Glen Shiel syndicate hit the jackpot at Ascot
HOLLIE DOYLE’S dream day in the saddle on Qipco British Champions Day was the biggest success yet for a Yorkshire- based horse racing syndicate.
The history- making rider was in a state of disbelief after partnerning the Archie Watsontrained Glen Shiel to a last- gasp victory in Ascot’s six- furlong sprint in the now familiar beige and dark blue colours of Hambleton Racing.
Her first victory at Group One level on a day that she dominated with her boyfriend Tom Marquand, it was the most notable yet for Hambleton Racing, which was set up 15 years ago by racing devotees Simon Turner and Cosmo Charlton to make it possible for fellow enthusiasts to own shares in racehorses.
They now have 35 horses, predominantly on the Flat, and have become established as one of the country’s most successful and consistent syndicates.
And this culminated with Glen Shiel just getting the better of the veteran Brando in a photo- finish.
This was the aforementioned Doyle’s second success of the day, having won the long distance opener on Trueshan, before her partner Marquand won the feature Champion Stakes on Addeybb and finale on Njord to complete a fairytale day for their household – and racing.
But the significance was not lost on Turner who was watching from his office near York and had his head in his hands as he waited for the photo- finish result to be confirmed.
Glen Shiel, a £ 45,000 purchase at the Doncaster Sales last year after being sold by Sheikh Mohammed’s Godophin operation, is owned by nine people and his success – after finishing second to Dream Of Dreams in Haydock’s Sprint Cup last month – was a victory for ordinary racegoers daring to take on the sport’s biggest names.
“One of the lads is an ex- police officer,” Turner told The Yorkshire Post. “We have a chap who runs a kitchen company and a guy who is a builder. We also have a person who teaches accountancy – syndicates such as this are a great chance for people to live the dream.”
Hambleton Racing began in 2005 when Turner and Charlton were at the Hambleton stables of Kevin Ryan who, in an ironic twist, was responsible for Brando, the desperately unlucky runnerup to Glen Shiel at Ascot.
He remarked – by chance – that he did not have any horses that ran in syndicate, allowing members to share the costs, and this inspired Hambleton Racing.
It limits the number of people in each syndicate so members can enjoy the full ownership experience alongside key staff like Lizzy Butterworth and Helen Kinsella, who are both steeped in racing.
Turner said: “Owning with us isn’t cheap – typically an owner will spend between £ 2- 4,000 on their share and another £ 3,000 on the annual costs.
“We’d be among the more expensive syndicates but operate with some old- fashioned values. We certainly don’t penalise owners when their horses do well, so won’t be taking a penny of the £ 275,000 that Glen Shiel has won for his owners this year.
“We’re very proud of the fact many owners have been with us for over 10 years, which must mean we’re doing something right. I don’t think we’ll suddenly change our approach and start spending twice as much at the sales now.
“We’ll continue to seek out the best value. Thankfully, there seems to be a lot of value around at the moment.”
This was epitomised by John and Colleen Joyce from Hemsworth who are ‘ co- owners’ of Glen Shiel.
“Days like Saturday show that the “Sport Of Kings” is not ringfenced,” they enthused.
“Success can be achieved by anyone willing to put in the hard work, dedication and professionalism. We are grateful to Hambleton Racing for facilitating the links with Hollie and Archie. It is great to share their deserved successes.”
They went on: “Saturday was a dream. Our previous wins have given us personal rewards. They provided special memories but those memories were personal to us.
“If you ask anyone what was special about Fast Act winning at Carlisle they would have no idea. Saturday was totally different!”
Turner, who was previously a handicapping expert for the Racing Post, is fulsome for the support that he’s received from Ryan who was amongst the first to congratulate the connections of Glen Shiel.
But he says his job is made easier by working with riders as personable as 24- year- old Doyle, and Marquand, 22, who appreciate the importance of owners to their success.
Last week Doyle set a new record for the number of winners recorded by a female jockey in a year and her tally now stands at 121, surpassing her total of 116 in 2019.
“When we first had horses with Archie ( Watson), he mentioned that Hollie would be riding them and would it be a problem?” said Turner.
“It almost does Hollie a disservice by bringing gender into it – she is so strong and just as effective, if not more so, than senior pros in a tight finish. She’s noted as being the first to do X, Y and Z but it’s brilliant to have her riding our horses because she’s so great with the owners.
“Hollie and Tom seem so normal – Hollie was thanking the owners after coming second at Haydock for giving her the ride on Glen Shiel. They are super people as well as being super jockeys.”