About Us

Stratford Bards Racing was founded in 2004, by brothers Steven and Matthew Petty. When the club was formed it was our aim to provide the excitement of racehorse ownership, in an affordable way for close friends and family, who neither had the resources or knowledge to go in to racehorse ownership on their own.

Since the Race Club was formed, it has been extremely successful, the membership levels have grown, the quality of bloodstock has improved, and the visits to the winner’s enclosure have become more and more frequent. Our latest Race Club year has seen us record 8 victories from just 18 runs, which is an incredible return by anyone’s standards.

Our success hasn’t just been restricted to our latest Race Club year. In 2007, Elopement was the winningmost horse in Britain, and saw her awarded the Channel 4 Racing trophy for that year. Feet of Fury won 2 races from just 5 runs when we sent her to the Ian Williams yard, and one of our current horses, Carter, is now one of the most consistent dual purpose horses in training. Since we purchased him he has raced 10 times, winning 6, and placed 3 times (correct at time of writing on 1st September 2011) Since the end of 2010 all of our horses have been trained by Ian Williams, from his Dominion Stables, based in Portway on the outskirts of Birmingham. Due to his location we have regular stable visits, which is great for any Race Club member who wants to see the horses put through their paces, in either the equine pool, or on the gallops. It also gives the Race Club members the opportunity to discuss the horses with Ian, or his assistant Kevin, who are always on hand to discuss future plans for the Startford Bards horses, or other horses that they have in the yard.

We have always had either 2 or 3 horses in training each year since 2004. Our buying policy has always been to buy from the horses in training sales, and we are constantly looking for horses that have untapped potential, and represent good value for money.

Once you join the club you will receive regular emails, telling you about up and coming stable visits and the running plans for the horses. Whenever the horses run you will have a complimentary owners badge, and at the end of each race club year whatever is left in the kitty is distributed amongst the Race Club members on a pro rata basis.

Steven and Matthew run the club on a voluntary basis, so that every penny that comes into the club is spent on the running of the club and the training and the purchase of the bloodstock.

If you would like to join Stratford Bards Racing or would like to discuss it further then contact us at matt@stratfordbardsracing.co.uk