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So, what's it like to be a part of the Value Racing Club?

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West Country correspondent

In our new weekly series on racing syndicates, we meet those involved, get their take on the ownership experience and outline the key details should you wish to join. This week: Value Racing Club


The lowdown

How much does a share typically cost? £1,500 to £2,000. It's a one-off cost that covers 12 months of racing, including trainers' and jockeys' fees and vet bills. Syndicate manager James Couldwell said: "There is nothing else to pay, guaranteed."

What does it get you? In addition to the badges every time the horse runs throughout the year, Value run stable mornings, a Christmas party and various other events.

Typically how many owners are there in each horse? There are 20 shares in total per horse. Some people buy more than one, so it usually amounts to roughly 15 to 16 owners per horse.

Do syndicate members get tickets every time their horse runs? Couldwell said: "We've never not been able to get the number of tickets we require in the last ten years."

How do they communicate with members? Members get an update every week, with videos and pictures, on WhatsApp or text. As Couldwell is employed full-time by Value, they can also contact him directly.

How often do members get to see their horses at home? Stable mornings are always held when the horse comes in from a break before their first run, while Value tends to try to fit another in before the horse goes on holiday. 

What type of horses does the syndicate like to buy? "We have a mixture of jumps and Flat, although we're slightly more jumps-orientated," Couldwell said. "The gap is closing and we're close to 50-50. We don't go down the store horse or unraced two-year-old route, as people would much rather get out racing. We buy horses we think can improve."

What success have they had? Value Racing Club has a good strike-rate, with just above 70 per cent of runners finishing in the first three. Their highlights include winning the Lincolnshire National twice, an Imperial Cup, two Summer Hurdles and the Crystal Cup. They also dead-heated in the Portland on the Flat.

Is there any chance members get a return on their investment? Couldwell said: "Absolutely. Sea The Clouds is a good example. We bought him for £6,000 and we think we got the best out of him. He won almost £50,000 on the track, then we sold him for £14,000. They all got a cheque this year for £1,800."

How many horses and members do Value Racing Club have at the moment? Value Racing Club has about 240 individual owners and 28 horses.

Where is the syndicate based? Syndicate manager Couldwell is based in Leicestershire, but Value Racing Club has trainers across the country to suit everybody.

Which trainers do Value Racing Club use? Lucinda Russell, Tom Lacey, Mick Appleby, Jamie Snowden and James Owen.

More information available at valueracingclub.co.uk


The experience

Value Racing Club syndicate member Jamie Sharp, 68, from Leicester

When did you first get involved with Value Racing Club? About ten years ago, with a horse called Sioux Chieftain. He won on his debut for Value at Wetherby, but I couldn't go, which I was gutted about. I was working, but I did manage to sneak into a bookmakers and watch it. He beat an odds-on shot for David Pipe. It was great.

How many shares have you had with them? I've had a few, but the best would be Audacious Plan and Pisgah Pike.

What's been the highlight on the track? It would have to be Pisgah Pike's win in the Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen – he was a big price too. I remember when he won seeing Luke Harvey, who said, 'I'll interview Jamie now', and getting worried, but luckily he meant Jamie Snowden! He was a great horse. We went to see him the other week and he demolished a bag of carrots.

And biggest disappointment? Olympicus. We got him from Joseph O'Brien but just couldn't figure him out. It was confusing, but then he won a nice race on a Saturday at Newmarket. We were expecting big things, but it never happened. He's been retired.

What do you like about the way Value Racing Club does ownership? James is very good at what he does and puts a lot of hours in. He's great at communicating and does the weekly newsletter, race preview when your horse is involved and a review too. His form reading is excellent, too, and we always get the badges.

How can racecourses improve the experience for syndicate members? I'd like to see more tolerance from racecourses over badges. There needs to be a bit more give and take. I understand the problems with big syndicates, and the racecourses have to consider health and safety, but in the week they could increase the allowance. 


Read about more syndicates:

Meet the 250-strong Ursa Major syndicate with 38 horses and 12 trainers - and why it feels like a 'big racing family'


Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more

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