Enjoy success with GROG

It has an attractive record over the years, putting racehorse ownership at the fingertips of most people, enabling them to own part of a horse for two years for just 725, with all associated costs included in the membership fee.

Apart from seeing their horse race, over the years GROG members have have travelled to racecourses including Santa Anita in California and Nad al Sheba in Dubai and social events have taken them to Highclere Castle and Stud; Bloomsbury Stud and Woburn Abbey; The Irish National Stud; the Lavington Stud and Whitsbury Manor Stud. It shows there is also much enjoyment to be had away from the racecourse.

Organiser Gail Brown said:" We shall be going to the sales this autumn, where the horse will be bought by an independent bloodstock agent in conjunction with John Dunlop from the Tattersall yearling sales. The horse will start racing for the group on the Flat for two years, starting in 2010 as a two-year-old.

"At least three complimentary social events each year, and some non-profit making visits to various historic racing establishments are part of our programme. We also endeavour to take members overseas each year and they are regularly provided with excellent complementary facilities at Goodwood."

Goodwood became the first flat racecourse to offer ownership to its racegoers in 1994.

A maximum of 200 shares are offered in each syndicate horse. Members receive monthly newsletters, have use of a non-premium telephone information line service and access to a private area of the Goodwood website.

"We are now offering membership for the 17th scheme - it is actually the 16th but we skipped scheme 13 for those who are superstitious," said Gail.

The first GROG horse was Goodwood Rocket, which was placed three times, and there have been some exceptional investments such as Goodwood Blizzard, bought for 12,000 guineas and sold for 58,000 guineas after winning more than 33,000 prize money- all of which benefitted the owners' group of that year.

Goodwood Maestro won in fine style at Goodwood earlier this season for GROG at the attractive price of 11-1. The classy colt has been recovering from a resulting injury and has made good progress. He is expected to run again before the end of the season.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the 17th scheme should contact Gail Brown on 07860 361444.