FAQs
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.
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How many people are there in each syndicate?
This varies, usually from 10 to a maximum of 20 people.
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Who buys the Flat horses?
John and Jake Warren buy the majority 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.
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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.
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Who buys the National Hunt horses?
In most cases, the trainers are involved in the acquisition of new horses and are often put to us by them or a selection of Europe’s leading bloodstock agents. This successful policy has produced a high number of Listed and Graded National Hunt horses.
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How many winners have HTR had at Royal Ascot?
Ten. Many more than any other multi-ownership Company, all of which have contributed to an amazing win/placed strike rate at the Royal Meeting of 38%.
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How much does a share cost?
This differs from syndicate to syndicate but generally ranges from £5,950 up to £25,800
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When are the new Flat syndicates launched?
The majority of Syndicates are launched In June of each year. Many shares are sold before our Yearling Parades which take place in mid-October at Highclere Stud.
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When are the new National Hunt syndicates launched?
New syndicates can be launched at any time, but most likely in the spring to summer.
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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.
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What does the price of a share include for Flat horses?
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.
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What does the price of a share include for National Hunt horses?
The price of a share covers all expenses including the purchase and training of the horses for the first year. This includes vet bills, entry fees, transport etc. A smaller additional sum, which is clearly stated on the agreement form, is due for any subsequent years.
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How long do the Flat 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.
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How long do the National Hunt horses race?
The career of a National Hunt can generally last for much longer than a Flat horse. The term for each National Hunt syndicate is clearly stated on the agreement form.
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Are shares sold with VAT?
Yes. VAT is charged on each share but is reclaimed by HTR and paid back to the shareowners.
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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.
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Who trains the horses?
HTR only employs leading trainers; including William Haggas, Richard Hannon, Andrew Balding and Roger Varian on the Flat and Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Dan Skelton and Alan King over jumps.
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When do shareowners first see their Flat Racing bloodstock?
At the Yearling Parades held at Highclere Stud in mid-October.
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Can owners see their horses being trained?
Yes. 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 around the UK. If owners are unable to attend these visits we can arrange other days to fit in with their plans.
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How do I know when my horse is running?
Owners are kept fully informed as to the progress and running plans of their bloodstock. Horses are normally entered six days prior to the race and declared 48 hours (Flat Racing) and 24 hours (National Hunt Racing) before race day. Owners will be emailed at the entry stage and then called by phone once the horse has been declared.
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What happens on race day?
HTR organises for two owners’ badges to be collected from the owners’ entrance, which will give access to the paddock before the race. During the year Owners will 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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Has HTR ever won a Classic race?
Yes. Petrushka won The Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks in 2000 and became the first ever syndicate-owned Classic winner. Motivator, who was bought by John Warren for the Royal Ascot Racing Club and managed by HTR, won The 2005 Vodafone Derby. Horses managed by Highclere have now won or been placed in all five of the English Classics.
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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 £40,000 a year to train, insure, travel and vet one horse. In addition, the average price of a yearling in the 2019 Tattersalls October Book 2 Sale was 78,224 guineas. For the same money that it costs just to train one horse for one year, a Highclere owner can enjoy around two to three 100,000 guineas animals with all training fees paid through to the end of their three-year-old career.
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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 (Gr. 3)), Bannister (Gimcrack (Gr. 2)), Revenue (Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)), Supremacy (Windsor Forest Stakes (Listed)), Metaphoric (Fenwolf Stakes (Listed)) and Graphic (Prix Messidor (Gr. 3)). Most significantly, the Club has triumphed with Motivator in The Vodafone Derby (Gr. 1) at Epsom in 2005. Motivator also won both the Racing Post Trophy (Gr. 1) at Doncaster in 2004 and The Totesport Dante Stakes (Gr2) at York in 2005.
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Does Highclere run any syndicates outside of the UK?
Yes. Highclere currently have syndicates operating in France and Australia.
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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.