So, what's it like to be part of Hot To Trot Racing?

In our new weekly series on racing syndicates, we meet those involved, get their take on the ownership experience and outline the key details should you wish to join. This week: Hot To Trot Racing

• Read the full Join The Club series

The lowdown

How much does a share typically cost? A share is an all-inclusive £2,400 for the year for a 1/80th share in at least five leased horses with leading trainers spread across Britain, with two Flat syndicates and one for the jumps.

What does it get you? As well as a share in at least six horses, Hot To Trot offer a wide calendar of social events, yard visits and regular communication. There tends to be a main overseas trip each year, with a selection of Hot To Trot owners heading to Merano racecourse in Italy this September.

Hot To Trot members welcome back Flying Childers winner HeartacheCredit: Edward Whitaker

Do syndicate members get tickets every time their horse runs? Given there are 80 shareholders in each horse, it can depend on the interest in attending a raceday. Racing manager Sam Hoskins said: “Most of the time we're able to accommodate all requests but it depends on numbers and we always do our best for everyone. We occasionally take a box on busy days and can sometimes get additional tickets at half price.”

How do you communicate with members? Email is a regular communication method for Hot To Trot, while syndicate members are also able to use an ownership communication app. Hoskins said: “We regularly send over videos, photos, as well as audio updates and previews before each race.”

How often do members get to see their horses at home? Each Hot To Trot trainer hosts two yard visits per year. 

Which type of horse does the syndicate like to buy? All of the Hot To Trot horses are leased in a bid to keep costs “relatively low”. Hoskins, who nominated Rage Of Bamby and Cabrera as “two nice older fillies on the Flat” and Hollygrove Cha Cha as a jumps flagbearer, said: “We have lots of good relationships with breeders which enables us to race quality horses rather than buying and selling.”

Heartache: won the Queen Mary in 2017Credit: Mike Hewitt

What success have they had? Heartache was a landmark high-profile winner in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot in 2017. She went on to land the Flying Childers at Doncaster at the end of her juvenile campaign. More recently, Get Ahead, also trained by Clive Cox, finished a half-length second in the Flying Five at the Curragh in 2023.

Is there any chance of a return on investment? One of the Hot To Trot syndicates is set to receive around £700 per member after a review of 2024 prize-money, while the other two syndicates are getting back around £530.

How many horses and members does Hot To Trot Racing have? There are three syndicates of 80 members, with six horses in the jumps syndicate and seven in each of the two Flat syndicates.

Which trainers do Hot To Trot Racing use? Hot To Trot tend to have one horse with each chosen trainer to enable a greater geographical spread and increased number of yard visits. Clive Cox, James Fanshawe and Eve Johnson Houghton are among the Flat trainers, while the jumps trainers include Charlie Longsdon, Olly Murphy and Jamie Snowden.

More information can be found at www.hottotrotracing.com

The experience

Hot To Trot member Kerrie Lacey, 48, from Chandler's Ford

When did you first get involved with Hot To Trot Racing? My parents have been involved in Hot To Trot for several years and last spring my husband Gavin and I went along to a couple of the stable visits. We got absolutely hooked!

What do you like about the syndicate? The syndicate is so well run and you feel very involved. The stable visits are brilliant, you receive so much information on your horses and you get to go to the races when they run. We've been to the Tattersalls sales too, it's been an amazing experience and sparked lots of interest in the sport.

What’s been the highlight on the track? Seeing Skellig Isle win at Nottingham in August. It was phenomenal to be there and it was a rollercoaster of emotions. It was all very exciting to see her return to the winner's enclosure and collect the trophy.

What other aspects of your Hot To Trot involvement have you enjoyed? It's been great to travel to different racecourses and see different places. It's been interesting learning about the many facets to the sport – the sales in particular was like a whole different world. There's so much more to the industry than I had ever considered. 

Read more from the Join The Club series:

So, what's it like to be part of the Sam England Racing Club? 

So, what's it like to be part of Old Gold Racing? 

'They have a really good record, they're great at getting horses with winning potential and it's not massively expensive' 

Meet the 250-strong Ursa Major syndicate with 38 horses and 12 trainers - and why it feels like a 'big racing family' 

So, what's it like to be part of the Fakenham Race Club? 

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