Fancied owning a racehorse? Racing pundit Jim McGrath invites you to find out how

March 2, 2012 - PRLog -- TV personalities Liz Hurley and Ant and Dec are enthustiastic racehorse owners but its a pleasure not solely reserved for celebrities. For those interested in enjoying the sport as an owner, legendary racing expert Jim McGrath is hosting a champagne lunch on March 25th at York Racecourse to find out more.

“Four yearlings bought last year by Inner Circle Thoroughbreds are all progressing well under the expert guidance of trainers MarkJohnston and Richard Fahey” Jim commented. “We're looking forward to their first inaugral parade  for interested owners to see them."

With the advent of syndicates, racehorse ownership has become accessible to many, with shares from under £10,000. Sir Alex Ferguson said recently of Manchester United “'It is a great club but you still need to release yourself from it and it (horse racing) has helped.' Just two weeks ago Wayne Rooney followed his boss into the sport when he unveilled the name of his new two year old colt – Switcharooney - who now has a Twitter account with over 800 followers.

“Racecourse attendances grew in 2011 and we hope that giving people a slice of the excitement through joining a syndicate will continue to support the sport in the future,”
Inner Circle director Peter Bell commented.

Despite the gloomy economy, figures released earlier this year showed that British racecourses attracted record crowds in 2011 with aggregate attendances exceeding 6.15 million for the first time. One of the Inner Circle syndicates has been named “Carpe Diem”, an apt title to encourage potential owners to “seize the day” on March 25th.

“Horseracing is accessible to all at every level” Jim commented “But for those who truly want to experience the unique pleasure of watching their own horse parade in the ring, race and progress over 2 years, ownership is a must.”

Inner Circle Thoroughbreds will formally launch their first two syndicates at York Racecourse on Sunday 25th March.  Invited guests will have the opportunity to see all four of the Inner Circle two year olds (Carpe Diem and Ab Ovo syndicates) and meet the team behind a strong, experienced Company that includes Peter Bell, Jim McGrath, and trainers Mark Johnston and Richard Fahey. A parade of the horses will be followed by a champagne reception and Sunday lunch, and interested parties can request an invitation by contacting enquiries@innercirclethoroughbreds.com.  

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Notes for editors :

Jim McGrath and other members of the Company are available for interview on request. Please contact Helen Buteux, helen@iamnowmedia.com or call 0845 47 47 134 http://www.iamnowmedia.com PR agency, Hampshire

Photographs of the team and horses are available for use on request. see http://www.innercirclethoroughbreds.com for photos of all horses and trainers

Press passes for the York launch and parade are available from Helen@iamnowmedia.com

For more information on the syndicates visit http://www.innercirclethoroughbreds.com

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/pete_ICT

http://www.twitter.com/mcgracing

Jim McGrath :

Jim McGrath has long been recognised as one of the country’s most successful punters, with a knowledge of the form-book which is second to none. One of the faces of Channel 4 Racing since the early eighties, Jim’s pre-race paddock analysis, alongside former champion National Hunt jockey John Francome, is essential viewing for stay-at-home punters. Jim also appears regularly on The Morning Line, Channel 4’s informative and occasionally irreverent Saturday morning look at the weekend’s racing. Jim spent nearly forty years at Timeform, occupying the roles of Chief Racecourse Reporter, Racing Director, Managing Director and Chairman and is a former independent director of horseracing’s governing body, the BHA.

Peter Bell :

Peter Bell spent four years at international accountancy firm Price Waterhouse and his passion for horse racing was cemented during the years when Nijinsky, Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerard redefined the term “Golden Age”. He spent over 20 years at Timeform, serving as Finance Director and Deputy Managing Director and representing the Company at many of the big international meetings overseas. Peter also took the lead role in the sale of the Company to online betting firm Betfair, subsequently being appointed Chief Operating Officer.

Richard Fahey :

Fahey has expanded his training operation at Musley Bank, Malton into one of the biggest in the country. His tally of winners has rocketed to some 1500 since he first took out a licence with seasonal totals on the Flat since 2008 of 113, 165, 181 and 160. Blessed with a quick wit, endearing personality and a laid-back manner, which disguises a hugely competitive nature, Fahey has been leading trainer at York for the last 6 seasons. At the end of the latest campaign, he was the leading northern-based handler for the first time. Richard’s success has played a huge role in Paul Hanagan being crowned Champion Flat Jockey for the last two seasons, a fact acknowledged by the jockey on his appointment last week as first jockey to Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum, a member of the ruling family of Dubai.

Mark Johnston :

One of the leading trainers in Europe, first granted a trainer’s licence in 1987, he sent out his first winner that summer and has since had an astonishing run of success. He now commands a training complex comprising 270 acres, which includes some of the finest facilities in racing. Mark first trained a hundred winners in a season in 1994 and, in addition to the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, his umpteen other big-race wins around Europe include the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (three times) and the Goodwood Cup (five times). Intelligent and opinionated, he’s also hugely competitive and scrupulously honest.

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