A couple of weeks ago I
enjoyed another stable visit, this time at Tudor Racing Stables in Gloucestershire, home to Sophie Leech (pictured above)
and her husband Christian (who is also assistant trainer). I’d been to the Leech’s once
before, when considering joining Cheltenham Racing Club, a fun, fairly small
syndicate who lease a few horses with Team Leech. I thoroughly enjoyed the
morning and shortly after paid the very reasonable membership fee for CRC and
have since had a fantastic time following the horses we lease.
CRC is made up of around 26
members (some of which are pictured above at a previous visit) and always has 3 horses in training at any time of the year (which
runs from April-April), meaning we regularly have runners which allows members to enjoy
a slightly more involved experience of racing. Since April, we have leased 6
different horses, who have run in a total of 24 races (20 National Hunt / 4 All
Weather) at 14 different racecourses. In the 20 races under National Hunt rules, CRC horses have operated at a win strike rate of 20% and a place
strike rate of 50% (returning a £1 level stakes profit of £4.88). When also
taking into account the 4 all-weather races the club has achieved 4 wins, 4
2nds, and 3 3rds; accruing total prize money of just over £12,000 in the
process! One of the perks of membership is a share of prize money accrued by CRC
horses at the end of the year which further adds to the excitement of having a
horse win or place! Due to the small nature of the club (some racing clubs
contain 200+ members) it is very rare not be allocated an Owners badge upon
request when the Club has a runner, and combined with access to the parade ring for a
pre-race brief between jockey and trainer (and a visit to the winners enclosure
post-race on those lucky occasions!) and use of the O&T bar during the day;
the value for money of membership is, in my opinion, unbeatable for passionate racing fans as it
provides members with the opportunity to experience, albeit on a much smaller scale, the benefits
of racehorse ownership. CRC are also fortunate enough to be invited to regular
stable visits by the always welcoming Team Leech; so for someone who loves
racing this affordable experience truly is worthwhile!
Back to the stable tour and
after greeting us with mulled wine and mince pies on arrival, Sophie and her
team paraded the 3 horses we are to lease for the next few months – Old Magic
(recent Chepstow winner for the Club who is pictured above), Referent (formerly
owned by Sizing Europe’s connections) and Gtaab (lightly raced horse coming
back from a long injury layoff). Sophie provided a commentary of each horse and
their likely plans for the near future, before taking us up to the gallop to
watch all 3 being worked.
This was followed by Referent and Gtaab popping over
a few hurdles in the schooling field before we returned to the yard to be shown
a few more equine members of Team Leech who were entered to run in the week
ahead. These included the eye-catching Grey Soldier (pictured above); new
recruit Take Of Shocs; and a nice prospect for the future in Winston Churchill
(a lovely looking son of Presenting who is pictured below). Then free to have a look around
the yard and ask any questions, the morning was wrapped up and most departed for
lunch at the Apple Tree Inn at Minsterworth (though some of us rushed home to
catch the football!). As always it was a thoroughly enjoyable morning and
Sophie, Christian and their excellent team were all very approachable and
more than happy to chat about their horses and all things racing. The team are fantastic and provide their inmates (and owners!) with the
utmost care and consideration, whilst their smaller sized operation (in
comparison to some of racing’s powerhouse training yards) arguably enables them
to offer a more personable experience for their owners. Another bonus of owning horses with Leech Racing is that they are able to attract a great number of jockeys; a list which this season alone has included Paul Moloney (who regularly rides out and schools for the yard), Jason Maguire, Paddy Brennan, Noel Fehily, Richie McLernon, James Best, Donal Fahy, Donal Devereux and Stephen Clements.
If you are considering
racehorse ownership, whether it be alone, with a friend, or through joining a
racing club like CRC, don’t hesitate in contacting either Sophie or Christian
(whose contact details can be found on http://www.leechracing.co.uk/ ) to
discuss the different options available.
Racecourses at which Cheltenham Racing Club horses will have run between
1st April 2012 and 1st January 2013:
Bangor Cartmel Chepstow Fontwell
Hereford Ludlow Newton Abbot Perth
Plumpton Southwell Towcester Windsor
Wolverhampton Worcester
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