IT’S been said that syndicates are making a comeback in recent times and John Battersby can certainly attest to that.

Based in Garristown in north Co Dublin, John has been involved in racing syndicates since the late 1990s. He reports a surge of interest from new members lately and now the John Battersby Racing Syndicate has eight racehorses. Six of them are mares and two of them won bumpers recently – both earning an extra €5,000 through the Weatherbys ITBA NH Fillies Scheme.

In December, Eabha Grace won at Thurles and in January Knockanard Lady won at Punchestown. Both fillies took their chance in the Grade 2 mares’ bumper at Leopardstown a fortnight ago and, while they had no luck there, the pair are likely to win again.

“I had an interest in racing from a young age,” John told us this week. “I’ve been involved in syndicates since 1997 and we had our first big success in 1999 when Berkeley Run won the Goffs Land Rover Bumper for trainer Sean Treacy.”

In recent times, John has divided his interests mainly between trainers Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead. Some are bought and some are leased from breeders, such as Tom Meagher of Kedrah House Stud and Ken Parkhill of Castletown Quarry Stud. Sam Curling and Liam Cusack look after the pre-training.

“A few of us who frequent Gormley’s pub in Garristown always have a horse with Henry de Bromhead. Full Cry was our most recent winner with him. Separately I also have a share in Kemboy with Willie Mullins. The day he won the Punchestown Gold Cup, Ruby Walsh’s final ride, was probably my best day in racing to-date.”

On a recent visit to Closutton, John was asked by the champion trainer if he would have any room for five lads from Limerick who were looking to get involved in a syndicate. They were duly signed up and, as John keeps a stake of between 30% and 50% in each horse, there is room for a few more. John says: “I must mention Ciaran Rigney. He sets up a WhatsApp group for each horse in the syndicate and posts regular updates on running plans and how they are training.”

John takes an interest in point-to-points too and was introduced to point-to-point handler and trainer Pat Doyle by Liam O’Gorman, breeder of Knockanard Lady. Pat and his syndicate duly took an interest in the mare, a daughter of Fame And Glory who is closely related to Irish Grand National winner Thunder And Roses.

Special

The syndicate were well looked after at Punchestown when Knockanard Lady won, a day made more special as the mare was a first winner for Pat Doyle’s daughter, Susie.

John was well aware of the Weatherbys ITBA National Hunt Bonus Scheme, having nominated the two mares himself. “It’s a great incentive,” he says.

“For 250 quid, you put yourself in line to win a €5,000 bonus if the mare wins a bumper, a hurdle or a chase. With a bit of luck you could win three bonuses with a filly. It’s one of the reasons we target fillies. The race programme for fillies is much improved. It’s the best route for us to get involved.”

Email: john@jbracing.ie