Inspiring, exciting and exhilarating, yet not without its challenges, owning a racehorse is quite possibly one of the most rewarding experiences one could ever hope to enjoy.

It’s important to remember that horses are not machines and there is no guarantee that they will perform on the day, and although the rewards can be substantial, it’s worthwhile doing your homework before you commit to such an investment.

If you’re new to the industry, it might be a good idea to select your trainer before your thoroughbred. Usually with years of experience to their name, trainers can offer invaluable advice in the selection and purchasing process.

Once you’ve made your choice, together you can look for your horse and an ownership option that best suits your needs: owning or leasing. Owning entails purchasing a horse, while leasing only gives you certain rights to the horse for a pre-determined period of time.

If you are looking for a quick return from a horse already in training, then leasing might be for you, however, if you would like to be involved in the horse’s training from the very beginning and are prepared to wait to see the fruits of your efforts, then owning might be a better option.