FAQs
Greatwood at the 2011 Yearling Parades. Photo by Matthew Webb
The Highclere FAQs are also available to download as a PDF
What does HTR do?
We offer shares in racehorses that we put together to form racing syndicates i.e., small groups of people to share in a number of horses.
How many people are there in each syndicate?
This varies, usually from 10 to a maximum of 20 people (30 in a National Hunt syndicate).
Who buys the horses?
John Warren buys all of HTR’s horses alongside HTR’s Managing Director, Harry Herbert. John is one of the most respected bloodstock agents in the world and is also bloodstock adviser to Her Majesty The Queen.
How successful have John and Harry been?
Extremely. HTR has raced seven champions and has consistently been the leading syndicate company since 1994. In 2010, Harbinger became the world’s highest rated flat horse after winning the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes in record time. Previously, Motivator, who was bought by John and managed by HTR for the Royal Ascot Racing Club, won the 2005 Vodafone Derby.
How much does a share cost?
This differs from syndicate to syndicate but generally ranges from £10,000 up to £30,000 (or from £3,950 in a National Hunt syndicate).
When are the new syndicates launched?
In June of each year. Most shares are sold before our Yearling Parades which take place in mid-October at Highclere Stud.
Does HTR buy horses at the breeze-up sales?
Harry and John attend the Tattersalls Breeze-up sale in April in order to buy one or two horses which are syndicated with the average share price being around £6,950 per share.
What does the price of share include?
The price of a share covers all expenses including the purchase and training of the horses up to the end of their two-year-old year. This includes vet bills, entry fees, transport etc. A smaller additional sum, which is clearly stated on the agreement form, is due for the second year.
How long do the horses race?
Most of HTR’s horses are sold by the end of their three-year-old careers. Some are kept to race at four-years-old, provided it is thought that they can increase their capital values and win good prize money. (This is different for the National Hunt horses).
Are shares sold with VAT?
Yes. VAT is charged on each share but is reclaimed by HTR and paid back to the shareowners.
Can HTR ask for more money other than that stated on the agreement form?
Absolutely not. Any deficit is borne by HTR and not the shareowner.
Who trains the horses?
HTR only employs leading trainers: Sir Michael Stoute, William Haggas, Sir Henry Cecil, Luca Cumani, Richard Hannon, Michael Bell, Ed Dunlop, Richard Fahey, Kevin Ryan, Nicky Henderson, Roger Varian, Jeremy Noseda, Andrew Balding, Emma Lavelle, Paul Nicholls and Alan King.
When do shareowners first see their bloodstock?
At the Yearling Parades held at Highclere Stud in mid-October.
Can owners see their horses being trained?
Yes. At any time that suits them and this is organised through the HTR office. In addition, HTR organises regular stable visits to Newmarket, where owners are able to stay at the historic Jockey Club Rooms, and to the other racehorse trainers in Hampshire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Yorkshire.
How do I know when my horse is running?
Owners are kept fullly informed as to the progress and running plans of their bloodstock. This is done through email, fax and, most importantly, by personal communication on the telephone.
What happens on race day?
HTR organises for two owners’ badges to be collected from the owners’ entrance. Owners have access to the paddock before the race as well as access to the Owners’ and Trainers’ Car Park.
HTR owners also have the use of the Highclere Box at Newbury racecourse, which is situated just above the winning post with a fantastic view of the track.
What makes HTR different to other multiple ownership groups?
The consistent success of our horses at the highest level combined with a highly personal and professional service to our owners.
How is HTR remunerated?
We take a management fee charged on each share. This can vary from syndicate to syndicate but is clearly stated on the agreement form. The company also takes 10% of the sales price of any horse selling for more than twice its purchase price.
What is the most money that an HTR horse has sold for?
In 2010, Harbinger was sold to stand at stud in Japan for a multi-million dollar figure. Previously, Petrushka was sold to Sheikh Mohammed in 2001 for a then world record $5,250,000 and other significant sales include Tamarisk (£3,500,000), Lake Coniston (£2,500,000) and Highest (£1,700,000).
Has HTR ever won a Classic race?
Yes. Motivator, who was bought by John Warren for the Royal Ascot Racing Club and managed by HTR, won The 2005 Vodafone Derby.Previously, Petrushka won The Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks in 2000 and became the first ever syndicate owned Classic winner. Horses managed by Highclere have now won or been placed in all five of the English Classics.
Why join a HTR syndicate versus racing my own horse?
The short answer is that it will be more fun, more cost-effective and will give you far greater chance of racing success at the highest level. It currently costs over £25,000 a year to train, insure, travel and vet one horse. In addition, the average price of a yearling in the 2011 Tattersalls October sale was 76,000 guineas. For the same money that it costs to train one horse for one year, a Highclere owner can enjoy three 100,000 guineas animals with all training fees paid through to the end of their three-year-old career.
What is HTR’s involvement with the Royal Ascot Racing Club?
The Royal Ascot Racing Club was launched in 1997. The Club’s horses are managed by HTR and have enjoyed considerable successes with Brancaster (Horris Hill Stakes (Gr3)), Bannister (Gimcrack (Gr2)), Revenue (Windsor Castle Stakes) at Royal Ascot, Supremacy (Windsor Forest Stakes (Listed)) and Metaphoric (Fenwolf Stakes (Listed)). Most recently, the Club has triumphed with Motivator in The Vodafone Derby (Gr1) at Epsom in 2005. Motivator also won both the Racing Post Trophy (Gr1) at Doncaster in 2004 and The Totesport Dante Stakes (Gr2) at York in 2005.
How did Highclere’s horses perform last season?
Highclere produced 26 winners last season from 166 runners with a win/place ratio of 48%. Our horses featured at the key festival meetings, including Royal Ascot, the King George Festival at Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and the York Ebor Festival.
Should I regard my involvement with Highclere as an investment?
Absolutely NOT. Each shareowner acknowledges that participation in the syndicates is for the purpose of sharing in the enjoyment of the horses and not for investment.