Learning All About Racehorse Partnerships

By Stacey Burt


Few people know firsthand the thrills of owning a race horse. Being on the inside of 'the sport of kings' is one of life's ultimate satisfactions. From the sanctum of the backstretch to the privilege of the paddock, being an 'owner' is, for many, worth the heavy cost. Racehorse partnerships open this world to those either unable or unwilling to shoulder the cost alone.

Owning a share of a horse gives a person all the rights and privileges of an 'owner' (a license-carrying status) without the expense that sole possession entails. Keeping a horse at the track involves training fees, perhaps stall rental, daily maintenance feed and grooming costs, farrier and jockey fees, and entry fees. In all cases, at least some vet bills will be incurred, and injury can involve both expense and time.

However, owners can visit the backstretch, or the stable area, which is strictly off-limits to all but licensed personnel. Many feel that sharing the hustle and bustle of early mornings, the peace of afternoons, and the focused activity of race time prep is the best part of it all. Sometimes owners can talk strategy with the trainer, another fascinating part of racing.

Owners also get free admission to the clubhouse and grandstand, can enter the paddock, and can be in the win picture if their horse crosses the finish line first. Talk about a great wall decoration. This is the crowning touch to it all.

There are opportunities to join a partnership online. Thoroughbreds, standardbreds, and quarterhorses are all open to this form of ownership. Some of the top stables in the sport offer well-bred, fast horses to qualified people. One advantage to online opportunities is that the horses offered are already racing and in many cases have proved their ability to win and earn money.

Of course, going into this with an eye to making money is as risky as any investment on earth. Most winnings - if any - are taken up by expenses. The main rewards are being on the inside of a great sport, sharing the thrill of victory, and getting all the bragging rights that owning a racehorse affords. Investors who want monetary gains might want to have many shares in different animals, to minimize the risk of injury or loss.

A written agreement is truly necessary in this arena, to cover eventualities like failure to pay, wanting to sell out, or distributing insurance pay-outs. Problems arise usually because responsibilities are not spelled out for all parties. Trustworthy partners are important, since problems lessen the fun - which is the main point of the whole thing, after all.

There is a lot of information available about both the sporting side and the legalities of horseracing partnerships. This is an exciting way to have a lot of fun, if everything is correctly structures and operated.




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