With the start of the Cheltenham Festival just one day away, racing fans across Britain and Ireland begin to think about the biggest races, the strongest stables, and the horses that will dominate the spring.
At the same time, one racing syndicate is offering fans something far more unusual than a tip or preview.
Pompey Ventures is running a competition where one entrant will win a 1% ownership share in the racehorse Kingmaker, who is now in training with Willie Mullins at Closutton.
This is not a hospitality prize or a temporary experience. The winner becomes part of the ownership group behind the horse and joins the Pompey Ventures syndicate.
The competition is free to enter, open to residents of the UK and Ireland, and entries close at 9pm on Saturday 14 March.
For fans who have always wondered what it feels like to own a racehorse trained at the sport’s most successful jumps yard, it offers a rare route into that world.
What the Winning Share Includes
The successful entrant receives a 1% stake in Kingmaker through the Pompey Ventures syndicate.
That means joining the ownership group and receiving updates on the horse’s progress as his campaign develops. Owners follow the horse’s preparation, hear news directly from the yard, and take part in the discussions that shape the season ahead.
On race days where badge allocations allow, shareholders can attend as owners and watch their horse run from inside the parade ring area.
The share also carries a proportional entitlement to prize money according to the syndicate’s structure.
For many racing followers, even a modest stake like this offers the clearest view of how racehorse ownership works in reality.
You are not simply watching the race. You are part of the story behind it.
A Small Syndicate With a Hands-On Approach
Pompey Ventures operates as a compact UK-based racing syndicate focused on keeping ownership accessible and personal.
Rather than large ownership groups with hundreds of shareholders, the syndicate keeps numbers manageable so communication stays direct and informal.
Owners speak regularly with the partners who run the syndicate, attend stable visits, and stay closely involved in the planning around their horses.
Shares typically start from around 2.5%, with options for larger holdings depending on availability.
The approach appeals to owners who want genuine involvement rather than a distant investment.
For many members, the social side of racing is just as important as the results on the racecourse.
Why Kingmaker?
Kingmaker joined the Pompey Ventures team after being purchased for 55,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale.
He arrived from the yard of Andrew Balding after a consistent spell on the Flat.
During that period he raced 11 times, finishing second on four occasions and often finishing close behind the winner.
Kingmaker looks every inch a dual-purpose horse, a strong and athletic type capable of competing on the Flat but also suited to hurdles.
That profile naturally pointed connections toward a jumps campaign.
When Pompey Ventures began considering where he should be trained, one option quickly stood above the rest.
The Closutton Factor
The decision to send Kingmaker to Closutton placed him at the centre of Irish jumps racing.
The yard run by Willie Mullins has become the dominant force in National Hunt racing, producing champions across every division.
Former Flat horses have often flourished there once switched to hurdles.
Mullins is known for giving young horses time to develop, allowing them to strengthen physically before asking them to compete at the highest level.
That approach made the yard a natural fit for Kingmaker.
During a recent visit to the stable, the Pompey Ventures group were able to see the horse settled into his new surroundings and hear how his early work has been progressing.
Guided by Patrick Mullins, they watched the morning routine and saw how the system operates inside one of racing’s most successful training centres.
The feedback was encouraging. Kingmaker is strengthening, maturing, and being prepared carefully for the next stage of his career.
Early plans suggest a novice hurdle as his first assignment, with longer-term targets still open depending on how he progresses.
His dual-purpose profile even leaves open the possibility of returning to the Flat if conditions suit.
How to Enter the Kingmaker Competition
The Kingmaker ownership competition gives one racing fan the chance to step straight into that story.
Entry is free and open to residents of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Submissions close at 9pm on Saturday 14 March 2026.
For most followers of the sport, owning a racehorse trained by Willie Mullins is something they only ever talk about.
This competition gives one person the opportunity to experience it first hand.
Kingmaker is already settled at Closutton and preparing for the next phase of his career.
If you are taking a chance on anything this Cheltenham season, this could be the most interesting bet of all.
