- Affordable ownership
- Owners badges for each race you want to attend
- Visit the stables whenever you like
- Meet our trainers and jockeys
- Join us in the parade ring
- A club dedicated to maintaining personal contact with
all its members
- Organised club racing trips / hospitality
At On The Bridle we share a love of horses, a love of racing
and a love of success.
Each year many millions of people enjoy a day at the races.
For a few of us we have realised that ownership takes that
experience to a new level. There is nothing like being on
the inside, getting to know your horse and his own unique
character, being close to the trainer and watching top jockeys
go to work.
At the On The Bridle Racing Club we believe that everyone
should be able to enjoy the sport of kings. Our aim is to
provide the thrill and enjoyment of racehorse ownership at
a cost to suit most budgets.
We seek to establish and maintain a bloodstock portfolio
of high quality, capable of winning races. On The Bridle is
primarily involved with the recruitment of prime National
Hunt bloodstock, with a more limited selection of flat bred
recruits.
All our horses are carefully selected in conjunction with
Bloodstock Ireland our appointed bloodstock agents. Operating
from their headquarters in Belfast, Bloodstock Ireland cover
all of the major sales events in Ireland, England and France,
as well as having access to some of the finest privately sold
stock on the market. Bloodstock Ireland's Kevin Ross works
closely with us, advising on prospective purchases and bidding
on our behalf at auctions and sales in the UK and abroad.
Kevin is a former professional jockey with a wealth of experience
in buying horses. His is also responsible for the housing
of our young stock, and breaking and preparation of our horses.
We are always on the lookout for good horses to add to our
stable.
Over the past few decades the involvement of hugely wealthy
Arab Royal families from the Middle East have transformed
the face of racing. The additional finance they have brought
to the sport has had many positive effects such as creation
of jobs in racing and improvements in breeding / bloodstock
programmes. It has however made the it impossible for the
average person to buy quality bloodstock and enjoy the benefits
of owning high quality horses.
Before we extol the virtues of race horse ownership here
is a sobering warning to all.
Horse racing is by its very nature a risky enterprise with
no guarantee of success - most horses never win a race. Our
ownership schemes are intended primarily to provide entertainment
and enjoyment, and should not be considered as a financial
investment. Although it is possible to make profits from involvement
in horse racing, On The Bridle, its agents and representatives
make no warranty, representation or guarantee, express or
implied, of any financial return. Please consider carefully
if your own particular financial circumstances allow you to
participate.
The On The Bridle Racing Club provides a means to participate
in group ownership of hand picked bloodstock in both National
Hunt and Flat racing.
There are three main benefits to group ownership of a horse;
- 1. Diversification - a key strategy in any investment.
No matter how good the breeding or pedigree no-one can provide
a guaranteed winner (no matter what their marketing literature
tell you). Using group ownership you can invest in several
horses for the price of owning one. This dramatically increases
your potential for profit and the number of live runners
you have in a season.
- . Pooled Resources - increases your buying power and allows
the purchase of higher quality stock. It is better to own
10% of good horse, than 100% of a poor one.
- . Professional Management - All of the work is done on
your behalf, leaving you free to enjoy the thrill of the
racecourse.
Group ownership is rapidly changing the face of thoroughbred
ownership. You no longer have to be royalty or a lifelong
horseman to indulge your love of the sport. We provide the
easiest and most affordable way to become a thoroughbred owner,
and as well as your own group of owners you get to share in
the experiences of all our other members and their horses.
There are two methods of group ownership.
- Partnerships - A partnership is a group of 2 to 20 owners,
having ownership of one horse.
- Syndicate - A syndicate is a larger group, usually having
ownership of more than one horse.
All of the On The Bridle horses are run as individual partnerships,
under the umbrella of the OTB Racing Club. They are exclusive
partnerships of between 8 and 12 shares per horse. The OTB
Racing Club retains at least one share in all of the horses.
This ensures each participant has a meaningful interest in
his or her chosen horse, and are not just a number in a huge
syndicate. It introduces and maintains a more personal and
sociable atmosphere, because our racing club is not just about
our love of horses but also about meeting people from other
walks of life and sharing their enjoyment in a common interest.
To promote this social aspect, our owners are encouraged
to visit the stables to see their horse in training and to
attend race meetings not just when their horse has a race,
but also when other horses in our partnerships or from our
selected stables are running.
