Get In touch
- +44 7946129086
- [email protected]
Visit us
- 1st Seven Barrows Cottages, Lambourn , Hungerford Berkshire, RG178UH
Queens of the Course
Mares Offer An Exciting Opportunity To Get Involved In National Hunt Racing
If you’re thinking about getting involved in a horse racing syndicate, don’t overlook the opportunity mares can provide! Here at Canter Banter Racing, we’ve had great success with mares, and we’re big supporters of the mares programme in Britain. It offers lucrative opportunities for owners, which is why investing in a mare is definitely something worth thinking about if you want to get involved in National Hunt Racing.
What Is the Mares' Racing Programme?
The BHA’s Initiatives to Promote Mares
In 2003, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) took a bold step forward to support and promote mares in National Hunt racing. Historically, mares were overshadowed by geldings and colts, with limited opportunities to shine on the racecourse. The BHA aimed to change that, implementing a dedicated mares’ programme designed to provide mares with their own races, prize money opportunities, and ultimately, a successful path to become broodmares.
Exclusive Races for Mares
A growing number of races are now dedicated solely to mares, providing them with fair competition and opportunities to excel.
Bonuses and Financial Incentives
Attractive bonuses reward owners and breeders who invest in mares, making it financially appealing to support female talent.
7lb Allowance Against Geldings
When mares compete against geldings, they receive a 7lb weight allowance, levelling the playing field and enhancing their competitiveness.
Aims of the Programme
The BHA’s programme is driven by clear objectives:
- Increase the population of jump mares in training in Britain.
- Provide more race opportunities so mares can showcase their talent, helping them develop before transitioning into broodmares.
- Incentivise breeders, owners, and trainers to focus on mares, encouraging more to enter racing.
But how do these initiatives translate into tangible benefits for owners and syndicates? Let’s explore the schemes that are making a real difference.
Exciting Schemes and Bonuses Promoting Mares in National Hunt Racing
There are a number of exciting schemes and bonuses for mares.
Elite NH Mares’ Scheme
One of the standout incentives is the Elite NH Mares’ Scheme, which helps mare owners by offering subsidised, and sometimes free, nominations to British-based stallions for mares that have performed well on the track or in breeding.
The Elite NH Mares’ Scheme was designed to:
- Promote the use of top-quality British stallions.
- Reward owners of mares with strong racecourse or breeding records.
- Encourage breeders to aim for high-calibre progeny, keeping the British breeding industry competitive.
Great British Bonus (GBB) Scheme
Another remarkable initiative is the Great British Bonus (GBB) Scheme. The GBB is an industry-leading prize scheme offering significant financial bonuses to owners, breeders, and connections of British-bred fillies and mares.
How Does It Work?
- Substantial bonuses – Winners of eligible races can earn bonuses of up to £20,000 per race.
- Multiple opportunities – A mare can win multiple bonuses throughout her racing career.
Schemes like this are transforming the landscape, making owning or leasing a mare more attractive than ever before.
National Hunt Races Specifically for Mares
One of the most exciting parts of the mares’ programme is the abundance of races dedicated solely to them. These races give mares more opportunities to win black type (important for breeding value) and gather prize money without the intense pressure of competing against geldings. And while the famous mares’ races at Cheltenham and Aintree often steal the spotlight, there are plenty of other lucrative events throughout the season that keep mares earning year-round.
Theatre Glory – A Prime Of What The Mares Programme Can Do
Theatre Glory, our very own Canter Banter Racing Syndicate mare, raked in an impressive £97,505.97 in total prize money, a significant chunk of which came through mares-only races.
During her novice season, Theatre Glory took home £26,015 by winning the Herring Queen Series Final Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) at Kelso.
She also added £14,237.50 for winning the Bearrene.com Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Class 1) at Cheltenham—a fantastic meeting dedicated to mares.
Strategic Race Selection
By focusing on mares-only races, we maximised her potential:
- Building confidence – Success against her peers allowed her to develop without the pressure of facing seasoned geldings early on.
- Earning significant prize money – Targeting high-value mares’ races boosted her earnings.
- Progressing to graded open company – With a strong foundation, Theatre Glory successfully competed in open company, including graded races against the boys where she placed and add more money to her prize pot.
And that’s just the beginning. Some other notable mares’ races include:
- Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Warwick Mares’ Hurdle, won by Theatre Glory herself.
- Racing TV Mares’ Hurdle at Kempton, won by stars like My Sister Sarah, Miranda, and Coquelicot.
- Bet365 Mares’ Hurdle at Wetherby, which has seen wins from Molly Ollys Wishes, You Wear It Well, and La Bague Au Roi.
- Play Coral ‘Racing-Super-Series’ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Newbury, won by our own Spring Note.
- Welcombe Hills Vineyard Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick, where Either Or, another of our mares, took home the win.
These races not only offer substantial prize money but also give mares the chance to consistently perform well, increasing their overall career earnings and value as broodmares.
