Become
An Owner

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Join The Crowd

Whether it is the attraction of race days as unique and exciting as any in the world; the ability to buy into the best bloodlines; or the chance to invest in a market with the promise of some of the best prizemoney and bloodstock returns on the globe; Australia has something to offer all owners.

With one in every 254 Australians having a share in a racehorse – be it through full ownership or a small share via a syndicate – our trainers have excellent communication skills, meaning you’ll be engaged with your horse’s journey, no matter your level of investment.

Unlike many other jurisdictions, Australia welcomes investment from overseas and many of the world’s biggest owners race horses here, including King Charles III, Godolphin, Coolmore, Northern Farm, Juddmonte, China Horse Club and Qatar Racing.

Types of Ownership

Sole Ownership

Owning a horse outright means you get to make all the decisions yourself, though you may be well advised to consult with a trainer or bloodstock agent before diving in. As a sole owner you will collect all the prizemoney your horse wins and enjoy any upside in residual value if the horse becomes a champion, but you will also be liable for all the expenses.

This is the most common type of ownership in Australia and is a great way to get involved. Most trainers in Australia buy horses at yearling sales with the aim of on-selling them to their client base. Trainers also welcome enquiries from new and first-time owners. It is typical for people to buy anything from 2.5% in a horse up to a majority share of 50% or above. Up to 20 owners can have their names listed in the racebook.

Essentially, a syndicator sells shares in horses that they have bought; often at yearling sales. Their business is to ensure their clients have a great ownership experience. Syndicators are regulated by Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) and need to have an Australian Financial Services License or be overseen by somebody that does. While they charge some fees that trainers may not, it’s still a relatively inexpensive way to get involved in ownership.

The concept of micro-ownership is relatively new but is already proving popular. Horses are split in thousands of units or micro-shares and interested parties can purchase as many as they wish. For as little as $100 a unit, and minimal ongoing costs, micro-ownership makes racehorse ownership accessible to everyone. Like licensed syndication, micro-ownership is regulated by ASIC.

Welfare & Retirement

The Australian industry takes its responsibility to ensure the welfare of its thoroughbreds seriously. There are mandated standards of care for horses in racing and breeding, and all states and territories have specialised programs to help thoroughbreds transition into a new career. In nearly every state a percentage of prizemoney is levied to fund these activities.

Thoroughbred breeders in Australia also pay a research and development levy which has funded studies into major issues such as strangles, racing injuries and foetal abortions.

Becoming An Owner

Racing Connections was established to provide individuals interested in racehorse ownership with comprehensive information about the sport and help them determine the type of ownership that best suits their needs.

Racing Connections is a brand owned by Aushorse, the marketing arm of the thoroughbred breeding industry. Please note that we do not syndicate horses, sell shares in racehorses, or organise racing partnerships or leases.