What a month for RacehorseClub!

Since launching on 1st April 2021 RacehorseClub has enjoyed some great performances on the racecourse. Headlining the glory over jumps was Balko Des Flos who ran an almighty race to finish 2nd in the Grand National, one of the world’s most famous races, at 100-1. Balko Des Flos was bought just 17 days before the great race, giving his members a huge thrill. Four members of Balko Des Flos attended Aintree as owners and what a day they had!

Thrilled ballot winners

Lisa Gillespie was one of the ballot winners who attended with her father, Gabriel: “We were greeted on arrival at Aintree and taken for a beautiful lunch. We got pictures with Balko before the race and then after the race we got to speak to Henry de Bromhead and Aidan Coleman. To be involved in a Grand National second was just the most amazing thrill and experience we’ve ever had. It’s a day me and my dad won’t ever forget and we thank RacehorseClub for giving us the opportunity of a lifetime. It was also great to meet the other ballot winners as well”.

Martin Dixon, a ticket ballot winner who attended Newbury said, "A very big thank you for organising my visit to Newbury races. The experience from start to finish was most excellent. The Lir Jet ran very well indeed, I am excited to think what he can achieve over the summer!"

A Grand National 2nd

Balko Des Flos’ trainer Henry de Bromhead who also trained the winner, Minella Times, was elated with his performance and reported both horses received a heroes welcome on return back to his yard in Ireland. Jockey Aidan Coleman couldn’t have been happier with Balko saying “his enthusiasm and performance confirmed what a top-class horse he is and there’s a lot of fun to be had with him in the upcoming season”. Balko Des Flos is in rude health and is now enjoying his holiday. Next season’s targets will be the Cheltenham cross-country races and another crack at the Grand National.

Thanks to our trainers and riders

Welsh Grand National and last year’s Virtual Grand National winner Potters Corner also represented RacehorseClub in the Grand National and ran a credible race before he and regular jockey Jack Tudor pulled up just before jumping Becher’s for the 2nd time (fence 22). Potters Corner, trained by Christian Williams in Wales, possibly found the going a bit quick and didn’t have the best luck in running with horses falling around him but Christian reported he came out of the race in great form and is now enjoying a well-deserved break. The handicapper dropped him 4lbs post Aintree and his current target races include the Welsh Grand National as well as Cheltenham’s cross-country races.

Both Balko DesFlos and Potters Corner will return to work in mid-July.

The first of our runners on the flat was Royal Ascot’s Group 2 Norfolk Stakes winner The Lir Jet who was highly impressive when finishing 3rd in the Greenham Stakes (Group 3) at Newbury– a run which fills us with great confidence for a stellar season ahead.

Dual Champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy, official RacehorseClub ambassador, who partnered The Lir Jet at Newbury was delighted with his performance. The winner of the race went on to finish 5thin the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday, the first Classic of the season, so the form is strong.The Lir Jet will run in the French 2000 Guineas at Paris Longchamp on 16th May where he is likely to be partnered by jockey Cieren Fallon before heading to Royal Ascot. He currently has entries in the St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1, 1mile) andthe Commonwealth Cup (Group 1, 6f). We might also consider the Jersey Stakes (Group 3, 7f) – a decision will be made following Paris Longchamp.

Create Belief, the latest addition to RacehorseClub’s string, is a smart 3yo filly in training with former Irish Champion Jockey, Johnny Murtagh. She won her maiden impressively at Gowran Park in early April before her first run for RacehorseClub at Navan in a listed race over 1m2f on 25th April where she just weakened inside the final furlong. The plan is to run her on Irish Guineas weekend at the Curraghon 22ndMayin a premier handicap back over a mile, before hopefully heading to Royal Ascot with the target being the Sandringham.

The members area

Members are reminded to keep logging into the members area on the website to see updates on their horses. Updates are uploaded as soon as RacehorseClub receive them so members do not have to rely on simply a weekly report. Viewing updates will be made even easier as the RacehorseClub app will be launched very soon, so keep an eye out for that.

Upcoming ballots

RacehorseClub is delighted to showcase the ‘best seats in the house’ to ticket ballot winning members and have already given great days to our members at Aintree and Newbury. The feedback has been tremendous so please remember to keep an eye on the website and RacehorseClub social media pages for all updates and information on future club events and competitions.

Prize winners

Many congratulations to Gabrielle Potter who was the winner of April’s competition for a free RacehorseClub share in a horse of her choice, two RacehorseClub caps and a RacehorseClub jacket.

We've started as we mean to go on

RacehorseClub has an exciting month ahead, headlined by The Lir Jet running in France. All members in The Lir Jet will be invited to join a Zoom call with his trainer Michael Bell leading up to the race. Stable visits are in the pipeline with a trip to Michael Bell’s after Royal Ascot and a trip to Johnny Murtagh’s later in the summer. Stable visits to see Balko Des Flos and Potters Corner will be scheduled once they are back in training.

Bringing people closer to the action is one of our major ambitions. ITV Racing’s Ed Chamberlin, official ambassador to RacehorseClub, is looking forward to hosting in-person events once restrictions allow and to welcoming you all to the club.

We can’t wait for what’s to come as the season continues with gusto and our stable expands.

Be part of the action.

RacehorseClub