Breed: Thoroughbred
Locations: West Virginia, Kentucky
Average Review (0)
Pocket Aces Racing LLC is a racing syndicate formed to provide affordable opportunities for individuals to enjoy the “sport of kings” through fractional ownership.
Our goal is to provide all the fun and excitement that thoroughbred racing has to offer with a fraction of the financial risk, none of the hassle, and an extreme level of customer service.
There are many companies offering racing partnerships around the country. Why should you consider Pocket Aces Racing when exploring partnership opportunities?
Yearlings - Pocket Aces Partnerships typically involve the purchase of yearlings. This allows Pocket Aces to have more control over the Thoroughbred's early development.
Affordable Shares - Unlike the majority of partnership opportunities, Pocket Aces Partnerships are affordable. Ownership starts at just $2500.00 per share.
In the Money - Pocket Aces runners have finished in the money in more than 50% of their starts. Even more impressive, Pocket Aces runners have "cashed a check" in more than 90% of their starts.
No Mark-Up - Pocket Aces Racing does not make money by marking up the cost of the thoroughbred to prospective partners. The partnerships pay the actual price the thoroughbred brings in the auction ring.
Limited Expenses - Because Pocket Aces Racing builds the initial budget to include all normal, expected expenses through the 2-year old year, additional expenses beyond the initial contribution are minimal. In addition, purse earnings are utilized to pay for future expenses. In three years since Pocket Aces Racing was established, no additional capital contributions to partnerships have been necessary. In fact, Pocket Aces Racing has only paid dividends to its members.
Maximizing Experience - The primary goal of Pocket Aces Racing is to maximize the experience of each and every partner. Partners are invited to participate in every step of the process. Join us at the sale as we select the Thoroughbred, help name the Thoroughbred, and of course, join us at the the track for the races. Partners receive race video, winner's circle pictures, and up-to date detailed information about the progress of the Thoroughbred. What we know, you will know.
Charitable Contributions - One percent of all Pocket Aces Racing purse earnings will be donated to a Thoroughbred Charity.
In Operation Since
2005
Managing partner(s):
Marc Wampler
Jared Shoemaker
Alan Burkhard
Marc Wampler has been involved in the thoroughbred industry since 1993. At various points in his career he has worked as a hot-walker (see thoroughbred definitions, “agent”), groom (see thoroughbred definitions), sales show person, veterinary assistant and bloodstock agent. All of which provided invaluable experience for his present positions as Managing Partner of Pocket Aces Racing and PHW Equine Investments.
From 1993 to 1996 Marc worked as a groom in the yearling (see thoroughbred definitions) and broodmare (see thoroughbred definitions) divisions of the prestigious Lane’s End Farm. Also, during that period served as hot walker and groom for the famed Calumet Racing Stable.
From 1996 to 2000 Marc was employed by Equine Analysis Systems, Inc. where he was charged with inspecting and evaluating young racehorses, for potential private purchase, at dozens of race tracks across the United States, from Golden Gate Park (San Francisco) to Gulfstream Park (Miami) and many race tracks in between (31 to be exact). In this capacity, Marc played an integral part in the private purchase of numerous graded stakes (see thoroughbred definitions, “stake”) winners and millionaires. Marc also met the needs of the company’s clientele located in Dubai, Germany, France, England and Ireland. This experience provided an excellent opportunity to evaluate some of the best breeding stock, racing prospects and racehorses in the World.
In 2000, Marc formed Classic Thoroughbreds International, Inc., a bloodstock agency whose focus is client representation at public thoroughbred horse auctions. Marc selected, as young racing prospects, Graded Stakes winners Artemus Sunrise, Tiberius Caesar and Stakes winners Chan Chan and Three in the Bag. The agency also served as Racing Manager for Rich Meadow Farm and helped guide their homebred (see thoroughbred definitions), Slew Valley, to victories in the Grade 2 King Edward Breeders’ Cup and the Grade 3 Connaught Cup.
Currently Marc holds the positions of Managing Partner for Pocket Aces Racing and PHW Equine Investment, a private investment group that grossed over $380,000 in sales for first year and is anticipating a banner year in 2006 with the sales of 6 excellent foals (see thoroughbred definitions) in November.
He is primarily responsible for horse selection, sales representation, horse related personnel and race management.
Jared Shoemaker is a lifelong fan of the thoroughbred horse racing industry. He holds a Master’s Degree in Sport Management from the University of Kentucky. After a brief stint in the private sector, Jared spent 9 years as the Assistant Director of Athletics and Director of Sports Information at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, OH. He currently works in the pharmaceutical industry.
He is primarily responsible for member relations, communications, and financial management.
Alan Burkhard has been in and out of racing since 1959 when he worked as a hot walker at Delaware Park. He began The Placers, a staffing service in the mid-Atlantic, in 1972. He sold the business in 1997. He currently owns a waste management company and two restaurants in Delaware. He has been a thoroughbred owner for the past 20 years and currently lives on a small horse farm in Chesapeake City, MD.
Additional Key players:
Jeff Runco is our trainer at Charles Town Races and Slots. He has been among the leading trainers at Charles Town for more than 20 years.
What kinds of horses do you target, for what kinds of races? What are the main goals of your partnerships?
We typically buy yearlings in September or October. We typically start our horses at Charles Town Races and Slots due to the level of competition and the very attractive purse structure ($28,000 maiden special weight). If a horse warrants moving to a higher level of competition, we will do so.
How is the managing partner compensated?
Compensation varies depending on each partnership. Typically it involves equity in the thoroughbred or a management fee.
Who authorizes the various expenditures and how are the partners notified and billed?
The managing partners authorize expenditures. Partners are notified of all expenditures via monthly reports.
To date, we have never had to bill our partners for any expenses. Expenses through the 15 months of each partnership is built into the initial capital investment. Purse earnings are intended to cover expenses beyond the first 15 months.
When income is recognized from purse money or sales, does this income flow directly to investors or is it maintained in an account to cover future expenses? At what point does the partnership settle up (monthly, quarterly or annually)? Is each partner provided a statement reflecting cash receipts and disbursements? How often?
Income is maintained to cover future expenses, however, distributions may be made at any time the partnership has sufficient cash available to maintain 12 months of expenses. Partners are provided monthly reports of income and expenses.
The goal of our partnerships is to provide individuals with all the fun and excitement of owning races horses without all the hassle and headache.
REVIEWS
If you would like to leave a review, please click here.
