New owners, old owners and cross-code owners – the Off N Racing way
Matt Markham - Raceform • June 12th, 2025 4:28 PM • 4 min read
In the search for an affordable and fun way for people to get involved in horse ownership, finding the right mix can be difficult, but Christchurch syndicator Andrew Fitzgerald thinks he’s come pretty close to the right recipe for success.
Under the banner of Off N Racing, Fitzgerald is building an ownership stable of impressive proportions with close to 400 individual owners across 30-odd horses his syndicates currently have shares in – and there’s room for more.
“We’re climbing back up again after a tough couple of years for everyone, the interest is just starting to rise back up and it’s great to see,” Fitzgerald told RaceForm.
“I like the fact that every time I advertise a horse with shares available, there’s new people enquiring and coming on board too. The group is always growing.”
Born in 2017 as a platform in which to help trainers with their communications through social media, Off N Racing quickly morphed into something much bigger for Fitzgerald when he realised there was a real desire out there for people to experience the thrill of having a horse at the races without having to spend exuberant amounts of money to do so.
Working largely in micro-shares, Off N Racing enlists the services of trainers up and down the country who are searching for those final few per cent to fill an ownership list, opening up the opportunity to the large band of members, both new and old.
“The model we work from is more about getting people into horses and allowing them the enjoyment of having one at the races, and for many it’s been the start of them stepping right into the game and getting really involved.
“Being a little more affordable with the micro-shares certainly helps, it’s just another method of ownership that sits well alongside all the other opportunities that are out there and services a real need for a lot of people.”
It hasn’t all been straight-out success, though, and at times it’s been flat-out difficult with the perils of having involvement in racehorses. But each win is special and celebrated across the country by those involved.
Just last week, the group made their way into the winners’ circle when Star Magic, a recent acquisition, was victorious at Addington in the hands of Blair Orange for trainer Matt Purvis.
Purchased off Gavelhouse’s standardbred online sale, he was snapped up quickly when advertised with an eclectic group of owners, some taking the small shares on offer and others something a little larger.
“Star Magic was a horse I’ve always had my eye on, and when he became available, it just made sense to get our hands on him and try to syndicate him out. He’d be one of the quickest selling up and going horses I’ve sold, and I was really pleased last weekend to be able to get a result so quickly for those that backed me and the horse.”
Thoroughbred racing is also growing in interest from the once-solely harness-based group too. They enjoyed success back in April with promising two-year-old Silver Salute, who jogged to victory for trainer Chrissy Bambry at Whanganui, and there’s real excitement about the return of the grey daughter of US Navy Flag.
“Silver Salute is quite exciting. Getting that win on debut created a huge buzz for everyone involved. She’s still in the paddock at the moment, but we’re looking forward to having her back in work soon.”
Add to that shares in horses in the care of trainers like Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott and Roger James and Robert Wellwood, and there’s a bit more to look forward to as well.
On the harness front, Fitzgerald has spread the resources far and wide and can currently record having horses in work with Purvis, Jo and Dylan Ferguson, Robert and Jenna Dunn, Hayden and Amanda Cullen and also Tom Bamford.
What has been created within the Off N Racing brand is a pleasing result of cross-code contamination, with many harness only owners now dabbling into the thoroughbred world through the syndications and vice versa for pure thoroughbred owners and breeders taking shares in standardbreds and enjoying success.
“I find that really satisfying. In a time where the industry is trying to really come together and secure the future, to see people stepping away from their normal and trying their hand at the other code is so great.”
The ownership group will be back on track at Addington this weekend chasing more success when Almighty Clever, who ran a valiant second last Sunday, steps out in the final heat of the New Zealand Amateur Drivers Series.
“He’s been going great races for us, Almighty Clever, but just hasn’t had a whole lot of luck at the barrier draws. In fact, he seems to be attached to bad ones.
“Sectionally he’s been great recently, and you’d like to think dropping back into the amateur grade with the way he’s going that we’ve got another great chance of success.”
It’s a series Fitzgerald knows well as a former winner, and he’s always happy to see the Off N Racing brand supporting the amateur ranks with runners in races across the country.