For those of you with an interest in bloodstock we are always
happy to organise visits to bloodstock sales or auctions.
Partnership costs include a "one off" payment to
cover the initial purchase cost of the horse, followed by
a set monthly payment. The monthly fee is all inclusive and
covers all operating expenses such as training fees, gallops
fees, blacksmith, vets fees, jockeys fees, entries and transport.
Unlike other horse racing syndicates you are officially registered
with Weatherbys and the British Horse Racing Board (BHB) as
an owner.
As well as your own partnership you will also be kept up
to date with news from all our other partnerships, and our
programme of club events allows you to meet and socialise
with our other members.
Access to the confidential members area of this site is provided
to each owner. This covers news and information on all our
horses and other runners from our selected trainers. This
is not a tipping service, but does give you access to information
not available to the rest of the racing public.
All owners are provided with an entry badge for all race
days, including access to owner and trainers facilities at
the race course. The chance to meet your trainer and jockey
in the parade ring, not to mention your share in any prize
money won by the horse. First and foremost our club is aimed
at helping you to enjoy the spectacle and atmosphere of the
race day, ensuring you always have a great day out.
Club Newsletters
At On The Bridle we take pride in keeping our owners informed.
Part of the excitement of ownership is the supply of information
from the trainer and other stable personnel. Keeping you up
to date with all of the "Ups and Downs" is central
to our philosophy, and all owners receive a copy of the club
newsletter on an monthly basis. This covers the progress of
all of our horses in details, and gives you a full picture
of the latest developments.
Current Partnerships
The club currently has a number of horses in ownership.
Bobby Dazzler is a five year old gelding by Bobs Return in
training with Nigel Twiston-Davies. Bought as a potential
three mile chaser he has excited connections by showing some
unexpected ability over hurdles winning a maiden and a novice
hurdle. He would undoubtedly have captured a couple more had
we been able to find some decent jumping ground, but having
run out of time he has gone out to grass for the summer. We
cannot wait to see what next season brings.
Danehill Dazzler is a 2-y-o filly in training with Alan Jarvis.
Bred to stay she will start in a 6f maiden in late June. We
will assess her future potential at the end of the flat season.
The club also has a number of unbroken store horses, which
will constitute some of our future racing stock.
Trainers / Stable Visits
Unlike some of the major organisations who specialise in
the syndication of bloodstock we prefer to concentrate on
a small number of trainers.
Our personal relationships with our trainers means that our
members are always welcome to make stable visits without prior
arrangement, including watching the horse work on the gallops
We place our horses with trainers who will get the best out
of them, and provide the highest possible standards of care
for their horses.
Racecourse Hospitality
During the year the club organises a number of racecourse
hospitality events.
Basic Partnership Guidelines
Upon buying a share in any of our horses the owner will be
asked to sign our partnership contract which details the basic
terms and conditions of the ownership. As part of the ownership
pack they will receive a framed photograph of your horse,
together with an authenticated ownership certificate.
Availability
Members / Owners will be offered the opportunity to buy shares
in a wide range of horses. Shares available will be specified
at the time of offer, together with details of the partnership
duration, terms of disposal, initial purchase price and monthly
fees payable. No member / owner has to participate in any
partnership offered, but all future partnerships will be offered
to existing members / owners prior to offer to new members
/ owners.
Initial Payment / Purchase Cost
Each member / owner will be required to pay the initial payment
for the purchase of his share at the time of joining the partnership.
Monthly Fees (Training / Racing Costs)
Each member / owner is responsible for his / her share of
the keep, training and race costs. This is specified as a
set monthly payment in the partnership agreement, and is not
subject to increase during the term of the partnership.
Prize Money
Prize money is distributed to owners on an annual basis,
the date of payment is determined in the partnership agreement.
Insurance
Non of our basic partnership fees include insurance. Should
the majority of the owners of any partnership wish to operate
insurance cover this can be added to the partnership agreement,
and monthly fees increased to cover the premiums. It should
be noted that the horse can only be insured against death
(and not incapacity or loss of use) and premiums will cost
between 10% and 12% of the value insured.
Registration At Weatherbys
Each partnership will be registered at Weatherbys with each
member / owner registered as a part owner of the horse. Shares
owned by OTB will be registered in the name of their nominees,
who will also act as the nominated partners of the partnership.
