Want to pay £9.99 a month for a Cheltenham runner? How point-to-point syndicates are making a splash

Syndicate ownership has been on the rise in recent years and its virtues could be well advertised in the coming weeks by two horses who have already represented the Pointing Syndicate Racing Club with distinction.

The club’s flagbearer Captain Tommy has won two hunter chases and is set to head to Ludlow next week, while dual point-to-point winner For One Night Only could line up at Cheltenham’s hunter chase evening in the intermediate final.

Dom D’Antonio took inspiration from large National Hunt syndicates when founding the club, which is now in its second season.

“I come from a non-horsey background and went point-to-pointing with my grandfather as a child,” he explains. “I love pointing and hunter chasing and wanted to set up a racing club with horses capable of doing both. Having two doing just that is brilliant. Tommy has exceeded expectations and hopefully there's more to come. Both horses are trained in Cheshire by Fred Timmis, who has been fantastic to work with.”

Shared ownership has become more prevalent during the cost of living crisis. There is no doubt that training a point-to-pointer can be just as costly as training a horse under rules: staff wages, feed bills, gallop hire and other costs are largely comparable. By spreading these expenses and reducing individual risk, syndicates are an attractive and accessible option.

D’Antonio is well aware of this and offers ownership in two tiers, starting from as little as £9.99 per month.

He says: “For £9.99 a month, members get a racehorse ownership experience with yard visits, regular WhatsApp updates and access to a ticket ballot for racedays, although all members are welcome to attend and share the experience. Our £250-per-month tier offers a more personal involvement with guaranteed raceday tickets and hospitality. Coming from a hospitality background, I make sure there's always a great picnic and drinks available. Seeing people enjoying themselves is what it’s all about – pointing and racing provide natural entertainment.”

Jockey Huw Edwards and syndicate founder Dom D'Antonio after Captain Tommy's win at Ludlow last month

As well as helping with cost, shared ownership brings with it a vibrant social element and a broader support network to help absorb the inevitable disappointments that come with racing.

This social side is key for long-time supporter Alex Wales, who has been involved in syndicates with the yard of Tom Ellis and Gina Andrews.

“We live in East Anglia and Gina, her sister Bridget and brother Jack have all ridden for us,” he says. “We joined syndicates with the Ellis team a few seasons ago and have had so much fun. It’s not just about the horses doing well; the social side is huge for us. We’ve reconnected with old friends, made many new ones, and travelled the country visiting some beautiful courses. Pip and Tony Ellis, Tom’s parents, always bring amazing picnics, and we all share the same ethos: win, lose or draw, we have fun.”

Yorkshire trainer Jacqueline Scutt (née Coward) is another huge advocate of syndicates, saying: “They’re the way forward. Years ago, Richard Morris, a great owner and my dad’s best friend, passed away, and we set up a syndicate in his memory. It’s still going strong, running in his iconic yellow colours, with great local support. Being proactive is key – keeping everyone updated with photos, videos and group messages really matters. We have to move with the times and people love regular updates. One day, I’d love to see a large, nationwide pointing syndicate, something like Middleham Park Racing for pointing.”

Large syndicates are becoming increasingly popular in National Hunt racing, extending ownership to people who may never have considered it before. Even a small share offers passionate fans the chance to get up close and personal with the horses they love, deepening their connection to the sport – and a Cheltenham winner whose owners have paid just £9.99 for the privilege would be no finer selling point.

Weekend fixtures

Friday

Higham, Suffolk, CO7 6LD. First race 2.10pm, 6 races.

Saturday

Flete Park, Devon, PL21 9NU. 2pm. 6 races.

Kimble, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8TB. 1.30pm. 6 races.

Sandon, Staffordshire, ST18 0DL. 1pm. 6 races.

Dingley, Leicestershire, 2pm, 6 races.

Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire, DY10 4QT. 2pm. 6 races.

Monday

Trebudannon, Cornwall, TR8 4LP. 1pm. 6 races. 

Paxford, Gloucestershire, GL55 6XS. 1pm. 6 races.

Lockinge, Oxfordshire, OX12 8PA. 2pm. 6 races.

Cothelstone, Somerset, TA4 3DT. 1.30pm. 6 races.

Eyton-on-Severn, Shropshire, SY5 6PW. 1pm. 6 races.

Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5QA. 1.30pm. 6 races.

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