Micro-ownership platform MyRacehorse receives financial backing from US racecourses

MyRacehorse, which had a dream start in the US when it owned part of the 2020 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Authentic, has announced a $7 million funding round led by the leading racecourse operator in the US. 

The group that runs several tracks including Santa Anita Park and Gulfstream Park, 1/ST Racing and Gaming, has backed the micro-ownership company, which hopes to expand its UK, Australia and US operations, as well as branch out into other sports. 

Launched in 2018, MyRacehorse offers fractional shares in horses for as little as $100 (£81) and has more than 50,000 active owners and 100 active horses, who have won more than races worldwide and amassed more than $20m in prize-money.

MyRacehorse, founded by businessman Michael Behrens, is most active in the US and Australia but has recently expanded to the UK and Ireland, and has a number of horses in training with George Baker, including the sprinters Watchya and Get It. 

Racing Together community day lauded once again

The Racing Together community day has been hailed as a record-breaking success following its fifth edition last month.

More than 75 employee teams volunteered in their local communities for 700 hours for more than 40 charities on the day, which took place on May 25. It included the likes of Daniel and Claire Kubler's yard delivering cakes to the elderly in Lambourn, while staff at Susan Corbett's yard volunteered at a care home.

The day was also a contributor to The Big Help Out initiative, which was part of King Charles's coronation earlier in the month.

John Blake, chief executive of Racing Together, said: "The 2023 community day has been the biggest yet. The enthusiasm and creativity shown by a range of teams has made a real impact on local causes and the communities around racing hubs. Community day is now well established within the calendar, but is only a snapshot of the work that racing people do year-round on a voluntary basis. The industry should be very proud."

British raiders place in German 1,000 Guineas as home challenger Habana proves too good

British challengers finished second and third behind impressive winner Habana in the German 1,000 Guineas at Dusseldorf on Sunday.

The Hugo Palmer-trained runner-up Stenton Glider was beaten three lengths, with Godolphin's Dream Of Love, from the Charlie Appleby yard, a further two-and-a-quarter lengths behind.

The Andreas Wohler-trained Habana was bouncing back to form in the Group 2 contest having disappointed in her previous two starts. She was well beaten in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend in October and only fourth over the German 1,000 Guineas course and distance last month in a Listed race.

Bookmakers pledge to donate profits from Royal Ascot race to charity

Bookmakers will donate all profits from the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot to charity, as part of celebrations for the King's coronation.

It is the fourth year that profits from a race at the meeting will be going to a good cause. Last year, £1.2 million was raised from the mile three-year-old handicap taking the overall donation total to £5.5 million since 2019.

The fundraising is organised by the Betting and Gaming Council with all leading betting firms signed up to the initiative. 

Charities set to receive money this year include SportsAid, the Holocaust Educational Trust, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, SAS Regimental Association (SASRA), Ascot Racecourse Supports and Together for Looked After Children.

Michael Dugher, chief executive of the BGC, said: “I'm once again delighted that the BGC’s largest members are helping celebrate the King’s coronation by raising vital funds at the royal meeting for some of the country’s top charities.

“Tens of millions of people up and down the country enjoy a flutter each month and I’m proud that betting companies will once more donate their profits from one of Royal Ascot’s top races, the Britannia Stakes, to go towards some great charities."

Cheltenham Festival-winning owner David Sewell dies aged 80

Alan King has paid tribute to "very special" Cheltenham Festival-winning owner David Sewell, who has died at the age of 80.

"It's very sad news," the trainer said. "His best horse was Oh Crick who won the Grand Annual and the Red Rum Chase as a novice and was then fifth in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, but he also had Sir Harry Ormesher, who won at the big Aintree meeting, and Montbazon, who was in the frame in the Supreme Novices' and County Hurdles.

"He was an owner with me for 20 years and he was a very special person, in all that time we never had a cross word. He was a delight to train for."

Sewell, who ran a property business, lived just a mile and a half from the racecourse in Cheltenham, in the house that he was born in.

King added: "He also supported Noel Williams, my old assistant, and he had a win with Another Crick at the start of the month.

"He hasn't been well for a while but in the last few months he's been going racing again, we had trips to Newbury and Haydock and he thoroughly enjoyed them."

His funeral will be held at 11am on Monday, June 26 at the Oak Chapel at Cheltenham Crematorium GL52 5JT.

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