SYNDICATE - THE DETAILS

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​A syndicate allows a group of friends, family or colleagues to enjoy the thrill of racehorse ownership together. Syndicates can range in size from five members to 20 members. With such a number of people involved in one horse, it greatly reduces the cost per member of having a horse in training.

The owner may appear on the racecard in either the agent or syndicate name. Syndicate leases can only be registered for named horses. The syndicate name must be approved by HRI. Provisional name checks can be carried out by contacting the Registrations Department of HRI.
A syndicate can have multiple horses but the member must remain the same in all horses. A syndicate registration form must be completed and signed by all members for each horse owned by the syndicate. A limited number of changes to the membership of a syndicate will be accommodated at the discretion of HRI. All such amendments must be made in writing on the official form. Syndicate members should give valid contact details when completing the Syndicate Registration Form to avail of exclusive offers, discounts and invites throughout the year. HRI strongly recommends that a set of rules or syndicate agreement be drawn up to ensure the smooth running of your syndicate and minimise the risk of a dispute.
SYNDICATE - THE RULES
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The success or failure of a syndicate depends on how organised it is. Initial planning can determine the success of your syndicate in the future. HRI suggest that the following points be considered when forming a racing syndicate. The list is non-exhaustive and may be expanded or reduced as each syndicate requires. Here are some questions to consider.
registration of syndicate & membership
​The name will be that chosen by the members and accepted by the registrations section of the racing department. There is a limit of 30 characters in a syndicate name and numerals are unacceptable.
  1. What is the agreed membership number?
  2. Is membership fixed at a specific number of shares or can shares be further sub-divided.
  3. Is there a criteria for membership – such criteria should be specified.
  4. Can shares within the syndicate be transferred? – how can such a transfer be effected?​
REGISTERED AGENT
​HRI require that each syndicate have a registered agent.
This agent is responsible for associated paperwork and has exclusive access to syndicate account information.
  1. Who is suitable to act as agent?
  2. How is the agent elected/appointed? Can he/she be removed?
  3. Functions of the agent – this role must be defined – although they must deal exclusively with HRI, does this also apply to the trainer, banks etc….
  4. How are meetings convened? Does the agent convene a meeting and what notice period is required?
​Decision Making Procedures
​This is an area that is requires particular attention and should be very clearly defined in order to avoid disputes.Points to consider are as follows:
  1. Are all decisions by way of a majority vote? If not what form of voting is applicable.
  2. Does each shareholder have one vote?
  3. In certain cases
Finance
  1. Does the syndicate require a treasurer in addition to the agent?
  2. How much does each member pay? It is recommended that a bulk payment be made upfront if possible.
  3. Mode of payment – weekly, monthly, in advance, arrears?
  4. Signatories of the bank and HRI accounts.
​Publishing of the account – a monthly statement will be issued from the accounts department of HRI.
  1. Are all members entitled to view accounts?
  2. Provision for once off payments.
Non Payment Of Accounts
​This is an area which should be considered carefully by all members when forming a Syndicate Agreement and again very specific provisions should be made in dealing with members who either fail to pay membership fees or are deemed to be in arrears.
Suggested provisions in this regard may include the following:
  1. Specific date for payment of member’s fees.
  2. In cases of late or non - payment, notice to be given by Agent/Treasurer.
  3. Such notice to be written or telecommunicated?
  4. Agent/Treasurer to have discretion with regard to second warning?
  5. Expulsion of non-paying members?
  6. Should the expulsion ​
Transfer Of Interest
  1. How can members transfer or sell shares?
  2. Are such shares then sub-divided or are they offered externally?
  3. Are members excluded from offering shares to third parties.
  4. Do all benefits/liabilities transfer with each share sold?
  5. Does a new member have to be elected in by existing members?
Resignation Of Member & REMOVAL OF A MEMBER
​There should be a departure clause for each member who may wish to retire from the syndicate.
  1. Notice to be given by retiring member to the agent?
  2. Such a notice in writing/telecommunication?
  3. All accounts of retiring member to be cleared in advance of acceptance of Notice Of Resignation. Does retiring member forfeit any outlays thus far or should they receive their initial investment.
REMOVAL FROM SYNDICATE
  1. Grounds for removal
  2. Notice to offending member
  3. Removal by majority vote/two thirds vote
Deadlock
​Obviously each syndicate agreement should contain a Deadlock clause such as that in the Associated Specimen Agreement – consider carefully whether the designated representative should have a casting vote.
Dissolution of Syndicate & SALE OF RACEHORSE
Grounds for Dissolution of Syndicate:
  1. End of Lease Agreement/End of horses racing career.
  2. Syndicate to exist for a fixed period only
  3. Discharge of all accounts and dissolution of syndicate.
  4. Liability of each member and dissolution of Syndicate.
  5. Provision of accounts as at date of dissolution of syndicate

SALE OF RACEHORSE
  1. Circumstances in which horse may be sold.
  2. By public Auction/Private Treaty
  3. Minimum Reserve
  4. Entitlement Of Members to purchase
How to set up your syndicate:
All interested members should meet to decide on the following:
  1. Who is going to act as the agent for the syndicate?
  2. What is the syndicate name?
  3. Who is going to train the horse?
  4. What are the syndicate bank details and how much will the standing order be each month?
  5. What racing colours would you like to apply for?
  6. What are the syndicate rules and who should draw up the written agreement?
SYNDICATE - REGISTRATION

To register a racing syndicate the agent must complete the Owner Registration Form and the Syndicate Registration Form must be signed by all members and returned to HRI with a minimum opening balance of €1,000 per horse.