‘People in Scotland are proper lovers of the sport’
THE man behind an ambitious plan to train a prospective Scottish Grand National winner at a small Perthshire yard believes more people in Scotland are interested in horse racing simply from a sporting perspective than is the case in England.
Craig McKenna, managing partner of Crowd Racing, a syndicate management organisation, is looking for backers for their Tartan Crowd project that aims to buy two horses with a view to one competing in the National at Ayr and another in the Queen’s Cup at Musselburgh in 2020. The horses will be trained by Lucy Normile at her stables near Glenfarg.
McKenna, based in Larbert but originally from Newcastle, believes Scottish race-goers are more dedicated to the sport than many down south.
“Scottish racing is phenomenally well attended and it’s not just from a gambling perspective,” he said. “You see people at races in Scotland – especially jumps racing – who are proper lovers of the sport.
“You go to racing south of the border and there are a lot of people there just for the day or night out, or for a drink or a bet. In Scotland there seem to be more people interested just from a sporting perspective.”
McKenna revealed syndicate members come from all demographics but it was important to distinguish being part of a racehorse ownership syndicate from a tipping service.
He added: “Who might get involved in Tartan Crowd? It could be anybody. The people who get the maximum out of these things are those who tend to have more flexibility with their time, and already have an interest in racing.
“This takes them closer. Instead of being stood behind the fence, they can go inside and chat to the trainer and jockey before the race and then after it.
“But we’re not a gambling outfit. We don’t promote betting. We’ve had offers of sponsorship from betting organisations but have always declined it.
“We don’t tip the horses, or tell people to back it or not back it. That’s not what we’re about. Owning a racehorse is the biggest gamble you’re going to take.”