When most people think about owning a racehorse, they imagine big price tags but for a group of mates from Adelaide, the dream became reality with horse bought for only $1,000.
Extra Hot, trained by Peter and Belinda Blanch has given six long-time friends from school and the Morphettville Parks Footy Club a ride of a lifetime. The group had been regulars at the Kangaroo Island Racing Carnival, where they would always follow the Blanch stable closely. After watching one of the stable’s earlier horses, Rich Gina, win in spectacular fashion on the island, the group decided to get involved in ownership. They chipped in for two horses; Extra Hot and Mist The Dedline and haven’t looked back since.
The boys bought a 5% share in both horses, covering everything from the initial purchase to breaking in and early training. Since then, Extra Hot has racked up nearly $100,000 in prize money from just 13 starts. Ongoing costs are also surprisingly manageable, with their share only costing them around $200 per month when in work and just $50 when spelling.
The thrill of racing success hit new levels recently when Extra Hot broke through for a city win. Having already placed a couple of times in town, the group had been hopeful she’d eventually break through, and she delivered in style! “We were all on course for her maiden win on KI, and to now see her win in the city is just unreal. She kicked back when they came at her, showed a heap of fight. It was a huge buzz!” syndicate member Nathan Higgins said. “I definitely carried on a bit in the mounting yard, but it was worth it. Everyone was watching from everywhere. Some were playing footy and ran off the ground to watch, one was in Bali streaming it on Racing.com. It was just one of those magic moments.”
What’s made the experience even better is the bond the group has formed not just with the horse, but with each other. From regular updates on Extra Hot’s antics in trackwork to celebrating with pizza and beers at the Blanch stables after each win, it’s been a journey they’ve shared together. “She’s taken us all over SA, and she always has a crack. She’s got a big personality and it’s been awesome just doing it all together.”
The ownership experience even inspired them to start their own podcast, Bet in the Shed . Originally a bit of fun recorded on a phone during their KI trip, the show has grown into a well-followed weekly chat featuring major names from the industry. “We’d sit around the shed on a Thursday, talk racing, and one day we decided to hit record. Now we’ve got proper mics, gear, and have interviewed everyone from John Kelton and Jake Toeroek to Clayton Douglas and Lyle Hewitson. It’s become a great way to connect with other racing fans and even get a few more involved in ownership. We’ve started a syndicate through the podcast and are now racing horses like Dapper Don and Cool the Jets with top stables.”
The story of Extra Hot shows that racehorse ownership doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be affordable, fun, and incredibly rewarding; especially when shared with your mates. Whether it’s celebrating in the winner’s bar or sharing a laugh over voice memos from your trainer, it’s the kind of experience that sticks with you.