THE next meeting at Hereford Racecourse takes place on Tuesday, with the inaugural Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) Industry Ownership Raceday showcasing racehorse ownership.

There are around 8,000 current members of the ROA which was formed to both promote and protect the interests of racehorse owners in Britain in 1945, by Sir Malcolm McAlpine, writes Hereford Racecourse Chief Executive Rebecca Davies.

The ROA is also a shareholder in the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the sport’s governing body and are committed to making ownership more cost-effective and enjoyable.

The raceday is an opportunity for the racecourse to celebrate racehorse ownership and for racegoers to learn more about the wonderful world of being a racehorse owner.

Once upon a time, racehorse ownership was only for the select few.

Now, there are other ways to experience the joy of being an owner opening the opportunity up to everyone.

This was demonstrated at Hereford’s last fixture where Herefordshire trainer Kerry Lee paraded syndicate horse Magic Dancer, and another local trainer will be doing the same on Tuesday to help raise the profile of Hereford trainers and accessibility of racehorse ownership.

To become a sole-owner of a racehorse you first have to purchase one.

You can ask a bloodstock agent, or a trainer to help you with this or head to the sales yourself.

Once you have purchased your horse, you need to find a suitable trainer to send it to.

There are many affordable options which now includes racing clubs and syndicates.

Usually, a racing club will buy or lease a horse for you, and you just pay a monthly/annual fee to be involved with a large group.

Syndicates are a bit more personal… You purchase a share in a horse, then split the costs associated with keeping it in training with other shareholders.

Interested in getting involved – why not head to Hereford Racecourse and find out more from the experts on Tuesday?