Young owners syndicates’ target

Jack Stewart at White Robe Lodge with broodmare Ears Carol when she was carrying a colt by...
Jack Stewart at White Robe Lodge with broodmare Ears Carol when she was carrying a colt by Ghibellines. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Taieri horseman Jack Stewart is paving the way for dozens of new owners to be involved in the thoroughbred racing industry.

And he is doing it by shattering the myths that put keen 20-somethings off racehorse ownership.

Stewart is the son of White Robe Lodge studmasters Wayne and Karen and works at the famed stud.

The horseman could also take the title unofficial stud racehorse syndicator as he has a tally of 34 owners aged from 20 to 30 who have gone from occasional racegoers to hardcore racing fans via the thrills of owning gallopers.

The group is made up of mainly Taieri Rugby Club faithful, ex Otago Boys’ High School mates and even a group of Highlanders players.

Breaking down the myth that racing a horse was too expensive and out of the reach of the average wage-earner was a key to attracting so many people into shares in horses.

Before Stewart put his first syndicate together, he laid out the financial commitment in relatable terms to the group.

"We just got 10 of us and I said for the same amount you would spend on a Red Bull and vodka in town on a Saturday night you can race a horse."

The syndicate was soon leasing a half share in a young horse by Gallant Guru named Willow.

Fast forward to now and Willow has given Stewart’s bunch of 10 syndicate members five wins to celebrate.

That could go to six wins at Ascot Park on Saturday when the horse steps up to 1600m for the first time this preparation.

Despite where the horse finishes, Stewart thinks he has already got a bunch of racing tragics on his hands.

"That is the beauty of having these syndicates is that they are keen for life now."

Part of attracting young, first-time owners into horses was communicating to them that owning the horse they would race was not a necessity.

The three syndicates Stewart has set up all lease part-shares in horses, which makes it affordable for the members.

Two other factors are essential for the success of the syndicates.

Consistent updates and group discussions on social media help keep all members informed and let them have their say. That only fuels the social side, which involves the groups getting together to celebrate their successes and makes the ownership experience even better.

Stewart has another group of Taieri Rugby club players and supporters in the Silverstream Racing Club syndicate.

They have a racing share in consistent maiden Itemize and will also race a Showcasing filly from eight-win mare Cherry Creek, the dam of Coulee.

Itemize is nominated to race over 1600m at Wingatui on Friday.

Stewart’s syndicating skills have also resulted in him sourcing a horse for a group of current and recently departed Highlanders players.

Ben Smith, James Lentjes, Marty Banks, Rob Thompson, Richard Buckman, Craig Millar, Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Joe Wheeler and Gareth Evans will race 3yr-old Invite who is making her way to the races.

The Raise The Flag filly is a half-sister to the three-time listed and 10-race winner Include.

Stewart also has his eyes set on forming new syndicates and replenishing the stocks of his current syndicates when their horses retire with the stock of rookie sire Ghibellines.

"I can’t wait. They just look like they can run and I am looking forward to getting some syndicates into them."

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