Frequently Asked Questions

Who selects the horses at the yearling sales? Gai selects the yearlings for Star Thoroughbreds in conjunction with a team of experts, including independent Australian bloodstock agent, James Harron, experienced Randwick Equine Centre veterinarian, Dr Greg Nash and Gai's stable racing manager, Bruce Slade, formerly with New Zealand Bloodstock. We are looking to buy the yearlings which Gai is specifically keen to train. Who will train the horse? Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse, trains all of our horses at her world famous Randwick stables in Sydney, Australia. Who manages the partnership? As there is no real function for a partnership manager, we do not nominate one of the owners for this function. Gai trains and manages the horse and each owner communicates directly with the stable, so there is no responsibility for any one owner to forward information from the stable to other owners in the partnership. All accounts are sent to each owner individually and prize money is paid (per percentage) to each registered share partner in the ownership of the horse, by Racing NSW. What are the ongoing costs after my purchase of a share? When the horse is in training at Randwick, the cost for per day (for 100% of the horse) is currently $127 (plus GST). When the horse is spelling, the various properties used to spell our horses range in price per day (for 100% of the horse) from $22 (plus GST) to $28 (plus GST). Gai's estimated training and on-going costs per annum for 2 year olds and 3 year olds are available on request. Will I have access to the horse? Gai's Randwick stables are open every Sunday morning of the year (excluding Christmas Day) for owners to visit from 11:00 am until 12:00 noon. Owners may visit the stable as often as they wish at this time each week to inspect their horse. No appointment or prior notice is required by the stable for owners visiting on a Sunday morning. However any request to view the horse outside of the regular Sunday morning stable opening time, may be made with Gai's administration staff during office hours. How am I updated on the horse's progress? When the horse is in training, Gai's stable staff send a weekly written report about the horse's progress. When the horse barrier trials and races, owners receive details of the official barrier trial or race results. Gai forwards her written report on the trial or race, including the jockey's comments, together with details of the possible programme for the horse from that time onwards. How is the prize money distributed? Racing NSW distributes prize money to all individual owners some time after the race, in accordance with the percentage of the horse owned by the particular owner. This prize money is normally direct deposited into the owner's nominated bank account, by Racing NSW. What vet fees will l incur? Owners are not charged for consultation by veterinarians who visit Gai's stables from Randwick Equine Centre, twice a day. Owners are only charged (per their percentage ownership of the horse) for the administration of any medication or treatments as prescribed by the consulting veterinarian. Do l have my name in the race book as a registered owner? Every registered share partner (maximum 20 names) may be listed in the share ownership of the horse. Multiple ownership of a share (or shares) requires the registration of a syndicate. This registration is arranged in conjunction with Racing NSW. Where will the horse spell when it is not in training? Gai uses a variety of spelling properties throughout NSW for the purpose of spelling her horses. Most are within an hour and a half of the Sydney metropolitan area. Owners are always advised where their horse will spell when it leaves the stables at the end of a preparation. Owners may visit the various properties to inspect their horse, by appointment with the property manager.