The Cheltenham Festival is known by many as the ‘World Cup of Jumps Racing’, attracting many of the world’s finest jockeys, trainers and thoroughbreds to Gloucestershire.
While a great deal of festival wins are derived from horses that are privately-owned, the event has also seen its fair share of successful syndicates who’ve clubbed together to invest in festival winners.
These groups of individuals, friends or investors got to share in the achievements of their thoroughbreds that’ve made their mark at Cheltenham.
Joining a syndicate is one of the easiest routes into racehorse ownership, experiencing the prestige of the sport with the substantial costs of homing and training thoroughbreds. Below, we’ll explore the quarter of syndicates that have tasted notable glory in the Cotswolds countryside.
The Supreme Horse Racing Club
The Supreme Horse Racing Club own the Willie Mullins-trained Douvan, who shot to stardom at the 2015 Cheltenham Festival. Douvan was ridden by iconic jockey, Ruby Walsh, who led him to a marvellous win in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. The syndicate shared a £70,000 first prize. 2015 was a great year for the syndicate and Douvan, as he landed the Racing Post Novice Chase and the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle in the same year prior to winning the Arkle in 2016.
The French-born thoroughbred has entered 19 races since being foaled in May 2010, winning 14 of them. He ended up accruing career earnings of almost £610,000.
The Owners Group
The Owners Group is a British syndicate which owned Pentland Hills, who was entered into the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival. The Nicky Henderson-trained prospect is currently owned by hundreds of members within The Owners Group, who had paid a modest fee to be part of it all.
Pentland Hills went all the way to win the Triumph Hurdle and scoop a £70,000+ first prize. It demonstrates how high-level ownership can be accessible to anyone with a passion for National Hunt racing.
Million in Mind Partnership
At the 2012 Cheltenham Festival, the Paul Nicholls-trained Rock On Ruby was entered into the Champion Hurdle. Rock On Ruby was owned by the Million In Mind Partnership, who saw him switch from Paul Nicholls to Harry Fry’s stable.
The Champion Hurdle is one of the most notable races on the Cheltenham Festival schedule. Rock On Ruby won the race in style, announcing himself onto the National Hunt stage. In 27 races, Rock On Ruby has won 12 of them, finishing with career earnings of over £636,000 for the syndicate.
Elite Racing Club
Finally, the Elite Racing Club is another long-running syndicate which has racked up multiple Cheltenham Festival wins through the years. None more so impressive as Penzance’s JCB Triumph Hurdle success at the 2005 Cheltenham Festival. With jockey, Robert Thornton on board, Penzance powered to victory in this Grade 1 race.
All the attention pre-race surrounded Akilak, who was the favourite in the betting ring and was part-owned by Alan Shearer, who was the captain of Newcastle United at the time. However, the ground eventually proved too dry for Akilak to make an impression, with Penzance showing great endurance to prevail up the hill.
These success stories at Cheltenham prove that, by being part of a syndicate, the prestige of horse ownership can be a reality.