Racehorse ownership – an experience money CAN buy!

Owning racehorses is one of Australia’s oldest pastimes. What was once the exclusive domain of the affluent, is now accessible to people from all walks of life. And the potential financial returns have never been greater.

Over the last decade prizemoney has soared in Australia, with the number of $1million races increasing from 21 to 95!

Number of $1million+ races in 2024 (1 every 3.8 days)

1 in 63

Number of horses currently racing in Australia with at least half a million dollars in prizemoney

$136.5 million

Prizemoney bonus schemes available to owners in 2024

45%

Total prizemoney growth in the last 5 years

So, it’s hardly surprising to learn that Australia, despite a population of only 26 million, has more racehorse owners than America, Ireland, France, Japan and Hong Kong combined!

And you don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve greatness in this game.

Indeed, the top 8 sires in Australia last season cost between $62,500 and $260,000 as yearlings. Not bad when you consider some stallion deals can fetch up to $40 million.

With another sales season on our doorstep, beginning with the Magic Millions Gold Coast on Tuesday, it is timely to consider what Proven Thoroughbreds can offer prospective owners.

PROVEN RESULTS

In the last 3 years, Proven Thoroughbreds’ results, in terms of stakes racing and prizemoney, are superior to any competitor in Australia.

Stakes winners

Prizemoney ($)

%

Stakes winners to winners

UNMATCHED VALUE FOR MONEY

In October 2022 we raised our management fee to $9 + GST per 2.5% shareholder which is still around 8 times less than what is charged elsewhere.

Whether you choose to acquire a share through a syndicator or trainer, typically there is a commission or consultancy fee added to the purchase price. In some cases, the percentage can be as high as 12.5%. The average commission Proven applies to purchases is 5%.

THE PROVEN GUARANTEE

In a game where risk is inherent, Proven Thoroughbreds is the only company in Australia that provides mitigation of risk outside the initial insurance period – free of charge. ‘The Proven Guarantee’ as it is referred to, offers owners a credit of up to $2,500 (depending on purchase price) if injury or illness prevents your horse from getting to the races. To date, we’ve redeemed more than $150,000 in credit for our owners.

ELITE TRAINERS

At a time when syndicators are seemingly changing stables on a whim, Proven has forged enduring partnerships with Group 1 trainers Joe Pride, the O’Dea-Hoysted team and Kerry Parker. We believe this stability and familiarity has been instrumental in maintaining a consistent level of results.

TROPHY ALLOCATION

Unlike other syndicators, Proven does not retain trophies.

For trophies of an advertised value of less than $1500, recipients are randomly selected from the ownership group on a pro-rata share basis, i.e. those with a higher share percentage are more likely to be selected than those with a lower share percentage.

For trophies of an advertised value of $1500 or more, each owner will be entitled to the proceeds of its allocation.

EXPERIENCE MONEY CAN’T BUY

Jamie Walter estimates he has inspected well over 100,000 yearlings since forming Proven Thoroughbreds more than two decades ago.

“I shake my head when I look back on some of the yearlings I purchased when we first started out. But with years of experience and the considerable input of our trainers, I would like to think we’ve been able to enhance our ability to identify future winners. There are subtle aspects of yearling selection that are not necessarily apparent to the eye. Most racing professionals can find a horse with great physical attributes and pedigree but there is a lot more to it than that. It’s an imperfect science because the ‘perfect’ horse does not exist. You have to be able to decipher which flaws are acceptable and which are unacceptable because every horse has a price.”

Jamie Walter

Managing Director, Proven Thoroughbreds

PEDIGREE UPSIDE

One of the more nuanced aspects of yearling selection is identifying pedigrees with what is commonly referred to as ‘upside’.

2023 saw significant pedigree updates for two fillies purchased by Proven, therefore significantly boosting their breeding value.

COSMONOVA (By ZOUSTAR), an impressive maiden winner last month, is the half-sister to Group 1 winner MAGIC TIME (by HELLBENT). COSMONOVA would now be worth every bit of the $220k Proven paid for her as a yearling in 2022. Below is a replay of MAGIC TIME’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes victory in the spring.

The CAPITALIST x FRACTURE filly (now named BREAK FREE) looked to have a good deal of upside to her pedigree when she was acquired at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale earlier this year. Sure enough, within 3 months of her purchase, the half-sister SNAPPED won a Group 3 race.

MINIMAL ADMIN

One aspect of the ownership experience our clients appreciate is the management of accounts. Proven pays all suppliers from a dedicated account for each horse so you only ever have to pay into one account for ALL expenses, no more than 4 times a year.

There is enough admin for everyone in this day and age so let us take care of it for you!

For the aforementioned reasons, we invite you to share in the ownership experience with Proven Thoroughbreds!

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW ABOUT OUR NEW PURCHASES

    Magic Millions 2024 Sale countdown

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