Go Racing’s global expansion reaches France
New Zealand-based thoroughbred syndicators Go Racing have launched into French racing, purchasing a filly to be trained by France’s leading conditioner Francis-Henri Graffard in Chantilly.
The filly, by emerging sire Kodi Bear out of the Lope De Vega mare Chamundi Hills, was secured in partnership with Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman at the Arqana V.2 Yearling Sale last month.
“We’ve just bought our first filly to race in France and we’re now working through the set-up process,” Go Racing Director Albert Bosma said.
“Within 24 hours of buying her, her half-sister Charlotte’s Web won a stakes race at the Ebor Festival at York, so it was a good bit of buying and she received an immediate pedigree update.”
Having successfully raced horses in New Zealand and Australia since 2003, Go Racing expanded their presence into Europe in 2022, and they currently have ten horses in training with Joseph O’Brien in Ireland and one with Brian Meehan in England.
Now, Bosma said he is excited to offer Go Racing owners the opportunity to race horses in France.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for our owners to go to France and watch their horses race at iconic racecourses like Longchamp and Chantilly,” he said.
“France also has the best prize money in Europe. The seasonal pool is €284 million (NZ$560 million), compared with New Zealand’s $90 million.
“Also, if you race a horse that is eligible for French Owners’ premiums it adds 75% to your prize money (for two and three-year-olds).
“For example, a standard two-year-old race is worth €27,000, first prize is €15,000, so you get 75% on top of that,bringing the total to €25,750 (NZ$51,164), and the extra 75% applies to all prize money placings as well, so it’s a very lucrative place to race.”
As per Go Racing’s well-established dual-hemisphere model, their French horses will race in Europe for their two and three-year-old seasons before transferring to the stable of Champion Australian trainer Chris Waller to continue their racing Down Under as older horses.
“It gives our syndicate members the best of both worlds,” said Bosma. “This new step into France is exciting, it adds to what we’re already doing in Europe with Joseph and Brian, our owners have been able to experience meetings like Royal Ascot as owners, and this gives them another opportunity to travel the world with their horses and have a hell of a lot of fun along the way.
“We’re continuing to break into new markets and while this is our first horse in France, we’re looking to get another before the year is out.”
Photo: Go Racing’s latest purchase, a filly by Kodi Bear out of Chamundi Hills