Syndicate advice

if your thinking of using MPR id also expect them to be buying 2yo's at next years breeze up sales.  If thats another possibility for you.

I know  the lads who run it and they are a good bunch and run it professionally.   Id obviously say choose me but i cant see me buying many yearling/2yo's so id say youve picked a good syndicate group.

If your unsure about the extra costs of buying now, drop them a line and im sure they'll tell you everything u need to know.

Not really, you could ask them if they had plans for any newmmarket trained horses.   They had 1 or 2 trained by Hannon and im sure they have more next year,  that might be a candidate to run at newmarket or more locally to you.

I was until very recently involved in an outfit similar to MPR. The fees are clear and up front and all inclusive. You also can freely arrange a stable visit, meet the trainer, talk to the jockey in the parade ring/unsaddling enclosure etc - all good stuff. Expect to pay about £2-3k initial and approx £250 pcm.

However, go in with your eyes open. Unless you stumble upon a good one then the provincial tracks will form most of your outings as opposed to HQ. Yes there are tipping lines (at a reduced rate) but they are rubbish and you will not get real 'inside info' from a big trainer. The horse I was syndicated in had one injury problem after another and in 2 years spent well over a year on the sidelines and the rest of the time failing to register a single victory (although I bought a share after a victory :(!! ) Most horses syndicated tend to be a major dissapointment and you are indluging your hobby at a manageable cost. Of the 15 currently syndicated from the set up I joined only 2 could you say are really succesful. One of them highly succesful and extremely profitable for the members (grade 1 winner). He happens to be a half brother to the cash burning beast I was involved in!

Although not for me in future, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I always wanted to be involved as an owner in some capacity & at least I have done it. BEst of luck.

Frustration of not running, constant injuries, bullsh1t excuses when horse ran poorly, being involved too long when it was clear the horse was never going to get back to his best etc. Attending meetings at Worcester & Fontwell as opposed to Ascot and Sandown. Overbetting your horse coz 'today was the day' & seeing it soundly thrashed! Basically all of it part and parcel of racing which I fully appreciate.

As I said I wanted to have a stab & I did, it was en expensive but often enjoyable experience. Like most things in life it's a gamble and the better the gamble does the more you enjoy it!

Good luck Koo, I think with current economic conditions and very poor prize money I think peoplre are a little more reluctant to enter into syndicates generally with such ease as previously. But yes, you do need those 10 people paying 3k in order to buy one which at least gives you a dream of forthcoming glories. I have heard nothing but good things about your set up so hopefully that stands you in good stead. If Mr Ellison keeps firing in winners then that is the best advertsement of them all.

Thanks gents - some useful comments here.

Been having a look through the yearlings on the MPR website and the Cockney Rebel filly looks like decent value to me.  Unproven sire (but clearly one with ability on the track) and some quality on the dam side.

One of the problems with larger syndicates is that their interests are not always aligned with those of members. For example, I run syndicates in Ireland and pay for a 10% share and earn management fees from members. But I still have to re-invest each month for training fees so no point continuing with the horse if it is useless or injured. However, the larger syndicates do not always pay for a share or take one for free. They may or may not be investing in the horses then on a regular basis but will be receiving a management fee. Where is the incentive then to stop with a horse if you can keep earning management fees for another six months until the syndicate kick up a fuss. Maybe you are risking alienating future membership but cash is king and the management fees might be more important. That's why I would not suggest to anyone to join a syndicate unless the syndicate manager is an investor, just like you.

Some sound advice abbott - at least I should get a run for my money that way.