The thrill of owning a piece of a winning racehorse, once reserved for the ultra-wealthy, is now accessible to everyday fans through the micro-investing app MyRacehorse. The platform allows individuals to purchase fractional shares in thoroughbred racehorses, with an average buy-in price of approximately $463. This approach has attracted a diverse community of over 100,000 owners united by a passion for the sport.
Historically, thoroughbred ownership was a significant financial undertaking. However, drawing inspiration from successful collective ownership models in Japan, MyRacehorse has adapted the concept for the modern digital age. The app provides opportunities for fans to acquire equity stakes in horses, with ownership shares offered under various regulations, including Regulation A, Regulation CF, and Regulation D, each accompanied by necessary legal disclosures.
Prospective owners can explore available horses on MyRacehorse's U.S. platform, which features a range of thoroughbreds from yearlings to two-year-olds. The pricing structure allows for flexible financial commitment while securing a genuine stake in a horse's racing and potential breeding career. The platform aims to make ownership an immersive experience, offering owners an all-access pass to a racehorse's journey from training to racing.
MyRacehorse delivers an engaging ownership experience through its app, providing push notifications, race alerts, exclusive videos, and regular updates. It also facilitates unique community interactions such as naming contests, owner events at the track, and educational seminars. This focus on experience aims to provide a significant emotional return on investment for fans, complementing the financial aspect of ownership.
The platform collaborates with respected figures in the racing industry, including trainers and Hall of Fame horsemen like Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher. This association offers participants a transparent view into the development and management of top thoroughbreds. MyRacehorse has facilitated notable successes, including Authentic's victories in the 2020 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic, and Seize the Grey's win in the 2024 Preakness Stakes. These achievements highlight the platform's ability to bring its owners to the sport's highest echelons.
Despite the potential for significant rewards, MyRacehorse's founder and CEO, Michael Behrens, cautions that investing in racehorses carries substantial risk. He described racehorse ownership as having "ridiculously high risk and high beta," noting that the majority of horses do not yield profitable returns. The value of a horse can fluctuate dramatically, influenced by factors such as performance, injury, or a failure to compete at elite levels. For many, the primary return on investment is the emotional engagement and unique experience of being part of a racehorse's career rather than a guaranteed financial outcome.