FAQs
What’s the difference between a racing club and a syndicate?
Royal Racing Club Membership allows you to experience the thrill of enjoying your horse running without being responsible for all the costs of purchasing sales commissions, etc.
Our club holds lease shares in several horses (Between 30 and 50% shares) so it maximises the number of horses that can run in the Club’s colours whilst maintaining the close knit nature of the club with a relatively small number of members and minimal annual subscription costs.
In a syndicate you must purchase equity in a horse and are a co-owner with responsibility for all costs incurred
How much is membership?
Membership is €60 per month = €720 per year OR Pay €600 in January and receive 2 months free to cover your membership until end of December2024.
Will there be additional costs on top of my membership fee?
No. The club is run by members to ensure that the income brought in by membership subscriptions are sufficient to match costs incurred by the club’s horses so that in all circumstances your membership fees will be all you have to pay.
Do I receive a share of Prize money?
Our accounts are settled at the end of each year – Any excess of income from subscriptions & prizemoney over costs will be available for distribution to members or will be used in providing increased member benefits for the club’s members as decided by the membership .
Can I bring family and friends along to organised events?
Yes – We encourage our members to bring along family and friends. Please advise us in advance and, if possible, we will assist in provision of tickets once fully paid up members looking to attend have been catered for .
Should I expect to make money as a member of the club?
The club is designed for entertainment purposes and, given the cost involved in training racehorses, it is unlikely that you will make any significant amount of money. Given a bit of luck, a realistic aim would be for the club to be able to recoup some of the membership fees and use in a way to benefit all members once all training and racing costs are covered
Is it possible to become an equity owner and hold shares in any of the club's or other horses?
The club is designed for entertainment purposes and equity shares are not part of the offering.
Some club members are involved in syndicates which are separate to the club.
Please email info@royalracingclub.ie if investing in bloodstock syndicates is of interest to you.
Will I get Tickets every time I wish to go racing?
The Club is only allocated a certain number of tickets for race days on which a Club horse is running. However, certain racecourses are very generous and sometimes provide us with extra free tickets.
This can be up to 20 tickets per horse at certain racecourses but it varies and whatever tickets are available will be offered to our paid up members on a fair and equitable basis.
Racecourses may also provide a reduced ticket price for Club members if enough free tickets are not available.
Royal Racing Club will try to secure as many tickets as it can for members, their family and friends.
How are Tickets Allocated?
Members will be notified immediately when a Club horse is entered in a race and will be invited to apply for tickets by email or telephone. If the horse is then declared to run, ticket applicants will be contacted. It is often possible to allocate a ticket to everyone who applies.
Do I have to join at the start of the season?
You can join at any time though our memberships generally run from Jan to Dec each year. For 2024 membership is generally €60/mth = €720 per year But a 20% discount to €600/ year is available for up front payment in full by 31/01/24.
Once payment has been received or a payment arrangement set up, you will receive a confirmation email within 48 hours and then will have full membership and access to everything the Club has to offer from the signup date.
I am buying Membership as a Christmas/birthday Gift. Is it possible to choose a Membership start date?
Yes! Purchase one of our gift vouchers and advise us of the date on which you would like the membership to start. We will activate it from that date rather than the date of payment.
Do I have to be based in Ireland to join the Club?
Definitely not! Our website allows you to view workouts, photos and all other updates wherever you are in the world. Club horses have the option to race all over Ireland, including throughout the winter on the All-Weather surface at Dundalk. We cannot guarantee that Club horses will race outside of Ireland but our trainers have raced horses in the UK in previous season’s so the possibility is there. Also, our yard visits are organised a month in advance, which allows you the opportunity to arrange flight/ferry travel.
What happens to the prize money?
The Club’s share of the prize money, after HRI deductions, is available for distribution or further use amongst the members at the end of the calendar year. There can never be any guarantee of a specific amount of prize money. This is dependent on how well the horses perform on the racecourse and the number of Members in the Club on the date of the race in which prize money was won. If a member joins on 1st October, for example, they will be allocated their share of any prize money won between 1st October and 1st December at the end of that year.
Should I expect a return on my membership fee?
This Club is primarily for entertainment purposes. It is not an investment opportunity.
As above, members will receive an allocation of excess of income over costs but excess is not known nor guaranteed.
What happens if I fall behind with my payment arrangement?
It is vital to the running of the Club that all payments due are made on time. Should you fall one month in arrears, immediate expulsion from the Club may apply and you will no longer have access to full membership privileges. You can only become a member again by the payment, in full, of all outstanding payments. When signing up for another year’s membership, members who have previously been in arrears must purchase a twelve month membership in full. The monthly payment options will not be available to them. If you feel that you may miss a payment, please contact us as soon as possible.
What happens if I want to leave the Club?
Letters of resignation should be addressed to the Club Secretary as the club must make quarterly membership notification to HRI. There will be no refunds on membership fees unless notification received within 14 days of the signup date.
How will I know what is happening in the Club?
Our members communication is done generally via e-mail and Royal Racing Club’s What App group. You can also receive information through social media such as facebook, instagram, twitter and our youtube page. We appreciate that some members may not have access to the Internet or email so alternative arrangements can be discussed on request.
Can I leave the club whenever I want?
Yes, you are free to leave at any time. Please notify us in writing stating the date you wish your membership to cease. You will still be eligible for any prize money earned during your period of membership.