Underbidders to Jonbon and Classic Getaway undeterred in quest for big names

A couple of little-known bidders who caused something of a stir in sales circles recently, when narrowly missing out on two record-setting Irish point-to-pointers, have not given up on National Hunt high-rolling just yet.

It was after losing out to JP McManus for the £570,000 Jonbon at the Goffs UK November Sale at Yorton Farm that Tony Barney and his adviser Robin Woodward alighted upon the idea for their micro-share concept Race Crowd - something about which Woodward cryptically mentioned to the Racing Post in December when trumped again by Cheveley Park Stud for Classic Getaway, who matched Jonbon's price in selling for £570,000, by saying they had "a bit of a project going on".

Woodward, an owner in a few horses over the years, has partnered up with entrepreneur and holiday park owner Barney, explaining: "Tony was interested in buying a few racehorses and decided he wanted to buy the best, we had a good roll of the dice for Jonbon and sadly got gazumped by JP McManus.

"We went away and talked about it, we were just thinking about how somebody as successful as Tony couldn't go to an auction and get what he wanted, and how a lot of the best horses are monopolised by leading owners.

"I started looking at racing clubs, syndicates, and thought it would be a great idea to do something where people actually got access to the very best horses - those who race year after year and build up a following, almost becoming like top sports people in their own right."

They have found a few other horses for their project so far; Necarne winner Bold Endeavour was added for £190,000 at Yorton to join three more, including £75,000 Yeats mare Wheres Maud Gone, who is unbeaten in two bumper starts.

Woodward explained: "She won a bumper under Derek O’Connor at Thurles by eight lengths, but when we got her back she didn’t look in the best condition. Her old trainer Sam Curling said they’d had some problems getting her to eat, so we had her scoped and she came back with grade five gastric ulcers, so to have won as she did with that a week earlier is testament to her.

"We spent quite a lot of time getting her right before she beat a good horse of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede’s at Ayr, Condesa, giving her 7lb, and she goes for the Grade 2 at Aintree on Thursday. She’s up against an aeroplane in Pam Sly’s Eileendover at Aintree but we’re excited about her."

The model is evidently based along the lines of MyRacehorse, the US concept which allowed a huge number of people to be involved with Kentucky Derby winner Authentic for a small one-off price.

The format is not universally praised, given the enormous number of 'shares' which are sold and there being virtually zero chance of making a profit - and there was an abrasive welcome to another new offering, RacehorseClub, on parts of social media on Thursday.

Woodward says that a fee of up to £89 gains membership for 12 months to a racing club for their horses, rather than a material asset, and it will be based around an app which is expected to feature plenty of input from their trainer, Laura Morgan.

Events, the chance of badges and a share of prize-money are promised, but he explained: "Realistically it’s not an investment or a way for people to make money, it’s a way for people who love horses and racing to have a bit of fun and actually feel like they’ve got an involvement with a good horse.

Robin Woodward stopped at £560,000 in bidding for Classic GetawayCredit: James Thomas

"By standing up there and paying hundred of thousands for horses we’re taking a punt, any one of them can go wrong, so it works both ways. We’re hoping we’re going to be able to buy the best bloodstock in the future and hope to give people some really big days out."

Woodward continued: "There’s so much that goes on between races with a horse and actually, with technology as it is today, an app gives the perfect platform to allow people a virtual ownership experience.

"I think it will give an insight as to how well horses are cared for, as well as people having a lot of fun along the way."

Woodward, who expects to add Flat horses to the current offering, is likely to be back to buy another sale-topper - even if he rues the two that got away.

"I absolutely loved Classic Getaway, I went to the sale saying, 'I won’t really go much over £450,000', and we kept going until 560, I was gutted. He was probably the nicest horse I’ve looked at over the last year.

"I also spoke to Derek O’Connor about Jonbon, he said he was probably one of the best young horses he’d ever sat on. That’s a big claim from somebody who has ridden as many winners as Derek; we knew he was pretty special and those kinds of horses don’t come around too often.

"Derek did say he liked Wheres Maud Gone too, so for the second horse we’ve ever bought to be lining up in a Grade 2 is a good start. But hopefully it’s just a start."

Catch up with Michele McDonald's feature on MyRacehorse

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