Having Fun With Race Horse Partnerships

By Eric Scott


Racing is called 'the Sport of Kings' because royalty has always led the way. This is partly because of the expense of getting, keeping, and competing a racing animal. However, with race horse partnerships, almost anyone can get into the exciting world of horseracing. This world is unknown to most people, but those who are part of that 'in crowd' absolutely love it.

Have you ever envied the big-hatted ladies at the Kentucky Derby, or the privileged few in the paddock at Ascot? You may never have a runner in the Derby or the Grand National, but you can wear a hat in honor of your entry in a local race, your name in the program, and your chance to be in a win picture. The thrill of seeing your own horse racing to the wire and of holding a possibly winning ticket is just as great at a local track as it would be if you were running for the roses.

And, anyway, you can always dream. In fact, the whole of horseracing is built on dreams. It's a fact that low-priced horse have won some of the biggest races in the sport, bringing a smile to their owner's faces, money to their pockets, and their names to the history books. Owners also get a win picture to hang on the wall and maybe a trophy or two for the mantle.

Perhaps you'd rather have a jumper than a flat racer. Think of tail-gate picnics with all your friends, waiting for your prancing steed to go out on the green grass track. What a thrill to watch it carry a brave jockey in your own colors around a course of tall hurdles or massive timber fences.

If your horse runs in hunt races, it will have to actually go out with hounds during the season. This means you may be able to 'hilltop' and watch hounds, red-coated staff, and a wily fox scamper over hill and dale. This is another rare experience that most people never get. To get an idea, watch that great old 'Tom Jones' movie.

One of the best things is getting up close and personal with a magnificent thoroughbred. Even if you don't do the work, you can still visit the barn area (off limits to all but owners and other racetrackers). You can watch morning workouts and decide whether you think the Queen of England is having more fun with her horses than you are with yours.

Think about meeting trainers, jockeys, and other owners as a participant in the Sport of Kings. As an owner, you can visit the barn area to greet your horse in its stall, watch morning workouts, and stand in the paddock while the racing saddle is put in place. Or, if you prefer, you can watch the action from afar, at a comfortable table in the clubhouse reserved for those with special passes.

Think about having an owner's license, or showing pictures on your phone (beats showing off your grandchildren!) You'll have a special set of racing colors, exclusive to your group. Maybe you'll end up with win pictures and an oil portrait of your horse over your fireplace. What a way to get a huge return on an investment.




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