27 women, one racehorse, and one big party
Half of the Girls On Tour syndicate had never been to the races before. Now they're celebrating a $200,000 feature race victory with a horse that's won six of his eight starts.
And according to syndicate organiser Angela Boyd, they're having a blast.
"We have just been so lucky."
The first horse she's ever been involved in syndicating just happens to be star two-year-old Tour Party, affectionately known as "Kenny".
The 27 women collectively own a 10 per cent share in Tour Party, sharing the costs and the excitement of racing him alongside a larger ownership group.
On Friday night at Addington, Tour Party made it six wins from eight starts for trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety, with his biggest win yet in the $200,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Final for the Colts and Geldings.
"There were a lot of celebrations," says Angela.
The scenes of jubilation following the race were certainly one of the night's high points.
"It was a great night, we went until about 1.30!"
The syndicate brings together women aged from 18 into their 70s.
“Some didn't know each other beforehand but they certainly do now.”
"About 50 per cent of them had no idea about horses and had not ever been to the races before."
"Then came his first win, the second and on it went - it's been very cool."
"The Girls think this racing game is easy - I have told them it's not!"
So far, Tour Party has earned just over $200,000 in stakes since winning on debut in February this year.
Friday's victory added another $100,000 in stakes, plus a $50,000 bonus for being the first Next Gen horse home.
For Angela, it's been quite the ride. There have been a couple of times when things haven't gone to plan, including Tour Party's fifth placing two starts back.
"We just had to explain to some of them that that is racing," says Angela, "and certainly Friday's win had a bit of relief as well as celebration."
How it all started
Angela and her trainer husband Stephen are good friends with the Dalgetys, and she first became involved in Tour Party's ownership following an open day at their Kentuckiana Lodge stables.
The Dalgetys had purchased Tour Party for $150,000 at the yearling sales.
Angela secured a 10 per cent share and then went onto social media to see whether anyone else might be interested in getting involved.
"I thought if I got 10 people I'd be rapt."
She ended up with 27, coming from as far afield as Australia, Southland and Wellington.
"Some of the newbies had no idea!"
For Angela, organising the syndicate had "its challenges" initially, but things are now much more manageable.
Each member contributes $20 a week towards the horse's ongoing costs. With Tour Party's success on the track, the syndicate is in good shape financially, and members are due to receive a payout in the next few weeks.
In fact, things are going so well that Angela and "the Girls" have already bought into another horse, an Orlando Vici trotter named The Candy Man after the late Greg Sugars.
He was purchased by the Dalgetys for $50,000 at this year's National Yearling Sales at Karaka.
Angela hopes the group will continue to get involved in a new horse every year.
"We thought getting a trotter would be fun and it also means in the future if Tour Party is not racing at a particular time then another of the syndicate's horses could well be."
As for Tour Party, the fun is far from over.
He's heading to Ashburton for a Sires' Stakes heat on Labour Day, October 26, ahead of the $200,000 final on New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington on November 10.
It's shaping up to be a huge finish to an already memorable year for the Girls On Tour.
And judging by Friday night's celebrations, they're making the most of every moment.