FAQs

Again just give me a ring, I will be happy to help you.

Yes, quite possibly, but will you want to?

I really don’t think so, however where there is large amounts of money changing hands there will always be a temptation and doubt.  But personally I believe racing to be very straight and well policed.

I am the world’s worst tipster, yes, of course if you are brave enough to ask, but no guarantees!

YES, and breakfast if we are not too busy racing, it is just a phone call away.  It is all part of the fun of owning a racehorse

Depending on age and health, they have loads of other careers outside racing - as a hack, point to pointer, or riding club horse.  I always try to find good homes for all my horses if the owner asks me to.

Absolutely, it is imperative that you involve your friends when owning a horse, bring them to the yard to see your horse in action and of course involve them when they run.

Because I know you will be looked after and given the best possible advice, your horse will also be in the best possible hands and care.  I also have a great track record!

Because I am all of the above!  See more.

It is important that you like, trust and enjoy their company.  Also it is important to respect their ability as a trainer.

I would suggest you let me buy your horse, or use a bloodstock agent.  There are sales every month which you can attend.

I have to say no.  If you go into horseracing to make money you will be in for a shock.  It is a sport/ hobby; it is huge fun and like all things you enjoy, whether it is holidays, fishing, sailing, etc it all costs money.  In the end it is what you want to spend your money on.  Racing is fun.

Yes you can, but in the end it is something you need to talk over with your trainer as in the end you want to do the best for your horse.

Yes, but in the end your trainer will try to steer you to allow him to run your horse in the most suitable race.  There is a well known motto in racing ‘keep yourself in the best company and your horse in the worse’.

Your horse has to have a handicap rating of over 120 to qualify and enter, but in past years anything below a rating of 134 will not get a run.  The best horse in the race has the top rating of about 160 and it goes down in rating/ability from him.  Theoretically it is a lb in weight for every numerical number.

12 months of the year nowadays.  The Jump season starts in May and ends at the end of April. Flat racing goes from January 1 to December 31.

A female horse is a filly until the end of her 4th year when she becomes a Mare.

2 if they run on the Flat and 3 over jumps.

That is something we spend hours trying to do!  They have to be an athlete, i.e. a good walker, a good pedigree helps, and a kind and honest eye.  Amazingly Attraction was turned down by all!

A strong heart and toughness, that will to win and to be strong and brave enough to go through the pain barrier.  They do have to be athletes.

Point to point racing is steeple chasing for amateurs.  It is run under the sanction and regulations of the British Horseracing Authority, while each meeting is run at a local level.  National Hunt Racing is fully regulated by the BHA.

It is a Flat race run under National Hunt Rules.  These horses are not allowed to have run under Flat Race rules or have run over fences or hurdles.  Although horses that have only run in Point to Points are allowed to run in Bumpers.  These races are used as a form of education for the future.

Your horse has to run and complete the course three times in order to gain a handicap mark/rating.  Although in some instances you can gain a handicap mark after winning a race, on either your first or second run.  The higher the rating the better the horse.

You can change a horses name only up to the stage of making an entry in any sort of race, including Point to Points.  Once an entry has been made you are not allowed to change a horse’s name.  You cannot change a horse’s name that has already run.  Some people are very superstitious about changing names!

You are allowed up to 18 letters, all names are vetted by Weatherbys.  You are not allowed famous names i.e. Best Mate, Master Oats, Red Rum.  Or for that matter can you call a horse Tony Blair unless you have his written permission!  But you can call your horse after your company or make up any name that might mean something to you, alternatively use your horse’s pedigree to help.  It is fun thinking of names!

I have my own horsebox; there are several companies that specialise in horse transportation.

Entries close 5 days before a race; all entries are done through Weatherbys.  On the whole your trainer does them for you, although some big owners like to enter their own horses!

I will keep you fully informed as to when your horse is likely to run.  Race entries are five days before the race.

The lowest quality race is worth about £2,000 to the winning owner, the better the race the greater the prize money; the Grand National is worth about £500,000 to the winning owner!

National Hunt horses i.e. jumpers, race over hurdles or fences from 2 miles to 4 1/2 miles.  On the Flat, horses race from 5 furlongs to 2 1/2 miles.

They hold the purse strings of racing and administer racing under contract to the British Horseracing Board.  You have to open an account with them so that all jockey fees/ entry fees and all registration costs are paid by them usually through your account.

Yes.  You can choose your own set, providing Weatherbys allow them.  You then have to register them and have them made by Allertons.  Once you own a set of colours they are yours for life, if you want to keep them.

A total of 25% goes out of the prize money split between trainer 10%, jockey 10%, stable staff and racing charities 5%

I would normally suggest a jockey but if you had a set idea on somebody else it can be arranged subject to availability.

YES, if your horse is sponsored, (Kim Bailey Racing Ltd. sponsor the yard which you can use to sponsor your horse or you can organise your own form of sponsorship) you can then claim all your VAT on purchase price and all training fees.

Jockeys fees, i.e. what you are charged for using a jockey.  For a Jump jockey it is £141.15 plus VAT.  You then have race entry fee at £10 for the smallest race, this goes up according to the value of the race.  Transport, etc are all on my list.

About £20,000 plus VAT a year, see a complete breakdown of my training costs.

There are varying rates for Flat Racing, Jump Racing, foals, mares, etc.  It is worth looking at Weatherbys Hamilton for a direct quote; they are very good.

Whatever you would like to spend really, from about £5000 upwards; horses that have run and won on the flat or in point to points in Ireland can cost up to £100,000 plus.  But don’t be frightened by that because we can find one for you for a lot less.  There also ways of getting started without spending a great deal of money.  £25 per week for example in our Have Fun Racing Partnership.

Just give me a ring!  Seriously though there are several types of ownership to consider.