KERRE MCIVOR
KERRE FINDS HERSELF BIDDING TO BE IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE ONCE MORE AS SHE JOINS A RACING SYNDICATE
We’ve always been keen on horse racing in our family. My grandmother Cherry was a keen punter with her own TAB account right up until she died at the age of 99.
She wasn’t a gambler per se − I think her biggest bet was $5 each way and that only happened once in a blue moon.
She was generally a $1 each way girl but she got enormous enjoyment following her favourites. When my dad was dying, I bought shares in a racehorse for mum and my grandmother to give them something to look forward to in the future. The horse was a complete dud but at least Cherry got to wear an owner’s ribbon on her coat for a year or so, and we had lovely days out together at country racetracks.
A few years later, Mum and I bought into a racing syndicate and that was a much more successful proposition. Every single one of the four horses won at least one race – some of them quite big – and although Mum and I only had a fraction of a percentage of a share, we earned back our investment and then some. It paid for Kate’s school uniform and a few other household expenses, and the joy we experienced being in the winner’s circle was indescribable. I wondered why everyone didn’t go into racing syndicates. It seemed so easy. Put some money in, make more – plus experience the thrill of winning. There was no downside.
When this syndicate came to an end, however, I didn’t have the disposable income to spare on another one and it was just as well really. The next crop of horses didn’t prove to be nearly as successful.
Mum has kept up her involvement in syndicates because it costs her next to nothing to join – some of the syndicate managers are willing to let people take a quarter of one percent of a share – but mainly because she enjoys the days out at the trials and then the races. She loves the company of the other members, and it’s a great way to get out and about and around the country. And this year, I’m going to be doing the same.
Through a happy twist of fortune,
I find myself in a racing syndicate, having taken a small share in conjunction with my old friend
Clare. We’re in excellent company with our fellow owners, including Henrietta Bedford, former Duchess of Bedford, who is a great racing identity and bred the top stallion Tavistock, who, as it turns out, is the sire of our horse
Playwrite (and for racing enthusiasts, his mum is Playme). We’re not the most knowledgeable of owners − it’s fair to say that Clare has only slender knowledge of racing and mine is limited – but we are the most enthusiastic. I love horses and racing, so it’s thrilling to be back in a syndicate with old and new friends. We’re a wee way off seeing our young horse at the races. But he’s had two trials and performed very well in both.
The first one he won, seeing off a couple of challengers in a very brave fashion. The second trial was closer to home and after his good showing in the first, Clare and I decided to venture to Cambridge to meet him and watch him run live – as opposed to on the iPad. It was the most glorious day and a lovely drive.
We stopped to pick up Mum in Hamilton as she’s taken a keen interest in our wee horse and we arrived at the track in plenty of time. We got to stroke Playwrite’s nose before the run, and it was lovely to hear from his strapper that he has a lovely temperament and how he is a favourite at the stables. He’s a beautiful boy, but then if you love horses, I suppose they all are, aren’t they? He ran very well and now he’s being turned out into the paddock to get on with growing up.
According to his trainer, they’re aiming for the races in spring. So it will be a while before Clare and I get to put on our hats and head to the races, but I’m looking forward to the thrill of being an active participant in the sport of kings again.