Ownership
If you're a little interested in racing a thoroughbred, you're not alone. Racing a horse can be one of the most enjoyable experiences you can have.
From watching your horse work in the pre-dawn light of training, to the sleep-disturbing anticipation of raceday and the thrill of the race itself; it’s an experience that's hard to match.
And in New Zealand, unlike many countries in the world, anybody and everybody can share in the thrill of ownership. Racehorse ownership is no longer reserved for the elite with a host of options to suit all budgets and give you the best chance to share in the excitement.
Below are a series of step-by-step guides for anyone interested in becoming a racehorse owner:
Ownership Options
How To Buy Your Thoroughbred
In the world of racing, there are no guarantees. Purchased for $16 million in America as a two-year-old, The Green Monkey is now renowned as being a most expensive flop, whilst in contrast multiple stakes winner Mandela (NZ) cost $1,750 and has won over a million dollars in prizemoney.
It is best to discern what you personally want to spend on a horse, remembering that there will be ongoing costs once you have purchased your horse.
The one certainty is that owning a racehorse opens a whole new world of thrills and opportunity, and one that can be experienced via utilising a number of options. It’s simply a matter of selecting the one that is right for you.
What it Costs
The costs of having a horse in trainer vary depending on who the trainer is, where the stable is located, where the horse races, and how healthy your horse is. A trainer’s daily rate can vary from $40-$80 per day. This cost includes infrastructure, staff, feed etc.
Most trainers do not include veterinary or farrier costs in their daily rate. Veterinary costs are dependent on the health of your horse. Moreover, whilst in training your horse will need to be shod once a month, which can range in cost depending on the requirements of your horse but will generally average between $100-140.
The monthly cost of having your horse in work will also vary depending on what stage of its career it is at. For example, the cost of having a horse spelling is less than having a horse in full work. To view a table of the expenses involved in having a horse in training please click here.
|
% of Ownership |
Year 1 Annual Cost |
Year 1 Average Weekly Cost |
Year 2 Annual Cost |
Year 2 Average Weekly Cost |
Year 3 Annual Cost |
Year 3 Average Weekly Cost |
|
5 |
$515 |
$9 |
$901 |
$17 |
$1,423 |
$27 |
|
10 |
$1,029 |
$19 |
$1,802 |
$34 |
$2,846 |
$54 |
|
25 |
$2,573 |
$49 |
$4,505 |
$86 |
$7,116 |
$137 |
|
50 |
$5,147 |
$98 |
$9,011 |
$173 |
$14,233 |
$273 |
|
100 |
$10,295 |
$197 |
$18,023 |
$346 |
$28,467 |
$547 |
What’s in It for You
Enjoy the ride of your life! Whether racing a horse solo or with a group, owning a horse can take you on the ride of your life.
Added bonuses you can look forward to include free tickets, racebooks and drinks on days when your horse races. There is also the New Zealand Thoroughbred Bonus Scheme, which offers prize money bonuses on races for two, three and four-year-olds.
Moreover, there are other delights such as naming your horse and choosing your colours.
Get Started
For your leg up into racehorse ownership, contact us at ownership@nztm.co.nz or by calling +64 7 849 7230.