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Jill's racing syndicates make dreams come true with Aintree winner and Cheltenham placing

By Kirsten Binnie


EDINBURGH-based rider and racing enthusiast Jill Vasey has been a fan of National Hunt racing since she was a child - and now she is fulfilling her racehorse ownership dreams by becoming involved in syndicates.

Her first foray into syndication was to buy shares in the bay mare Apple Away in training with leading Scottish trainer and twice winner of The Grand National, Lucinda Russell. Apple was being micro syndicated by the club Old Gold Racing and Jill became a part owner along with around 3,000 others.

"I never really thought about any form of ownership until a post on Lucinda's Russell's Facebook page appeared about a micro syndicated horse," said Jill.

"I thought 'oh, that could be fun' and it would be nice to have a couple of eyelashes in a horse running at Perth or Kelso. Shares were duly bought and I have never looked back. She's won a Grade 1 at Aintree, raced at the Cheltenham Festival and has generally been an absolute legend - and she may be making her debut on French soil in May!"

Jill now has syndicate shares in eight horses, all with Perthshire-based Lucinda and she has five micro shares in horses with Old Gold.



As a member, and committee member of Tay Valley Chasers Racing Club, she is involved with two horses through them. Bishop Hill (Polly) returns to work soon after some time off and will race during the autumn/winter season of 2026/2027 whilst another mare, Lets Mingle, will be the club's summer racing horse and aim for running at Perth Races.

Jill, 44, is also involved with King of Answers, a gelding she was originally micro syndicated to until Lucinda bought him and brought in a small group of owners, of which Jill is one.

"King has been amazing this season - two wins at Kelso in December and February and the most amazing second at the

Jill on the left.


Cheltenham Festival in March," said Jill.

"Having a runner at Cheltenham was so, so exciting and an absolute dream! When I was a child watching it on Channel 4 Racing I never thought I would have a runner. For King to be second was unbelievably exciting, I don't think I have come back down to earth!"




A member of Kelso Racecourse, Jill can be found at most of the Perth meetings too with a group of friends enjoying the sport and the hospitality.

"I'm generally to be found at all the Perth meetings and I also tend to find myself at the majority of jumps meets at Musselburgh. I do think Kelso is a particular jewel in the crown of Scottish racing. Their Morebattle Hurdle day is as good a day's racing as you will get anywhere in the country.

"Perth in the summer is one of my favourite places to be - it's lovely and relaxed and the sun seems to shine a lot there. After a winter of racing in the cold and wet, it's a welcome change."

Jill goes racing as often as time and

King of Answers. Image by Jill Vasey.


finances will allow, and aims to go to Cheltenham every second year, although this winter she has been to Aintree and Weatherby. She also enjoys regular stable visits to Lucinda's, along with other micro syndicate owners, and race days where a ballot is entered and drawn to attend the races with Old Gold and its trainers.


Tay Valley Chasers Racing Club horse Lets Mingle. Image by Jill Vasry.


"I think the micro syndicates provide people with an affordable way to feel involved with a horse or yard. I suspect they will become more commonplace as outright racehorse ownership simply isn't feasible for the vast majority.

"I have met so many people via racing and the social side is a huge part of it. Lucinda is very accommodating and generous with her time and is a superb ambassador for racing."


Contact Old Gold for more information on their horses at http//:www.oldgold.com

Tay Valley Chasers at http//:www.tayvalleychasers.com









 
 
 

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