Whether you have previously been involved in racehorse ownership or not, you will soon gather that Victor Dartnall is recognised as having a proven record based on a proven method. This method is not new but it is increasingly hard to put into practice in this modern impatient world. Victor is a renowned judge of a horse and chooses horses, mostly from Ireland, that are well bred, even if that breeding is hidden as far back as the grandam. Many of the horses that come from Ireland are young and are therefore far less expensive than they would be when two years older and nearer a racing age.

Victor’s patient training regime that allows young horses to be broken, turned away to grow, brought back into training to begin educational road work, then turned away again to allow them to naturally develop and then brought back in again to start cantering and galloping. This enables the horses to grow whilst still educating them whilst they are young enough to be compliant.

The Dartnall stable has an enviable reputation for producing notable runners in National Hunt Flat races ('bumpers'). Strike rates in these and, indeed all races, are on a par with the top trainers and are the main reason why new owners have joined the stable in recent years.

Victor has also got a proven record of spotting well bred horses who have not fulfilled their full potential for whatever reason. Horses such as Norton Sapphire (5 wins, for Victor), Borehill Joker (4 wins/3 places from 10 runs for Victor) and Polished are all examples of this.

As an owner, you will be able to visit the stables and see your horse by appointment, watch your horse work on the gallops and if he is a youngster, see him being broken in, ridden on, turned away to grass or stabled, regularly exercised and slowly introduced to the gallops.

Options open to prospective owners.

1. You can either purchase a horse outright, as is most common, or go into partnership with up to three friends. In this case you will be in direct contact with Victor regarding plans etc and you or you and your partners will be responsible for prompt payment of Victor's monthly itemised training invoices (training, travelling, blacksmith, vet etc).

Currently Victor charges £210 per week plus VAT, with normal extras such as vet, farrier and travelling etc. An example of a typical monthy invoice can be produced on request.

2. Alternatively you can have a 1/12th share(s) up to 50% in a syndicated horse. In this case you can visit and share the fun of involvement in your horse in exactly the same way as an individual or partnership owner. And, to keep up to ten of you shareholder/owners well informed of progress and plans for your horse, each syndicate chooses a co-ordinator to pass on news of progress and plans from Victor to the other members of the syndicate. Each member of the syndicate can expect to be contacted by the co-ordinator in the run up to each race and is invited to feel free to enquire of him at any time.
A 1/12 shareholder/owner joins by paying 1/12 of the purchase price and an 'all inclusive' training fee( including blacksmith, transport and vet ** of £130 + VAT per month for 4 yr olds and upwards by bankers order.

(** On the very rare occasion that vets' bills exceed £250 in any one month, shareholders would be asked to contribute.)

Shareholders benefit from joint responsibility for an account at Weatherbys, the racing administrators, where jockey and entry fees are paid and prize money received. Shareholders are offered first refusal on sales of shares within the partnership.