I've heard a lot of people saying they would love to own a racehorse.
I know a few people who own or have owned thoroughbred racehorses. I've been in a racing club which had a share in four horses and guess how much it cost per year? Just £200. Fair enough, you don't get any prize money (as that really would be incredible) but you get regular updates, the opportunity to visit the stable and owner/trainer badges to go to the races for free. Well, you paid £200, so you know what I mean.
My friend Kevin McCourt has had a good few racehorses in his time. The last, Edgar, proved a very versatile and capable horse over both codes and paid his way before being retired.
That is probably a rarity for most owners when you consider how difficult it is to own a horse to win any race. The likelihood of owning a horse that achieves a high standard to compete at pattern class is literally like finding a needle in a haystack. In fact, yearlings which cost a million pounds are very unlikely to attain that goal.
One thing all within racing appreciate is the desperate level of prize money for the run-of-the-mill race. In truth, when you consider across the globe, how much money is bet on each and every UK horse race, a fraction of that money could pay for a winning prize of £10,000. Instead, it goes into the pockets of those who own the television rights which seems (surprise surprise) to be owned by bookmakers.
Horse racing is like a conveyor belt and unless all go on strike the prize money issue isn't going to be resolved. I can guarantee if it did stop within a week every race would have a minimal prize of £10,000. It's unlikely to happen because most stables couldn't hold out because their owners wouldn't want to pay for horses not racing.
Anyway, the lack of prize money means you want to think twice about owning a racecourse in this country. I don't imagine you would want to live in the UK and own a horse in America, but I'm sure the level of cost to prize money would be much better.
Even a small training establishment in the UK would charge £15,000 - £20,000. The high-profile trainers cost substantially more.
When the likelihood of actually making any money via owning a racehorse is probably, statistically, near-zero, you have a high chance of losing money.
I joined the said £200 a year racing club and it was great fun. To all the world, when you are in the paddock, rubbing shoulders with all the other big wigs they don't know what money you have or don't have. When the horse wins you still cheer.
I'd always side with the racing club unless you have plenty of money to burn.
Good luck.
Last post: The Secret of Winning at the Races
I wonder if you have read The Secret by Rhonda Byrne?
It's a book originally published in 2006. A best-selling self-help book based on a film. It is based on the idea that thoughts can change a person's life directly. A lot of people must believe it too as it has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and been translated into 50 languages.
While some believe every word, others claim the book promotes political complacency and a failure to engage with reality. (Basically, some are saying if you believe all this stuff you are mad).
Others say it isn't new or a secret.
Scientists have detailed the book has no scientific foundation.
The book was inspired by a tome written by Wallace Wattles in 1910 titled: The Science of Getting Rich.
Byrne received this publication from her daughter during a traumatic period of her life in 2004.
The book re-introduced a perspective from Madame Blavatsky and Norman Vincent Peale that thinking about certain things will make them appear in one's life.
The Secret details examples of historic persons who have allegedly achieved success by this notion.
You simply: ask, believe and receive.
The origin is based on the quotation from the Bible's Mathew 21:22 '' And all this, whosoever, ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.''
The author states the importance of gratitude and visualisation in achieving one's desires and gives examples.
This understanding can be used to gain wealth, relationships, health, and thoughts about the universe.
Very much a holistic approach to life, living and family.
Much of the book's popularity can be associated with the appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The book has led to merchandising and further book titles.
Oprah Winfrey is a big proponent of this book. While others have taken a critical stance. Mark Manson, the author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck says the book is ''full of misplaced cliches, silly quotes, and superstitious drivel''. He called it ''a playbook for entitlement and self-absorption, which anybody who reads it and implements its advice...will likely make themselves worse off in the longterm.''
Others have noted this tradition of New Thought and popular religion isn't new or a secret.
In fact, the author's understanding and use of quantum physics have been rejected by a range of academics including Lisa Randall.
Some have called this ''magical thinking'' akin to mumbo jumbo as new knowledge.
Here's my question: Could you become a better gambler by simply asking and believing in the powers of the universe?
If so, you may rightfully receive it.
Happy Punting.
By Jason Coote
