SD's Racing Ramble: Who is holding rip-off syndicates accountable?
Having amassed a loyal following on our Races Now YouTube channel thanks to a combination of outstanding tipping and forthright opinions, the inimitable 'SD' has now signed up for a weekly column right here on OddsNow.com!
This week's edition tackles the murky world of horse racing syndicates and their questionable pricing structures.
We are all in this great game to try and make a bit of money. Nobody can begrudge that – but the current situation of microshares does appear to be taking advantage of the general public.
It is regrettable this issue has not been flagged before, but most of the media (with likely remuneration) seem to back this scheme. In adding their weight behind schemes which are profitable for the syndicates themselves, they are exacerbating the problem.
Perhaps it is best to look at a working example. A well-known syndicate has a horse for sale currently at £45 per share with 3,500 shares available. Roughly, it you were to list all days of the last nine years in order, you would own one.
They value the horse at £50,000. The horse has run twice in the UK after winning its point to point following a two-year break. It finished last of nine on hurdles debut, but thankfully fared better next time, finishing 11th of 12 finishers.
The fees do not end there. Within the £45, there is a “management and service provision fee”. Quite amongst the blurb what this is, I have no idea, but it equates to £13 per share. This equates to £45,500 assuming all shares are sold.
The margins on such schemes are eye-watering. Those in the media have a moral responsibility to look after the general public rather than fill their own pockets. Some of these schemes, when looked into, have a feeling of ripping the public off. It is to be hoped they do not continue in their current guise.
It would only be fair, however, to mention those who do do it correctly.
Ursa Major Racing have a very good transparent pricing structure. Prices are typically per 2.5% per share, at £50-£65 per month and with minimal creaming off the top – plus a leader in Craig Talbot who cares about his customers. If only they could all be like him.
Taking the Nic
Utterly farcical scenes at Taunton on Tuesday, where Olive Nicholls rode but did not train the winner, but trained the third.
Nobody is suggesting anything nefarious went on, but in the interests of transparency and making our great game look good, this absurd rule should be jettisoned at the earliest opportunity.
In the 4.45 at Taunton today, Olive Nicholls rode the winner, finishing ahead of Didero Vallis in third, who is trained by... Olive Nicholls 🤯 pic.twitter.com/0lEB1nb9Hx
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) February 18, 2025
A 25/1 handicap hunch
Whilst we are in full Festival mode, absolutely devouring the days until Match with aplomb (if you believe virtually every twitter post) , we might as well pick one for a handicap.
Gericault Rocque has been handled very patiently by the Pipe team and looks all set for the Kim Muir. A mark of 131 is very acceptable for this former Cheltenham Festival runner-up, who shaped well after a lengthy layoff at Windsor.
He can reward both connections patience and your pocket at current odds of 25/1.
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