6:00am Friday 3rd July 2009
By Iain Liddle
Horse racing: Staverton Owners Group celebrated their tenth win of the season on Friday but their founder is now desperate for more support to help keep his dream alive.
The group was formed in January 2008 by horse racing enthusiast Michael Blake with the aim of allowing small-time punters the chance become more involved in the sport.
While membership numbers have steadily increased, and results on the track have been above expectations, Blake is seeking more people to take advantage of the £199 annual membership.
“I’ve always had an interest in the sport,” he said. “So I took a few pointers from people and and we had three horses when we first started.
“We have around 100 owners now but that isn’t enough. I’m funding the shortfall myself at the moment and we need around 250 members ideally.
“This is entirely a non-profit making activity for myself. Racing has always been known as the sport of kings but our aim is to get the man on the street involved at a reasonable price.”
Irish horse Come Out Firing became the group’s tenth winner of the season when he was first past the post in the Betfair Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen on Friday, June 26.
It was the fourth time this year the seven-year-old has been victorious while stablemate Heir To Be has come first an incredible five times in the same period.
Irish nine-year-old Low Delta was the other horse to win in the collective’s trademark blue and red stripes.
Meanwhile the group’s most prized asset Border Castle, which won the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April 2008, is cantering in the trainer’s yard again after overcoming a tendon injury which has kept it on the sidelines for more than a year.
All horses are trained at Andy Haynes’ Limpley Stoke stables.
“It’s not a complete surprise but it’s very unusual to win that number of races,” said Blake, from Staverton.
“Come Out Firing will race again on July 12 at Southall in what is quite a decent race. We don’t know how good he could be at the moment but this will be another step on the ladder.
“Heir To Be will run at Worcester on August 7 in a lower-class race, but he has found his level.
“Border Castle is only a few months away from racing again though which is something for everyone to look forward to as he is the best of the bunch.”
Group owners also receive a weekly e-mail updating them on the horses’ progress and a confidential phone number which rates their prospects on race days.
“The owners vary in style,” said Blake. “Some come and watch races and some you never hear from.
“I make all the decisions along with the trainer but I do get some advice from owners, I can assure you of that.”
Anyone interested in becoming a member should log onto stavertonowners group.co.uk
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