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.

Then there's tailgating. Go in on a steeplechaser or timber horse, and then you can invite all your friends to share in the fun of a race-day picnic. You'll also get to watch your potential champion run at some lovely spot in hunt country. This kind of racing is done within a small community of like-minded country gentry.

Even better, if your horse runs in hunt races, it will have to go out with the hounds during the fall and winter hunting season. You can tag along on foot or in your car, watching the red-coated huntsman and whippers-in urge the hounds on after the fox. Perhaps your horse will jump a coop right in front of you and vanish at full speed into the mist.

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.

You'll meet jockeys, trainers, grooms and exercise 'boys', and track officials. You can lean over the rail to see your runner circle around the paddock or sit in comfort high above the track, sipping a mint julep.

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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