please see our Terms & Conditions for further details of these).
Is it possible to get additional badges when my horse is running?
If we have spare badges from our allocation, then we offer these to anyone who would like to bring a guest. We also liaise with racecourses to obtain discounts on additional entry tickets for our owners & their guests wherever possible.
How do I receive updates on my horse?
When you purchase a share, you will be automatically enrolled in all communications from RaceShare. In your dashboard on our website, you will be able to turn on/off the different forms of communication. In addition, you will be invited to join a video call with your trainer every couple of months during the season to hear the latest news on your horse and ask any questions that you may have.
General
Who decides where and when my horse will run?
All decisions relating to the training, entries and declarations of a horse are made by the trainer. We share this information and the decision-making process with you, so that you know how your horses are doing, what plans are being discussed, and why.
Who decides whether a syndicate horse should be retired?
The best interests of a racehorse are always at the forefront of the trainer's mind. When they recommend a horse should be retired, then the RaceShare team will review the position, but we would expect to agree.
What happens to a syndicate horse if they are retired?
The retirement and rehoming of a RaceShare horse is taken very seriously. We work closely with our network of contacts and the RoR (Retraining of Racehorses) to determine the best route for each horse post-racing.
Is my horse insured?
No, we don't insure the horses. However, this would be reviewed as and when a horse became highly valuable. In these circumstances we would discuss insurance options and costs with all owners, before deciding to run a vote on the decision on whether or not to insure a specific horse.
Can I expect to make a return on my investment?
Buying with RaceShare should be for entertainment and is not recommended for investment purposes.
Can I sell my share?
Yes, you can sell your share at any point. If this happens prior to the end of the initial syndicate term, we may be able to buy your share from you, but this cannot be guaranteed. Of course, if you have found an owner for your share, then we will be able to transfer the ownership to them.
Is there a chance my horse could be good enough to be considered for breeding?
Whilst it’s not expected that the most horses will become a valuable broodmare or sire proposition, we are focused on selecting and buying horses that have the pedigree, and potentially the ability, for that to become reality.
If this became an option, then RaceShare would propose this to all the syndicate owners. A vote would take place on whether to start a new breeding syndicate or sell the horse. If a majority of owners voted to keep the horse for breeding, then a new syndicate contract would be discussed and created.
Does RaceShare fully comply with the British Horseracing Authority's Syndicate Code of Conduct?
Yes, the British Horseracing Authority has checked our T&C’s and approved them.