So, what's it like to be part of the Fakenham Race Club?

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: Fakenham Racing Club

• Read the full Join The Club series

The Lowdown

How much does a share typically cost? Each member pays a one-off fee, which is never more than £520 per annum. The syndicate is made up mainly of largely Fakenham members, but not all, and there are shares available.

What does it get you? Shares in the two horses who run for the Fakenham Race Club in the green and gold colours, which are as close to the logo colours of the racecourse as possible. All members sport coloured pin badges in the same colours. There are plans afoot to get further merchandise for the club to promote it further down the line. 

Typically, how many owners are there in each horse? There is a maximum of 100 in the club, which is run by Fakenham member Colin Burr in conjunction with clerk of the course David Hunter.

How many horses are in the club at the moment? The club is in its third season and has two leased horses, one with Stuart Edmunds (Kosasiempre) and the other with Ben Case (Wingmann). Kosasiempre is being targeted at the Queen Boudicca Mares' Series Final at Fakenham on January 19, while Wingmann has had only one run for the club and is considered "one for further down the line".

How often do members see their horses at home? Colin Burr, who organises stable visits, said: “We would go to see the horses perhaps twice a year and we’ve made a lot of friends. It’s been a good social thing with the trainers. I keep in touch with the members by email and other means, and it makes sense to run our horses at Fakenham. As members, we have a table in the restaurant in the Prince of Wales stand." 

Fakenham Race Club organiser Colin Burr (right) with jockey Ciaran Gethings

What success have they had? Fakenham Race Club has had seven winners, with Kosasiempre nearly making that eight when touched off by a short head last month. That particular mare has won three times for the syndicate, although the jury is still out on whether she is properly suited to Fakenham. Allo Allo was also a huge success story for the club with three wins in its first season, including two at Fakenham.

Where is the syndicate based? Norfolk. Burr runs the club in conjunction with Hunter, who lives near the track. Burr is from South Norfolk and most of the members are from Norfolk.

For more information contact Colin Burr on 07780 607976

The experience

Fakenham Race Club member Ian Rudd, 65, from Norwich

When did you first get involved with Fakenham Race Club? I joined when it was launched in September 2022. I’m a Fakenham member and they sent an email out asking if anyone was interested. They had an open evening where they took both horses to Fakenham and I signed up on the night.

How many shares have you had with them? I have one share, like many others, which covers both horses.

What’s been the highlight on the track? That’s an easy one: going to Ascot as an owner. The experience was absolutely brilliant and it was worth the money just for that. We went when Allo Allo unseated, which was annoying as he was going quite well at the time.

What do you like about the syndicate? The social side is very good but the interesting thing is that not many go to the fixtures away from Fakenham, which means you have more chance of getting an owners' badge and the full experience for the day. As so many want to go to Fakenham we have to have a ballot for the badges as there are only six or seven available. At the away fixtures I’ve not yet failed to get a badge, which has enhanced the whole experience.

Read more from the Join The Club series:

So, what's it like to be part of the Sam England Racing Club? 

So, what's it like to be part of Old Gold Racing? 

'They have a really good record, they're great at getting horses with winning potential and it's not massively expensive' 

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

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