Celebrating the Finest - Famous Mares in National Hunt Racing
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle went unbeaten in her first 16 races, a remarkable feat in National Hunt racing. She won the prestigious Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2021 and 2022.
Annie Power
Annie Power bounced back after a fall at the last hurdle in the 2015 Mares’ Hurdle when leading to triumph in the 2016 Champion Hurdle, becoming only the fourth mare to win the race.
Quevega
Quevega won the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival a record six consecutive times from 2009 to 2014. She the standard for mares in National Hunt racing!
Mares Maximising the Programme - Success Stories
Beyond the famous names, many mares have expertly navigated the mares’ programme to achieve significant success. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Molly Ollys Wishes
Total Prize Money: £115,715.51
Total Runs: 28
Total Wins: 7
Total Places: 14
Notable wins in mares races include:
- Grade 2 SBK Mares’ Hurdle at Ascot
- Bet365 Mares’ Hurdle at Wetherby (Listed Race)
- St Marys Land Warwick Mares’ Hurdle (Listed Race)
Indefatigable
Total Prize Money: £194,975.44
Total Runs: 30
Total Wins: 7
Total Places: 19
Notable wins in mares races include:
- Bet365 Hurdle at Wetherby (Grade 2)
- Paddy Power Mares’ Hurdle at Warwick (Listed Race)
- Glide Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (Listed Race)
Martello Sky
Total Prize Money: £97,224.36
Total Runs: 20
Total Wins: 8
Total Places: 11
Notable wins in mares races include:
- Unibet Mares’ Hurdle at Sandown (Listed Race)
- Close Brothers Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham
- Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (Listed Race)
Lady Buttons
Total Prize Money: £288,448.96
Total Runs: 30
Total Wins: 15
Total Places: 11
Notable wins in mares races include:
- Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle at Doncaster (Grade 2)
- Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase at Doncaster (Listed Race)
- Bet365 Mares’ Hurdle at Wetherby (Listed Race)
Zambella
Total Prize Money: £246,380.06
Total Runs: 24
Total Wins: 9
Total Places: 11
Notable wins in mares races include:
- Houghton Mares’ Steeple Chase at Aintree (Listed Race)
- Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase at Doncaster (Listed Race)
- Lady Godiva Mares’ Novices’ Chase at Warwick (Listed Race)
Pink Legend
Total Prize Money: £235,407.65
Total Runs: 40
Total Wins: 10
Total Places: 19
Notable wins in mares races include:
- Fair Maid of Perth Mares’ Chase at Perth (Listed Race)
- Mares’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham
- Virgin Bet Mares’ Chase at Exeter (Listed Race)
Annie Mc
Total Prize Money: £123,794.63
Total Runs: 18
Total Wins: 7
Total Places: 10
Notable wins in mares races include:
- Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase at Warwick (Listed Race)
- Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase at Doncaster (Listed Race)
- EBF/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase at Wincanton
Vienna Court
Total Prize Money: £109,623.40
Total Runs: 22
Total Wins: 4
Total Places: 12
Notable wins in mares races include:
- Mares’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham
- Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton
- Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Ffos Las
Why Mares Are Perfect for Syndicates
You might be asking yourself, “Why should I invest in a mare?” Here’s why mares are great for those who want to own a racehorse.
More Race Opportunities
The dedicated mares’ races provide ample chances to win without competing against geldings. But that doesn’t mean they’re not high-quality races; mares like Theatre Glory have built impressive careers by excelling in both mares’ races and open company.
Consistent Earnings
With more races designed specifically for mares, they have the potential to consistently accumulate earnings throughout their career. Even if they don’t win the biggest festivals, they can still bring in solid prize money.
Breeding Potential
Unlike geldings, mares have the added value of becoming broodmares after their racing career. This makes them a dual investment; one that pays off on the track and later in the breeding barn.
Resale Value
If you own a share in a mare, there’s also the option to sell her for breeding once her racing days are over. High-performing mares can fetch premium prices at auction, offering a profitable exit strategy for syndicate members.
Targeted Racing
The mares’ programme allows syndicates to strategically plan a mare’s racing career, building her confidence and skills through races specifically designed for her, with the flexibility to eventually take on open company.
A Golden Opportunity Awaits
The evolution of National Hunt racing presents an exciting opportunity to embrace the potential of mares. With dedicated programmes, financial incentives, and a wealth of race options, owning a mare has never been more appealing.
At Canter Banter Racing, we are committed to supporting the mares’ programme and are always looking to add quality mares to our team. We believe in the power and promise that mares bring to the sport, and we’re eager to share this journey with you.
Ready to be part of this exciting venture?
Whether you’re an experienced owner or new to racing, we’d love to discuss how you can get involved with our syndicate and experience the thrill of owning a National Hunt mare.
Contact Katie at [email protected] for more information and take the first step toward owning your own racehorse.
Lets Go Racing!!
Enjoy the excitement and thrill of owning a racehorse and join us in the winners circle.