Basher is hoping the two-year-olds he purchased in May can atone for the controversial demotion of She’s Perfect in the French 1,000 Guineas, the Poule d-Essai des Pouliches, at Longchamp.
The 31-year-old former catering company owner, who was nicknamed Basher by his family as a child, is putting his faith in a Sioux Nation colt acquired at the Arqana Sales and two more exciting young horses bought at Tattersalls in Ireland.
Charlie Fellowes, who came so agonisingly close to achieving a first Classic success with She’s Perfect, will train the colt along with a filly by the same sire, while Rebecca Menzies has taken charge of a Mohaather filly bred close to her North East yard.
“The French Guineas has been such a rollercoaster ride for me and my shareholders but has made me even more determined to chase my dream of owning exciting racehorses and sharing the fun with likeminded people,” says Norwich-based Basher, whose real name is James.
“I gave up my business to concentrate full time on my syndicates because I just love horse racing and bringing the sport to people of all ages who in many cases are experiencing it for the first time.”
Basher became hooked on racing when he saw Frankel blitz his rivals in the 2011 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and now has nine syndicates and a social media based racing club with over 200 members.
“I became obsessed with racing and wanted to take a deeper dive into the sport,” he adds. “I’d had a few small shares with other syndicates but met Charlie before we bought She’s Perfect and we’ve become great friends.
“I sold small shares in She’s Perfect from just £600 and 30 owners joined me at Longchamp on Guineas Day, some of them students. It was devastating to lose the race in the stewards’ room but a syndicate horse was first past the post in a Guineas and no one can take that away from us.
“She’s Perfect was also placed in a Group 3 in France last year and my first horse Believe The Storm won first time out for Charlie back in December, so it’s been an amazing journey so far. Since the Guineas so many people have approached me wanting to get involved in my horses which is fantastic and the racing club is going from strength to strength, too.
“We don’t have horses in the club. It’s a social hub that aims to connect people who are interested in racing through friendship groups and we have several outings lined up including a day at the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle and a trip to Ireland,” he adds.
Meanwhile, She’s Perfect is being lined up for a return to France in the French Oaks, the Prix de Diane, when the Basher Watts Racing syndicate will be out in force once again to cheer home what would without any doubt be a hugely popular success.
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