UPDATE: Shezawitness has sold out but you can still get involved in affordable thoroughbred ownership through miRunners with a number of horses and trainers still available. Click here to go to Our Stable and browse through our range of horses and trainers, all for a low price.
The story of Saganaki is already well-known in racing circles: a premium thoroughbred that Australians could own a unit in for just $165 (plus $15 monthly fee).
Saganaki’s tale was a great story for miRunners and a great story for the growth of the racing industry. It is a story that is going to be continued with miRunners announcing that there will be a second yearling bought at January’s Magic Millions, to be trained by Mick Price.
But with over 1,000 yearlings being put up for auction at the Gold Coast Magic Millions, how is a single horse identified to be the next miRunners horse?
The Buying and Inspection Process
It all begins with a comprehensive scouting network across Australia. This network is set up to inspect yearlings around the country to create a shortlist of potential purchases.
In Australia, yearlings have a nine-week preparation where they change from new-borns into horses.
The studs bring their yearlings into paddock at the end of October and begin the preparation which includes an education, dietary and exercise program. This allows owners and buyers to see the potential in each yearling.
RELATED NEWS: Gai Waterhouse announced as miRunners trainer
While farms are often reluctant to showcase their yearlings until the preparation is complete in December, prospective buyers generally begin their inspections in November.
With studs to visit in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland, miRunners scouts will begin to visit two to three farms per week starting this Monday.
Every buyer has their own methods and ratings and miRunners will be using their own unique techniques to create a shortlist to take to the Gold Coast.
A week prior to the sales commencing, the yearlings will be available for inspection on-site at the Gold Coast. All yearlings that are on the buy list will need to pass an x-ray inspection by an independent vet. From there, final targets are assessed and the horses are put up for auction.
Prices of yearlings are subjective, with pedigree, horse type and progress all taken into consideration. miRunners will be looking to purchase a horse in the $165,000-$275,000 price bracket, aiming to get the best quality for that price range.
The Good News
The best part about the buyer’s journey with miRunners is that you can be a part of it for a one-off cost of $15 (purchase of a Priority Access Voucher).
Purchasing a Priority Access Voucher will give you exclusive access to insights and information about the miRunners strategy and methods of buying yearlings.
Our chief scout will provide regular video updates to voucher holders about the farms and yearlings that the miRunners network have inspected which include:
- Discussing the pedigree and family of yearlings we look at
- Discussing the different types of horses from different sire lines
- Discussing the different confirmation issues, what’s forgivable and what’s not
- Checking features and aspects of horses, what we like about what certain sires produce
- Quoting recent results via the stallions, or if the mare has produced significant winners
- Other relevant information about the studs and horses being inspected
It is important to note that these updates will only be available to those who have purchased a Priority Access Voucher, not to the general public or anyone else.
As well as detailed information on the inspections and an insight to the miRunners process, all voucher holders will be invited to attend the Gold Coast Magic Millions to be there as we bid on your next horse.
An exclusive live stream will also be provided to voucher holders for those that cannot attend the auction in person.
This is your chance to get an insight into the buying process and refine your knowledge of thoroughbreds and the racing industry. It also allows you to experience every step of the owners’ experience, from inspections all the way to race day.
Other benefits
Holding a Priority Access Voucher will also:
- Guarantee your right to purchase an ownership unit once the horse has been purchased
- Reward you with your first two months of horse ownership fee-free ($30 of value), meaning you make your money back on the original voucher purchase
To purchase your Priority Access Voucher for only $15, please click here. With inspections starting on Monday, be quick.
