In a thrilling display of jumping and stamina, the syndicate-owned chaser Wendigo secured a landmark Grade 2 victory at Newbury, delivering a day thousands of microshare owners will never forget. The six-year-old, trained by Jamie Snowden, powered home to win the prestigious John Francome Novices’ Chase on Friday, 28th November.
A Pivotal Victory for the Syndicate
The race, which featured a talented field of six, saw Wendigo start as the 5/2 second favourite behind the Paul Nicholls-trained Regent’s Stroll, owned by Sir Alex Ferguson. Having narrowly missed out on his chasing debut at Worcester, Wendigo showed marked improvement to claim the biggest success of his career so far. The Racing Club hailed the win as one of the finest days in its history.
Jockey Gavin Sheehan was full of praise for the horse's attitude. "He was brilliant, he really attacked his fences and never backed off," Sheehan said. "I loved the way he travelled... and we had the fight in us late on." The victory was sealed with a powerful late run, outstaying the leader from the final fence.
An Unforgettable Owner Experience
The occasion was magnified by the significant involvement of Wendigo's owners. Approximately 500 Racing Club members attended the Newbury meeting, enjoying exclusive access typically reserved for traditional owners. They received a pre-race briefing from trainer Jamie Snowden at his Folly House Stables in Lambourn, visited the parade ring for final instructions from Sheehan, and joined the official trophy presentation after the win.
Tom Aldridge, Head of Racing at Racing Club, emphasised the opportunity this presents. "Shares in Wendigo offer a rare chance to be part of a high-class racehorse at a pivotal moment," he said. "And at just £99, it opens the door for racing fans to experience real ownership without the usual barriers."
Future Targets and Ownership Opportunities
With the horse reported sound and well the morning after his exertions, connections are already looking ahead. Potential next targets include the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, televised on ITV1 and Racing TV. The long-term aim is the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, a venue he knows well.
The syndicate model continues to lower the barrier to entry for the sport. The current 25/26 syndicate for Wendigo offers full benefits, including race updates and a share of prize money. More broadly, Racing Club provides the chance to buy or gift a share in a racehorse from just £15, with special festive packages available that combine horses and merchandise.
This landmark win not only highlights the exciting potential of Wendigo but also showcases the growing appeal and accessibility of microshare racehorse ownership in the UK.
