How did you get into racehorse ownership?

The RacehorseClub was brought into existence to provide ownership to give as many people as possible the opportunity to experience the benefits of racehorse ownership in top-class racehorses at affordable prices.

All the costs (including registration fees, training fees, entry fees, gallop fees, transport, jockey, veterinary, farrier, dental and physio fees, mortality insurance, etc.) are all covered by the one-off fee.

Members come from all over the world, Ireland, Britain, France, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Germany, the USA.

The club has only being going for a few months and has had a Royal Ascot winner (Create Belief) and a Grand National second in Balko Des Flos.

What was your best day at the races and why?

The club has only been going for a short while and already members have enjoyed high level success. Aintree was very special when Balko Des Flos finished second in the Grand National behind Rachael Blackmore and Minella Times. He was our first ever runner but Create Belief winning at Royal Ascot was what dreams are made of.

Johnny Murtagh recommended her and for €12,000 the club has a Royal Ascot winner and a prospective top broodmare.

One of the lucky ballot winners at Ascot said it was his first time attending on track – he reached the zenith first go!

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

At the moment not being able to get more of our members onto a racecourse due to current restrictions. We want to create a real community between our members both on and off the racecourse.

In your experience, which racecourse in Ireland treats owners the best and why?

The new Curragh provides owners with an enjoyable day out with a fabulous new grandstand and parade ring.

The Curragh is a unique racecourse with great history and since it has been refurbished it allows owners to enjoy racing in top facilities with great service.

Flat or jump racing, which do you prefer and why?

RacehorseClub is committed to both codes of the game. All racing fans are catered for.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

The horses which RacehorseClub buys will usually determine who trains them. If we feel the current trainer has done a good job, we will be more than happy to continue to support them.

Currently our trainers are Henry de Bromhead, Johnny Murtagh, Christian Williams and Michael Bell.

What improvements would you like to see racecourses in Ireland do for owners?

Having had owners attend the races from June was a massive step in the right direction. We do hope the number of people allowed onto courses will increase and bring back the atmosphere onto the track. Without owners and spectators racing just isn’t the same.

How do you think the current crisis will impact on racing in general and on ownership in particular?

The industry could lose a lot of owners due to the effects of the pandemic but RacehorseClub is inclusive and welcomes absolutely everyone to get involved and for €69 you can be part of a Royal Ascot winner.

Balko was bought after unseating at Cheltenham in the Glenfarclas Chase. A share in Balko Des Flos cost £80 and owners got their share of the National prize money and got a great winning tip into the bargain.

What can trainers or HRI do to encourage owners to keep horses in training at the moment?

Virtual content streamed to owners has helped enormously during the pandemic whether through videos and pictures at home or race reviews from jockeys etc.

We rely on huge amounts of information from our trainers so our members know exactly what is going on with their horses.

What significance do your colours hold?

RacehorseClub’s colours are broken up into segments which represents different people involved in the horses. And you can’t miss them in a race.

How did your syndicate get its name?

We wanted to make it as simple as possible for people to understand.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

RacehorseClub will only buy horses which we will feel will run at major meetings throughout the year. RacehorseClub’s aim is to give our members an opportunity to be part of a runner in the Grand National, Royal Ascot, Cheltenham Festival, Irish Champions Weekend, Leopardstown Christmas Festival, etc., for a small amount of money.

In the past to own a horse good enough to run at these meetings cost huge amounts of money in purchase costs, training fees, entry fees, vets’ fees, etc., but we are offering the ownership experience for as little as €69 with absolutely nothing extra to pay.

What horses do you have in training?

On the flat, Create Belief who won the Sandringham at Royal Ascot recently.

The Lir Jet who is also a Royal Ascot winner by winning the Norfolk last season.

Over jumps Balko Des Flos who is a Cheltenham Festival winner and Grand National runner-up.

Potters Corner who is a Welsh Grand National winner.

What’s next on the agenda?

Create Belief is now rated 110 after winning at Royal Ascot and will run in group races from now on. Her main target later in the season will be the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day.

The Lir Jet has been gelded and the Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood could be his next start.

Balko Des Flos and Potters Corner will go back into training towards the end of July with the Cheltenham Cross Country races the aims before another tilt at the Grand National.

Have you any horses to look forward to, i.e., young/unbroken horses?

RacehorseClub will be adding to our stable in the near future. We’re always on the lookout.

What would help to make Irish racing more competitive for the smaller owner/trainer?

Irish racing can’t get any more competitive especially for the smaller owner/trainer as it is of top quality in many aspects, especially the quality of the equine.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming an owner?

Join the RacehorseClub and experience the benefits of racehorse ownership without breaking the bank. If members have an introductory enjoyable experience we would be delighted to see some of our members go on to owning their own horses through a syndicate or outright.

Freddy Tylicki was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton