RACING AHEAD with Tony McCormick

Racing pundit Tony McCormick from www.irishbigracetrends.com presents his weekly column. This week Tony has an exclusive interview with syndicate manager Dan Abraham.
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Racing Ahead

Dan Abraham ran a successful business in football, before turning his hand to horse racing syndicates.

His company Foxtrot Racing in 2014 had 19 runners, producing five winners and eight picking up prize money.

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So far this year, Foxtrot has sent out 33 runners, with four successes and a further 21 in the money.

I caught up with Dan recently to ask him all about the brilliant Foxtrot Racing.

How did you come to run the syndicate?

I was originally a member of a Foxtrot Syndicate. At the time Foxtrot was run by Tom Gittins and due to a family illness he had to go and work for his family business at short notice.

He asked if I’d take over Foxtrot Racing in summer 2009.

How is Foxtrot monitored and do you think syndicates are monitored enough?

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There could be a licensing system for commercial syndicates or a kite mark system to represent minimum standards.

A group of syndicators, including myself, have set-up RSACA (Racing Syndicates and Clubs Association) and developed their own set of rules with the aim of ensuring members use good practice in syndicate management.

There is more information at www.rsaca.com

Tell me about your role at Foxtrot Racing

My role is to make each member feel like they are a sole owner.

I’m involved in the whole process from selecting the horse to organising racecourse badges and ensuring all members are up to date with the latest news on their horse. 

Who will be training for Foxtrot Racing in 2016?

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Our strategy, which has been very successful, is to find talented up-and-coming trainers who are hungry to prove themselves.

We want our horses to have the best chance of success and for our owners to be well looked after whenever they are at the stables or at the racecourse.

Our trainers for 2016 are Dan Skelton, Charlie Longsdon, Dr Richard Newland, Jamie Snowden and Richard Hughes.

How many syndicates have you going at the moment, Dan?

Foxtrot currently has nine syndicates, which ensures plenty of racing but importantly that I have time to ensure that each syndicate member receives an outstanding experience.

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If there are six lads down the pub, who wish to get in to racehorse ownership, but don’t have a big budget, what would you advise?

Get some good advice, know your maximum outlay and ensure you understand the costs.

The cost of owning racehorses can quickly spiral which is why syndicates like Foxtrot Racing, which guarantee your maximum outlay, are such a good way to get involved in racehorse ownership.

You have already convinced me, to get involved with the cracking soon-to-be five-year-old, Dynamo. What convinced you to switch him from Dan Skelton to the flat with Richard Hughes?

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Dan Skelton trained Dynamo, who is by Galileo, last summer and he recommended that we run him on the flat as he was showing plenty of speed at home.

He’ll stay with Richard until May and then return to Dan to go summer jumping. The plan with him is to win a flat, hurdle and steeplechase during 2016. That would be a very exciting year for his owners.

Finally, give us a horse to back around Christmas?

Foxtrot’s Tippmanboy is a horse to follow over the Festive period.

For more details go to foxtrotracing.com

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