John Groucott keen for increase in syndicates

As the world of racing ownership is changing, there are more and more syndicates popping up.

“If there is a group of friends or family that live nearby who think it would be fun to have a racehorse, we would welcome them with open arms,” he said. “We believe that syndicates are the way forward and we want to make it as easy as possible for local people to get involved with our sport”.

Based in Bourton, Much Wenlock, Groucott, pictured below, can access many of our local tracks and some of the other bigger tracks such as Haydock and Cheltenham with relative ease. After the success he enjoyed with stable star, Midnight Target, last year, John and his team are looking to build on the foundations in place and move forward as a yard.

As I met John – and top jockey Lee Edwards – the team were busy at work. Lee is a vital part of the team and as he showed me around the yard I could see why he is John’s right-hand man. A wealth of knowledge about the horses combined with serious ability in the saddle make him an extremely useful tool, not only in John’s yard but also in yards such as Alastair Ralph, Ian Williams, Tony Carroll and Henry Oliver. There is room to house around 25 horses at and we ran through 12 of his more promising horses.

Midnight Target

We are still very excited about her and believe she is still on a good mark. She has summered very well and come back in looking very well. She is certainly one to look forward to.

El Scorpio

Had a few runs last year but is still a big baby. I thought he shaped with potential last year and is on a handy mark. He could pick up a few handicap hurdles before going chasing.

Heavenly Promise

We have given her plenty of time and her last performance at Bangor was her best. She is still on a good mark and and is slowly building some confidence, which is key.

Star Of Rory

A lovely horse and his owner Derek Passant has very few jumpers but this is one of two he has with us. He is a nice horse and probably will appreciate a bit of cut in the ground. His last piece of work was very encouraging and I think he will be suited by our local, tight tracks.

Quasi

Another of Passant’s and this one has a good pedigree. A lovely big horse who was at Tim Vaughan’s. He is getting stronger every day and is a huge unit but he is getting there and will be a good racehorse when he is eight or nine. If we can turn him around it will be a big result.

The Toojumpa

A lovely homebred mare by Midnight Legend. She has a little bit of a knee action and has worked well with Midnight Target. She is still a work in progress.

Nellemani

Very weak last year as she was a late starter. She has a great bunch of owners and it will be good she can improve on last year.

Truckers Highway

Being aimed towards Worcester where he won last year. He is a funny one who perhaps thinks too much about the job. Sometimes he sticks his neck out for you and then sometimes he sulks. When he is on song he is a tidy horse.

Best Director

Has been off point-to-pointing but ran OK last time. If he reproduces his very best form he could pick something up but he is getting on a bit now.

Midnight Jade

She has a lovely foal, but I wouldn’t rule out her coming back sometime this year. I might run her in a couple of point to points and see how she gets on.

Muse Of Fire

A very exciting purchase who has recently been bought by Clive Tipton. He is a lovely horse by Getaway who won his sole point to point at Larkhill nicely. He will be out in November/December and will improve with racing. He has good gears and is certainly one to look forward to.

Overawed

Inherited from Tom George and she is working very well at the moment. Delighted to have her on board along with her owners. Seems to have settled in well and we think her hurdles and chase mark are very fair. A good tough, solid mare.

Jessie Lightfoot

A nice filly by Yeats who is still a baby. She will come into her own in the spring.