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Unlike many other sports, horseracing offers fans the chance to really become a part of the action. For whilst it is beyond the scope of all bar the mega-rich to own a football club or an F1 team, for example, owning a racehorse \u2013 or at least a small share in one \u2013 is a far more realistic goal for many, with a whole range of ownership options available.<\/p>\n
So how do you go about owning a racehorse and entering it into a race? Can anyone simply turn up with their trusty nag, pay the race entry fee and take their place in the stands for what is sure to be a moment of glory?<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, it isn\u2019t quite as simple as that, although not so complicated as many imagine, and it is certainly not anything like the high society closed shop that may have been true in years gone by.<\/p>\n
In this article we take a look at the rules surrounding racehorse ownership, beginning with the horses themselves, moving on to who is eligible to become an owner and the various options available, plus any regulations which must be met.<\/p>\n
![\"Thoroughbred](\"https:\/\/www.ukgamblingsites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/thoroughbred-horse-800px.jpg\")
The first thing for any prospective racehorse owner to be sure of is that they have the right type of horse to race. And in the world of professional flat racing, this means they must be a thoroughbred – a breed specifically bred for racing and harking back to the 17th century. The rules on National Hunt horses are slightly more relaxed \u2013 although the majority are still thoroughbreds. Regardless of the code, whether flat or jumps, all runners must be the product of horses contained within a recognised stud book \u2013 essentially a catalogue of stallions and mares eligible to produce racehorses.<\/p>\n
As romantic a notion as it would be to enter your particularly speedy Shetland Pony for the next major event of the season, in reality all horses must conform to the following criteria in order to be eligible to race in a professional contest on British or Irish shores.<\/p>\n
All horses purchased at the multitude of racing sales held around the country each year will come with paperwork confirming adherence to all of the above, a statement which is true no matter what the age of the horse, from the foals and all the way up to the older existing racehorses. Owners purchasing privately should always ensure that the horse comes with the relevant documentation.<\/p>\n
![\"Different](\"https:\/\/www.ukgamblingsites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/different-people-800px.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
So that\u2019s the type of horse required, but just what type of individuals are permitted to be an owner?<\/p>\n
And the answer to that question is: just about anyone really. The 14,000+ registered owners in Great Britain covering the full gamut of society, ranging from your regular man in the street all the way up to royalty, both from Britain and overseas.<\/p>\n
Of course, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) does still have a responsibility in policing the area of ownership, ensuring that only responsible owners are permitted, whilst keeping potentially unscrupulous individuals out. As such, in order for a horse to race, the details of the owner or owners must first be accepted, verified and registered by the BHA.<\/p>\n
Anyone over the age of 16 may apply \u2013 although 16 and 17 year olds will need an existing racehorse owner to act as a guarantor. All applicants will then be subjected to identity and monetary checks \u2013 much along the lines of those undertaken prior to any deal likely to require a financial commitment. Provided there are no hiccups, this tends to be a relatively quick process, with many new owners being welcomed into the sport within two working days of submitting their application.<\/p>\n
Whilst the window concerning those eligible to apply is fairly wide, not all applications will be granted, and the final decision always lies with the BHA. Reasons an application may ultimately be refused include the following:<\/p>\n
Should an individual subsequently fall into any of the above categories, having initially passed the eligibility check, the BHA is within its rights to revoke the right to act as an owner within the sport.<\/p>\n
![\"Horse](\"https:\/\/www.ukgamblingsites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/horse-owner-800px.jpg\")
Whilst to an extent owning a racehorse is open to all who are able to pass the eligibility test, there is no getting away from the fact that it is a relatively expensive endeavour \u2013 certainly in comparison to purchasing a new kitten or puppy for example, with both the initial purchase and upkeep being beyond the scope of many individuals. The good thing with racehorse ownership though is that there is no stipulation stating that it must be done on an individual basis, with a range of options enabling prospective owners to share the cost.<\/p>\n
All told, there are five main types of ownership available:<\/p>\n
![\"Jockey](\"https:\/\/www.ukgamblingsites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jockey-silks-400px.jpg\")
Having registered as an owner, either individually or via any of the other routes outlined above, and of course having ensured that you have purchased a horse eligible to race on these shores, there are two final steps that need to be taken.<\/p>\n
Firstly, your horse will need to be named, and secondly, they are going to require colours \u2013 also known as silks \u2013 in which to run.<\/p>\n
Both the name and colours will need to be acceptable to, and registered with, the BHA, before a horse will be permitted to race.<\/p>\n
So can anyone enter a horse in a race?<\/p>\n
Yes, they can\u2026 so long as they pass the BHA\u2019s eligibility checks, ensure they own the right type of horse and follow all the required registration rules, including naming the horse and determining in which colours it will run in. After that, it\u2019s time to sit back and enjoy what must be one of the most thrilling rides available to the modern sports fan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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