It looks like we will have 179 members this year.  I believe that this is the second highest number of members we’ve ever had.  (The record is 202 back in 2015, I believe it was)  That means we have $44,750 in the bank account to get started.

What we want to have are two horses to be ready to run here opening weekend (May 4). Two horses seem to work well for a number of reasons:  we get to run more frequently which gives everyone a chance to get in the paddock and more race day opportunities; should one falter we still have a shot at being successful; two horses generally provide us with a lot of opportunities to talk about running a horse and the invariable number of surprises they provide!

Keeping in mind that we also have this finite sum to work with, we want to make sure we keep enough money in the bank to pay expenses.  As you will see, keeping a horse in training costs between $2200 – $2500 a month.  With multiple horses, of course, the expense also multiplies.

Assuming $5000 a month for expenses for 4 months ($20,000), this leaves us $24,750 in the account to go shopping with.  We’ll be looking at taking a shot by claiming a more expensive horse ($12,500 or so) and then trying to privately purchase a lesser horse at the end of the Oaklawn meet that will prove to be useful here as well.

Our license application as a group is being processed in Arkansas today.  We need to register as a group and every member over 5% has to be licensed as an individual (that is only one person, me, so nothing to worry about there).  We also have to designate Nevada Litfin, our trainer, as authorized agent.  This allows him to claim horses on our behalf without me having to be there and sign every claiming slip.  The cost of the group license is $60 while the authorized agent form is another $38.  This will need to be done in every jurisdiction where we will race.

Bottom line is, as of tomorrow afternoon, we should be ready to start buying horses.

Tomorrow we will post what we’re looking for when we’re shopping as well as how the claiming process works.

By now those of you that have returned or joined the Club should have received your “Welcome” email.  We are still not completely finalized as far as the final count and cashing of checks goes, but we’re close.  Hopefully we will have that for you next week and we can get started.

We did want to give you the several ways you can follow the Club and the various levels of information they offer.

Blog: This blog will have the most complete information.  We will have detailed race previews, financial updates, interviews with the trainer and other information.

Twitter (@CBY_Racing_Club): Quick updates as to entries, workouts and reminders.  Given space constraints we can’t get too detailed but usually the first place to see an entry or workout information posted.

Facebook (Canterbury Racing Club): This is new this year.  Just search for Canterbury Racing Club and follow the page.  We envision this page to be a place for members to connect, post photos and enjoy the more social aspects of being a Clubber.

Thanks for joining and thanks for following along – whichever way you choose!

Currently the accounting is being processed for the 2018 Club. We don’t have the final number yet but it looks like this year’s Club may be the second largest in its history!

Hopefully everything will be finalized the end of this week, then we can go on and get the group licensed in Arkansas and get on the ball looking for horses.  We may claim them we may buy them privately, it just depends upon what Nevada can find for us.  He is already on the lookout and ready to go when we are.

We REALLY want to be ready opening weekend and hit the Canterbury season running, if you will.

Once we get the final numbers there will be another post outlining how many folks we have and what we’ll be looking for going forward.

THANK YOU to all of you that have rejoined or signed up for the first time this year!