Finding presents for the racing lover in your life is not a straightforward task. However, GG have some answers for anyone looking for last-minute present ideas with a racing theme.
Racing Club Shares
One of the newest syndicates taking over flat and jumps racing in the UK, the Racing Club have fostered an engaging shareholder opportunity like no other for racing fans. For as little as £25 per year, you can become a part of their rapidly expanding community by buying a share in one of six horses currently carrying their colours.
Among the horses carrying their blue and yellow silks in 2024 were Farceur Du Large, who completed an historic double in the Grand Military Gold Cup and Royal Artillery Gold Cup. The gallant grey is among the more expensive options at £1,000 a share, but for good reason given his track record, with the aim for the season being a repeat of those military race successes.
Also on the Racing Club roll-call is Dunstan, a flat horse who racked up a four-timer on the all-weather earlier this year. Rated 85 at his peak, he contested a Group 3 at Sandown and is due for an exciting period back on artificial surfaces over the winter: he is available at £75 a share.
The up-and-comer in their string is Wendigo. He won a novice hurdle at Ludlow recently in taking fashion and may have Graded races in his near future, and at £60 per share, is a great value option if you wanted to present a horse who may compete in the big weekend meetings. However, the aforementioned £25 share would earn you one in Blackwaterfoot, a three-year-old who ran very respectable on his racecourse debut in August and could easily be fun to watch in handicaps.
There are plenty more we could mention, and there are more to come too, with the syndicate introducing new horses for 2025, while you can also buy into the Racing Club’s VIP packages, which offer an above-and-beyond experience akin to owning your horse yourself. With Christmas fast-approaching, this is the best gift you can offer a racing fan which will allow them an involvement in the action itself.
GG readers can enjoy a fabulous pre-Christmas discount with the Racing Club too. Using the code RC-GG5, you can get 5% off whichever share takes your fancy*. In the case of Farceur Du Large, that could mean a whopping £50 off your first share, so get involved while you can.
* Using GG links could earn us a commission
Go Down to the Beaten – Chris Pitt
Horse racing is a sport with such a rich history that many books in the genre are a treat for a racing fan. However, none are as compelling as Chris Pitt’s Go Down to the Beaten, an enthralling, all-encompassing journey through the Grand National between 1946-2010.
Although it is now slightly out of date given the last 14 years of Grand Nationals are uncovered, Go Down to the Beaten still stands apart as a unique achievement by its author. Pitt interviewed at least one defeated jockey from every single post-war Grand National, not only to find out where they failed (sometimes spectacularly, sometimes oh-so-narrowly), but also to enrich their life stories among a crowded field of riders who have taken part in the most famous horse race of them all.
Some huge names appear throughout his chapters; the likes of John Francome and Peter Scudamore, for instance, neither of whom ever managed to win the race. Some disappeared into obscurity after only one appearance at Aintree’s colosseum. Either way, you will be whisked through time with Pitt’s prose, as if sailing over the fences themselves, and is available from all online book retailers.
Scratch-off Racing Map
In total, there are 85 racecourses in Britain and Ireland. For some racing fans, it is the ultimate dream to visit every single one of them.
With a scratch-off racing map, of which a number of versions exist to take your pick from, your horse racing-loving acquaintance can plan their journey to every track throughout the land, whether it is on these shores only, or incorporates those over the Irish Sea as well.
Free Time on Boxing Day!
Perhaps the best gift of all, however, is to simply let the racing fans in your lives have their time and space on Boxing Day. There are 76 races held up and down the country on December 26. Rejoice!