Succesful ownership leads to Derby winner

Having enjoyed outstanding success as a member of the Goodwood Racehorse Owners' Group, known affectionately at GROG, Peter Pakenham was spurred on to become an owner in his own right. He took out membership of the third GROG scheme and had the good fortune of seeing the horse win at 50-1.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Oct 2006, 13:59 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 04:10 BST

He wrote to tell the group: " It set me on the right road and I had the amazing good fortune to win the Derby with Sir Percy, the first horse my wife Victoria and I have owned in our own right to win on the Flat."

He had bought Sir Percy for 16,000 guineas- less than the average cost of a GROG horse.

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He was in good company as a GROG member, for the Duke of Richmond told members at a cocktail party at Goodwood House last week that he has subscribed to all of the schemes since inception from his own pocket.

"We are now in the 14th scheme ( it is actually the 13th but for those who are superstitious, we chose to avoid that number). I am an accountant by profession and watch my finances, but I regard GROG as great value," he told guests.

He said that on average he had received back at least 350 of the 675 costs on each scheme. Some had been more successful than others, but all had provided enormous enjoyment to everyone.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette October 4