At the start of a new calendar year, many of us are putting some goals together for the 12 months ahead, and if you are a keen horse racing fan, owning a share in a racehorse should be one of those you get involved in. After all, life is short!

If you have been to Ludlow before, or any racecourse across the UK, you will see first-hand what winning a race of any level means to the jockeys, trainers, owners, and stable staff. They share a great deal of joy from their horse prevailing on the track. There’s a keen anticipation to any run from your horse, the thrill of the day itself, and the inevitable post-race review, hopefully a time of back-slapping and champagne, or at the very least, plans for the next outing.

Here are some of the benefits which come with racehorse ownership in the UK.

Your fireside chat with Venetia Williams

As frequently portrayed in these pages, Herefordshire-based trainer Venetia Williams is the most successful female trainer in history, and enjoying a terrific season this term. If you live local to Aramstone Stables, she would be an excellent trainer to choose to train your horse, but even if you don’t, you can be sure of a warm welcome, and an honest appraisal of your horse’s chances. Venetia is a horsewoman through and through; all her horses enjoy plenty of fresh air, being tiurned out in one of her 50 turnout paddocks each day after their work at her impressive training facility round the yard.

One of her outstanding successes came at the 2009 Grand National when Mon Mome prevailed in the world’s most famous steeplechase. She became only the second female trainer in history to win that race at Aintree, Jenny Pitman of course being the first, with Corbiere.

Williams is one of the trainers listed with RaceShare, a racing syndicate that allows you to buy shares in a racehorse. Along with other trainers such as William Haggas, Andrew Balding and John Quinn, they have a great record of getting the best out of horses.

Racing syndicates like RaceShare allow you to invest in more than one horse so you could end up having shares in horses with different trainers, including Williams. The cost is obviously much cheaper than buying a horse yourself. It’s a way of buying yourself into a string without the risk of something going wrong with a single horse.

One of the horses available to buy shares in right now is a three-year-old gelding named Jolly Nellerie. He won a hurdles race in France before moving to Williams’ operation. If it is a Flat horse you are looking to invest in, then the three-year-old gelding La Pulga could be for you. He features in the stayers’ division and he is trained by Charlie and Mark Johnston.

Supporting British racing

Without owners, the sport of horse racing would cease to exist. When you purchase a horse or buy shares in racing syndicates, you are supporting British horse racing with your investment. It is appreciated by everybody involved in the sport, but it also gives you a stake in the future of the sport as a participant, not just a spectator. This is a powerful motivation for buying in.

Trainers and staff also have the welfare of your horse at the heart of everything they do. They are looked after very well by everybody at the stable, as you will see when you visit. It should be everyone’s dream to be reincarnated as a racehorse – like a 5* lifestyle most of the time, befitting of the world’s premium luxury goods.

Hospitality at the track

As an owner on a race day here at Ludlow, and other racecourses, there are many perks that you will benefit from across┬áall of our fixtures, including a designated ownersÔÇÖ car park on arrival.

On the racecourse at Ludlow, your ownersÔÇÖ badge gives you access to the paddock and winner enclosure, owners’ and trainersÔÇÖ lounge, and all the stands at the track. There will be complementary carvery, cakes as well as tea and coffee available through to the day for you to enjoy. This is now standard practice for owners at virtually every racecourse – a fantastic welcome for those that make the show happen.

­ƒñ® What a view!

IsnÔÇÖt it just spectacular ­ƒÿì

We are so lucky to have just beautiful scenery surrounding the racecourse! Perfect for race days but also a great backdrop for any event you have coming up ­ƒÿâ#Shropshire pic.twitter.com/5ZLa6jWuzj

— Ludlow Racecourse (@LudlowRaceClub) August 1, 2022

We hope to see you at Ludlow as an owner or spectator in the near future. Our fixtures run from October through to May, so there are lots of opportunities for you to visit our family-friendly racecourse, and hopefully with a horse to follow!