Purses can be lucrative in the game of racing. Purses for Maiden Special Weight races at tracks like Keeneland and Churchill are close to $50,000. Of course, for this sport to thrive, it can’t be winner take all. Purses are divided up by placings with the higher percentages of the purses going to the higher finishers in the race. A typical race purse is distributed as follows.

1^st place – 60% ; 2^nd place – 20% ; 3^rd place – 10%; 4^th place – 6%; 5^th place – 3%; 6^th place – 1%

Other variations exist. The most typical is 60, 20, 10, 5 and an amount large enough to cover pony and jockey fees to the rest of the finishers. Taking our first example, payouts to the first 6 finishers in a race with a $50,000 purse would look like the following:

1^st place – $30,000; 2^nd place – $10,000; 3^rd place – $5,000; 4^th place – $3,000; 5^th place – $1,500; 6^th place – $500

Now let’s say your horse wins this $50,000 race. Just as you are part of a team that owns this horse and shares in the earnings, you have a team on race day that is entitled a standard level of compensation prior to the owners getting their share of the purse. The standard breakdown looks like this:

The first place finisher earns $30,000. The winning jockey receives 10% of the purse and the winning trainer receives 12% of the purse (2% is given to stable help). The rest goes to the members of the Company. The breakdown is $3,000 to the jockey, $3,600 to the trainer and stable, and $23,400 to the owners. Still a pretty nice paycheck. All 9% Interests receive 9% of the $23,400 or $2,106. It generally takes several wins or solid efforts to get back in the black. Its not easy to make a profit in this business. Some owners will make a monumental profit and that possibility makes the risk worthwhile for many of us. Some owners will struggle to cover expenses because they race horses who are consistently “also rans”. Individuals that partner with us do so because they believe our team’s experience, preparation, and attention to detail will significantly increase their chances of racing a winner and making a profit.

Why Now is a Good Time to Own a Racing Thoroughbred

The Thoroughbred Racing Industry appears headed for a period of significant growth.

In recent years, gross sales for two year-olds sold in the United States have surged and gross purses offered by tracks have increased as economic conditions and legislation continued to be favorable for the Thoroughbred Racing Industry.

In 2006, states without alternate gaming, like Kentucky and Maryland continued to press the issue. Kentucky racetrack purses are already some of the best in the nation and there appears to be a reasonable chance alternate gaming will be approved in the Commonwealth in the coming years. States that recently passed gaming legislation including West Virginia and Louisiana have seen double digit increases in purses distributed to owners since gaming was introduced. It seems logical that purse increases would be likely in Kentucky and other states as well if alternative gaming legislation were to pass. Pennsylvania interests are already expanding race tracks and breeding programs and increasing purses due to the introduction of slot machines at racetracks in that state.

There are strong hints that synthetic racing surfaces, like those installed for racing at Turfway Park, Hollywood Park, Woodbine, and Keeneland, have the potential to boost mutual wagering handles and race purses at tracks across the country as popularity spreads. Synthetic surfaces, when well maintained, are kinder than dirt to horse’s legs so horses may have more opportunities to run and earn purse money in an average year. Kinder racing surfaces create a positive cycle. Horses running back sooner make for fuller fields that attract more betting from the public. More betting leads to larger purses. Larger purses attract more horses further ensuring full fields. Turfway saw double digit increases in handle and increases in purses in its inaugural meets with the new surface. Keeneland has already had a successful meet with its new synthetic surface, and the California Horse Racing Commission is enforcing a rule requiring the installation of a synthetic race surface at all major tracks by the end of 2007. Arlington Park also installed a synthetic surface this Spring. A number of other tracks nationwide are considering synthetic track installation.

The flags are blowing in the right direction for the Thoroughbred Industry. As purses increase and popularity grows, more and more opportunities to make money in the business are becoming available to current and prospective owners.

Fringe Benefits

Members in Honor Roll Racing Company’s will receive the intangible benefits. The excitement of seeing their horse's name in the program and the rush of adrenaline from watching their horse compete on the track along with the sense of commoradory felt from being part of the team.

Owners will also get privileged treatment at the race track on days when their horse competes. Honor Roll Racing staff will arrange for free seating at the track on race day and a winner’s circle photo for each member of the team if the team’s horse wins.

Licensed owners will receive free parking and admission at most tracks in the state or states where they are licensed, whether or not their horse is racing. Owners will also be granted access to the paddock and stable areas to meet with trainers and jockeys.

*Team Manager John Christensen and owner Ted M. Routt celebrate a wire-to-wire victory by Mafia Queen.