So, what's it like to be part of a Ross Burdon Racing Syndicate?

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: Ross Burdon Racing Syndicate

• Read the full Join The Club series

The lowdown

How much does a share typically cost?
It depends on the purchase price of the horse. A one per cent share in Gundogan, who was bought for £25,200 (including VAT), is a one-off £250 plus £30 a month. In Mesaafi, who cost £18,750, it is £200 plus £30 a month. The minimum share is one per cent and there is no maximum share.

Ross Burdon on Gundogan

What does it get you?
Each horse has a WhatsApp, which is updated at least twice a week with news on its wellbeing and running plans, and there is media once a week. Previews, paddock videos and post-race jockey comments are posted on racedays for those who cannot be on course. The shareholders' welcome pack includes a pin badge, a print of their horse captured by a local artist and a certificate of ownership.

Typically, how many owners are there in each horse?
At the moment there are 20 people with shares in Mesaafi and 12 in Gundogan. Shares in both are still available.

Do syndicate members receive tickets every time their horse runs?
“We haven’t had any issues yet,” Burdon says. “We work with courses to get any extra badges we might need. If you ring them and ask for more, most courses will give you them for £10 and I don’t mind swallowing that extra cost.”

How often do members see their horses at home?
Members can see them as often as they want. Burdon stresses the club has an “open door” policy and there is no issue for anyone seeing the horses, provided they give 24 hours' notice. “Horses may run eight times a year and we are conscious that people want value for money across the ten months it might be in training,” he said. “We are also trying to organise official coffee mornings during the season for anyone who wants to see the horses on the gallops.”

Which type of horse does the syndicate like to buy?
The aim is to buy three-year-olds in the autumn to race on the Flat at four the following season. At the end of that campaign they will go back to the sales, while they retain resale value.

What success have they had?
Mesaafi gave the syndicate its first win in a 6f handicap at Newcastle in January. He was beaten a short head and a nose into third at Kempton next time and will be its first runner on turf when he races at next month’s Newmarket Craven meeting.

Is there any chance of a return on investment?
Prize-money will be collected and paid out to shareholders in each horse in June and there will be a second payment in October after the horse is sold.

Where is the syndicate based?
Newmarket. 

Which trainers does the syndicate use?
It is currently with Simon Pearce but Burdon, a former jockey who has worked for Sir Henry Cecil, Andrew Balding and Roger Varian and spent time with Chris Waller in Australia, expects to be granted a licence to train himself this spring.

Ross Burdon: hopes to be granted a licence to train soon

The experience

Ross Burdon Racing Syndicate shareholder Adam Riches

What's been the highlight on the track?
Mesaafi winning up at Newcastle. I wasn't there, it was a Saturday evening and I was out with my missus, but I watched it on my phone in the restaurant.

Adam Riches (hooped sweater, next to the jockey) enjoys a win with another syndicate at Kempton

And biggest disappointment?
When Mesaafi was beaten at Wolverhampton on his first run for the syndicate. We thought there was a fair bit of upside to him when he was bought and we had a little financial interest in him that day, but he finished last. It was disappointing but that's racing.   

What do you like about the way the syndicate does ownership?
We get very regular updates. Ross and his partner Hollie are very good and put out videos and other news on plans for the week ahead. Everyone is in the WhatsApp group together and it's very transparent.

How do you find sharing ownership with strangers?
I genuinely prefer it. I own a horse or two outright myself but having the experience by yourself isn't as much fun. In a group you share the highs and lows together and you meet like-minded people. I've met people through other racing clubs who've become very good friends and I look forward to meeting the great bunch who are in Ross's syndicate at the races soon.  

Read more from the Join The Club series:

'Their engagement is outstanding' - so, what's it like to be part of RaceShare?  

So, what's it like to be part of Brownsbarn Thoroughbreds? 

So, what's it like to be part of Middleham Park Racing? 

So, what's it like to be part of Hot To Trot Racing? 

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