Documentation
All owners will be sent a certificate of ownership and copy
terms and conditions. These terms and conditions outline the
responsibility of each owner and protects the interests of
the partnership as a whole. Each owner is only responsible
for his / her share and is not responsible for the liabilities
of his / her co-owners, this liability being underwritten
by OTB.
Race Days
We arrange for our owners to receive a complimentary badge
for entrance to the racecourse whenever their horse is running.
This provides full ownership privileges including being able
to watch the horse in the pre-parade ring, watch it being
saddled, entrance to the parade ring and hopefully the winners
enclosure. You will have the opportunity to discuss the horses
prospects with both the trainer and the jockey.
Risk
Although we employ the use of top bloodstock advisors, use
very careful selection procedures, and high quality trainers
in an attempt to mitigate risks as far as possible, a decision
to enter into a partnership should be made for enjoyment and
participation reasons rather than expectation of any financial
gain. Always bear in mind racehorse ownership is a high risk
business.
Selection of Trainers / Colours
The selection of trainers for each of our horses always remains
the responsibility of OTB and their appointed representatives.
All of our horses run in the OTB colours.
Racecourse Owners Badges
Each owner will receive one free official owners badge each
time the horse runs. This allows access to the Owners and
Trainers Bar and Restaurant, as well as the parade ring and
hopefully the winners enclosure ! All badges are organised
in advance, and a member of OTB will be present to meet you
on the day.
Communication To Owners
All owners receive direct communication at all times from
the OTB staff. This can be provided by phone, fax or e.mail
as specified by each individual owner. We are always on the
end of a phone to answer any queries or provide any assistance
you may need.
Drop Out Clause
One of the most important issues to be addressed is what
happens in the event that one of the other members of the
partnership decides to leave. This eventuality is covered
in detail in our standard contract of ownership.
Ownership Agreement Period
This is another difficult area. In general we offer a range
of alternatives from partnerships limited by a defined exit
date, at which the horse will be sold irrespective of performance
or price to those which are open ended in which the horse
will continue to race until our nominated trainer recommends
retirement. Partnerships defined by a specific exit date are
more commonly used for flat partnerships, whilst those with
no defined exit date are more common to National Hunt partnerships.
Whilst we are solely dedicated to providing our owners with
the most enjoyable racing experience possible, we are also
committed to retaining the highest level of bloodstock possible.
If needs be partnerships can be terminated by mutual agreement
of the members if in the opinion of the trainer it has become
obvious the horse is not good enough to win.
Each horse offered will be accompanied by the specific terms
and conditions relating to that partnership.
When a horse is retired it becomes the responsibility of
OTB to ensure the horse is found a good home. We take this
responsibility very seriously and remain in touch with the
new owners of our faithful servants.
Selling Policy
We ask all potential members to note that the objective of
our racing partnerships is to win races.
Unlike many other organisations if we get a good horse we
like to keep him. Your purchase of a share in any of our horses
should not be considered as an investment. All serious offers
of purchase received for any of our horses will be carefully
considered, and if meeting the criteria laid out in the partnership
"Heads Of Agreement" will be put to a full vote
of the members. Not withstanding the stiplications of the
"?Heads Of Agreement" any sale will require as a
minimum that two thirds of the members are in agreement of
the sale. Under no circumstances can any one member force
the sale of a horse, irrespective of the price offered. The
basic partnership agreement allows any member to sell his
or her own interest in the horse at any time, providing the
new owners are prepared to sign the partnership agreement
and adhere to it financial commitments in full.
NB We have recently turned down an offer of £100,000
for our exciting young chasing prospect Bobby Dazzler.
Stable Information / Betting Policy
Each owner has different reasons for wishing to participate
in the ownership of a horse. We aim to make your ownership
experience the best possible, sharing sociable ownership and
enjoying great days out at the races. We aim to allow our
owners to mix with our trainers, jockeys and other well known
racing personalities and celebrities. For many of us part
of the pleasure is in landing a successful gamble or two.
We are not primarily a gambling organisation, but would always
encourage our members to make use of information from our
stables to best advantage when deciding which horses to back.
However the information provided can never be guaranteed,
nor is it our right. Any successful wagers must be considered
as a bonus.
|
Ian
Robinson 
