http://www.winnerscirclepartners.com/
Breed: Thoroughbred
Locations: Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
Average Review (6)
Winners Circle Partners is led by an experienced owner and group of trainers that can manage any aspect of racing, including purchasing, training and racing young thoroughbreds or claiming current runners. Our goal is to accommodate all your needs and help you enjoy the thrill that thoroughbred horse racing offers.
Winners Circle Partners is managed by Stewart Nickel, a horseman with 20 years experience owning, breeding and racing thoroughbreds who has amassed over 130 wins and $2,600,000 in purses during his career as an owner. After co-founding and building a publicly-traded technology business over 11 years, Stewart exited the technology industry and has been focusing exclusively on thoroughbred horse racing since 2002. Running under “Memorial Stable”, his thoroughbreds currently compete at Mid-Atlantic racetracks including Laurel, Pimlico, Charles Town, Delaware Park and Philadelphia Park. Wanting to combine his passion for thoroughbreds, enjoyment of working with people and business experience, Stewart founded Winners Circle Partners and formed the initial Partnership in 2004.
The two types of Partnerships offered are Claiming and Yearling (with a primary emphasis on Claiming). There are many differences between these Partnerships so you should carefully consider the pros and cons of each before determining which is right for you.
Trainers include Scott Lake, Mike Rogers and David Walters. See site for more details and statistics for existing Partnerships.
REVIEWS
If you would like to leave a review, please click here. Jerry H, 2/11/09
I have been in the last 5 Partnerships, 4 Good and 1 not so good. 80% success rate is good by me. Besides, I learned that it is easier to win with good horses (20-40K); than, it is with suspect one (5-15K).
I got into the partnerships on the suggestion of a friend who shared my interest in wagering on the ponies. He said this would be a great opportunity to get into the other side of horse racing at minimal risk. I am glad that I did. I have learned much about horse racing and ownership in the past few years from Mr. Nickel who is always accessible either by email or phone.
I enjoy meeting the other partners when I go to the tracks and the exchanging of ideas and stories among partners is enlightening. In my opinion, Mr. Nickel has been pretty good at finding good claimers for Scott Lake to improve in his system. And as far as ROI, my investment in my first partnership has paid back enough to recoup the initial investment for my first 3 partnerships and that includes the one that didn’t do so well.
Last, as was stated in an earlier post, concerning Mr. Nickel’s fees and compensation, this isn’t a non-profit organization. As with any professional or employee, time is money. Mr. Nickel’s compensation is spelled out in the partnership’s agreement; so, no one should be surprised or upset after the fact about what his reimbursement is!
Mike Greaney, 2/5/2009
I have been in this partnership for four years and have really enjoyed the experience.
The managing partner is accessible, friendly, and has successfully proven his understanding of the business of this sport. I believe the partnership does a good job of striving to achieve the stated goals of the partnership. I have enjoyed getting to know the other partners and would recommend this partnership to anyone who wants to learn and enjoy this sport.
MJ, 2/4/2009
I've been a partner at Winners Circle partners for 2 years now and have the highest level of confidence in his team to win races! I'm an owner in 3 other partnerships, WCP has won more races in Two years than the other 3 partnerships added together with half the number of horses. First of all, can you say Scott Lake? Scott is one of the top trainers in the entire country and wins nationwide at a 25 - 30% clip annually. Winners CirclePartners has the most chance for success as it seeks out horses that have already made it to the races (unlike buying unproven 2 yo's at auctions). Scot Lake the improves the horse in his training program with top notch care and moves them up in company to allowance or stakes conditions. Can you say 20 wins in 2 years, I can. In both partnerships 2007 and 2008 we have a large surplus of cash to add additional horses or take a distribution, we decide. Many partners have already made their original investment back and still have horses winning races. Not one of my other partnerships shares the same success, a big thumbs up to Winners Circle Partners!
Howard B, 2/4/09
Winners Circle Partners (WCP) was started almost 5 years ago in Maryland. I have been involved in 6 of the 7 partnerships. I have brought in at least 13 friends to experience horse racing for the first time. Prior to that I had involvement with Throughbred racing for about 25 years. WCP claim all horses, in the 20-40k range. The general partner Stewart Nickel, does all the leg work for the group,evaluates and looks at all horses prior to the claim. The groups use top claiming trainers such as Scott Lake and Ben Feliciano.
Stewart has done a wonderful job with the website, and frequently updates partners through email. Out of the little more than 20 horses during this time frame, we have had 6 horses earning more than 100K. One who has earned more than 300K. Two have been stakes placed and one a stakes winner. Obviously, in this business, not all roses, but for the most part the partnerships have been very successful, with positive ROI, which you don't try for or expect in this sport.
In all my years in the business I have never had this much fun. This is the only way to go for Mid-Atlantic racing.
KMB 2/3/09
I have been in several WCP partnerships over the past three years and I find them managed extremely well. The regular communications to owners by the managing partner provides great detail and insight into the progress and training of the horses. It is also financially sound and responsible. A great way to learn and enjoy racing without great financial and time requirements. Worth a look if you are interested in a $5,000 investment.
KP 1/29/09
Manager takes a 10% cut of all purses, which is way too much considering the effort he puts into the management. He also charges a $35 per unit monthly fee but that money just goes in his pocket - he still bills out for every little thing including postage when nothing is mailed to the partners.
Quarterly financial reports are typically not sent until 45+ days after the close of the quarter. Tax prep is not completed until around first week of April. Money is spent like a drunken sailor on unneccessary items.
Stay away unless you just want to give away $5k. Just pick a horse and go stand in their win circle photo and it will be exactly the same as Winner Circle Partners - only much cheaper. There is no comraderie in the group because no one is introduced to each other.
