Breeding & Racing Magazine

Kavanagh Launches Racing Club For New Owners

Victorian trainer Mark Kavanagh announced the launch of the Mark Kavanagh Racing Club & declared: "I strongly believe we have to introduce ownership to a new audience. While syndication is great, there is a lot of paperwork, the lowest entry point for a new owner is thousands of dollars & then they have to wait over 12 months to see their horse racing." The MKRC includes Gr1-winners Maldivian, Divine Madonna & Devil Moon as well as stakes-performers Believe'N'Succeed & Tipungwuti among its 10 horses. For $99 annual membership, MKRC members receive regular email reports on Club horses, as well as being able to participate in stable visits, attend track-work & race days & enjoy social activities. Kavanagh summed up: "During the year our members will gain a solid education in what it means to be an owner without the expense. I'm hopeful many of our members will become owners in a real sense once they have an understanding of what its all about." And Kavanagh added the MKRC "is potentially the model to encourage greater racetrack attendance. Having a horse racing is the only way I can think of to encourage people to consistently go to the track. I've had some big ownership groups in some of my horses & believe me, they can light up the mounting yard when their horse wins. There's not a lot of atmosphere at many race meetings today; so if we can attract a crowd, it can only be good for racing."