BRILLIANT BELLE - 08-13-17 - R09 - CBY - Winner's Circle

Learn about ownership through Canterbury Racing Club

By Katie Merritt

The Canterbury Racing Club was the first of its kind, imagined by Canterbury’s Media Relations Manager Jeff Maday. The idea behind the Club is to expose casual racing fans to racehorse ownership in such a way that is both easy and educational.

It was 2009 when the club was first put into action and the it won with the first horse they ran, Tahitian Queen.

Every year, the Canterbury Racing Club starts anew. Each member of the club puts up $250 at the beginning of the year, and that money goes toward claiming and caring for a racehorse (or two). At the end of the season, the Club either gets their horse claimed, or sells it privately, and whatever money has been leftover, or won by the horse, is divided up amongst the partners. This year there are around 150 participants in the Racing Club.

The Club has had one or two horses every summer at Canterbury Park since the idea’s inception in 2009, and the horses have been extremely successful. They have had a winner every year except for 2010, their best year being in 2014 when they won six races. From a total of 74 starters over the nine year span, the Club has had 24 wins – over 32%, which is almost unheard of.

This year, the Canterbury Racing Club has had one horse, Brilliant Belle, in training with Nevada Litfin. Brilliant Belle has already won two races for the Club, giving all the partners two thrilling experiences of watching her charge down the stretch in front, and getting their photos taken in the winner’s circle.

Since the Canterbury Racing Club renews every year, next year will be a brand new chance for newcomers to get involved and join. Go to Canterburyracingclub.com to see how you can be part of the action in 2018!