Laurel Oak’s all-girl syndicates
The promotion of all-girl syndicates at the 2012 Magic Millions Yearling Sale has made the concept very popular. At Laurel Oak Bloodstock we have been racing all-girl syndicates for some years now, so we like to think that the Magic Millions promotion was inspired by our model.
The first all-girl syndicate happened quite by accident. At lunch after a Laurel Oak Golf Day I commented that a colt we had recently bought had had the first 40% taken up by ladies. The conversation around the table concluded that we should make it an all-girl syndicate and the idea quickly caught on, the horse was quickly filled and pink and white racing colours were selected. One great aspect was the number of family groups (e.g. mum/daughter/granddaughter combinations) taking up shares.
It was agreed by the syndicate that we should include a fund-raising aspect to it, and with the support of the horse’s trainer Gary Portelli, who made a donation from his training fees, Laurel Oak’s donation of management costs, and agreement that 10% of the owners’ share of prizemoney would be donated, this was instantly in place generating regular donations to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Unfortunately the colt turned out to be slow, however with the idea well established we set out to go to the sales again, but this time to buy a filly that had prospects of racing early. It was mission accomplished when we bought a filly who became appropriately named ‘Pink Power’. She hit the ground running, and in her first seven starts as a 2yo and 3yo all on Sydney tracks she earned seven prizemoney cheques, including a win. She was great fun and race days were a fantastic social gathering with all the girls dressed in pink, and partners and family along for the day. The concept worked brilliantly. By the end of her 3yo season, the Pink Power syndicate had donated over $14,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Now we have our third all-girl syndicate racing a new 2yo filly with Gary Portelli, and certainly the concept will continue while ever the demand and interest is there from the ladies.
Laurel Oak started out as traditional syndicators 25 years ago, but after 15 years we had built up such a loyal clientele that effectively we are now bloodstock agents for a private client base, and buy exclusively for them. The great flexibility of ownership within our syndicates makes it easy for you to race a horse as you can take any share size from 1% to 100% of a horse. You decide what works best for you.
We focus on informative communication and a strong social element so that people have a good time, regardless of how their horse is doing! That includes race day functions, Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate tours, stable visits, golf days and, more recently an international touring schedule, which has simply grown due to its popularity. Recently we completed our fourth Royal Ascot tour, and we try to vary what we do after Ascot week. Previously we have been to Ireland, Paris, and the USA. In 2013 we will be going to South Africa. We also do an annual tour to the spectacular Hong Kong International race meeting, while we also do a tour of the New Zealand stud farms each year with a few extra sights of New Zealand’s North Island added in.
We welcome all enquiries to join our client base and enjoy the racing experience with Laurel Oak. To find out more about Laurel Oak simply contact us by phone or email we will stay in touch with you and introduce you to our range of social functions and tours. Then next year when the yearling sales start you are very welcome to join us in racing a horse, or horses, at a percentage level that works best for you with a trainer of your choice. To find out more please contact:
Louis Mihalyka – Laurel Oak Bloodstock Pty Ltd
Making racehorse ownership Easy and Enjoyable
Phone 02 8883 1066| Fax 02 8883 1266 | Mobile 0418 962 858
Email office@laureloak.com.au; website www.laureloak.com.au