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The Risk Factors of Racing
Partnerships
Like any business, there
are a number of risks involved in participating in a
Thoroughbred racing partnership. The investor should
consider various aspects related to the risk
factors of owning and racing Thoroughbred Horses.
The Thoroughbred Industry
– The business
of breeding, training and racing Thoroughbreds is a
high-risk venture. The success of the race horse
partnership depends upon the present and future values
of Thoroughbreds as a whole – and in particular, of each
partnership's Thoroughbreds. Although a Thoroughbred's
future value cannot be predicted, the Thoroughbred
market is affected by the current economy, as well the
interest levels of Thoroughbred race horse investors.
Additionally, the expenses of maintaining, caring for,
training and racing Thoroughbreds can be expected to
increase annually, regardless of what happens to the
future market prices of Thoroughbreds.
Investment
Volatility
– The value of a racehorse can fluctuate dramatically
throughout the year based on the racehorse's success and
physical condition. An injury or a series of poor
efforts can reduce the value of any horse sharply.
Conversely, good or excellent racing performance can
enhance the value of a race horse dramatically.
Competition
– The Thoroughbred racing industry is an intensely
competitive and highly speculative one. A significant
number of the people who bid for and purchase racehorses
have substantially greater financial resources than
those of the average Thoroughbred owner. Additionally,
many business ventures in the Thoroughbred industry do
not generate net profits. And because the Thoroughbred
horse bloodstock markets are international, smaller
owners can be competing against many of the major
breeders and dealers in the world for high-quality
Thoroughbreds. On the track, the same circumstances
exist. At every level, competition for purse money is
fierce, and many highly motivated owners operate on an
international scale, with far greater resources to bring
to bear than Star Track.
Operating Risks
– As a Thoroughbred owner, there is no guarantee that
you will receive an insured racehorse's full purchase
price if there is an accident. This is because most
insurance policies pay the lower of the policy amount or
the current value when the insured casualty occurs.
Racing Customs
– Because
Thoroughbred horse racing is a sport as well as a
business, there are certain industry practices and
structures that are not focused on maximizing an owner's
profit in the horse. For example, a particular
Thoroughbred racehorse bloodline could command
substantial prices as a result of the interests of a
small group of people. If these individuals eventually
lose interest in the bloodline, the value of the race
horse's bloodline could be affected.
Uncertainty of the
Thoroughbred Market
– Owners can use sales of Thoroughbred racehorses at
public auction as a measurement of the relative
increases or decreases in the value of racehorses,
however there is also a dominant private market that
does not provide sales statistics.
The value
of Thoroughbreds racing will vary at racing venues due
to several factors, including purse structure
fluctuations due to ownership changes; policy
modifications; changes in handle from variations in
field size and betting interest; and competition or
cooperation with other gambling modes.
If the
Thoroughbred racing industry suffers a decline, or if
general economic conditions deteriorate, the average
sales price in the Thoroughbred horse market may also
decline. As a result, a Thoroughbred owner could suffer
substantial losses.
Additionally, many of the factors that affect the prices
paid for Thoroughbred horses are beyond the owner's
control. These factors include purchasers who buy race
horses for speculative purposes; foreign investors; the
federal income tax treatment of racing and related
activities; the rules of The Jockey Club prohibiting
artificial insemination; the continuation or expansion
of legalized gambling; and the size of Thoroughbred
horse racing purses. se of
racehorses, however there is also a dominant
private market that does not prov |