Racehorse Partnerships: Some Common Questions Answered

In the final segment of a 5-part video series, panelists at the TOC Partnerships Seminar answer questions about training methods and rates, purchasing horses at auction, and some of the fees involved in partnership structures.

The panelists are horse owner Pablo Suarez, equine attorney Gary Fenton, and trainer Matt Chew.

Questions and Answers About Racehorse Partnerships

John Lies, Del Mar Intertrack Television Host, emcees a question and answer session at a seminar hosted by Thoroughbred Owners of California at Del Mar Racetrack on horse racing partnerships.

Gary Fenton, equine attorney and managing partner of Little Red Feather Racing, discusses some of the specifics of limited liability partnerships (LLC's). Trainer Matt Chew addresses a question about some of the common mistakes people make when they get involved in horse racing partnerships. And racehorse owner Pablo Suarez follows up with some sound advice for anyone wishing to get into ownership: treat it like a business, and be realistic about your expectations for your horses.

This is part 4 of a 5-part video series being featured on this blog.

Trainer Snapshot: Matt Chew

Raised in a racing family, Matt Chew has been successfully training Thoroughbred race horses since 1982. A third-generation horseman, he operates the Matthew Chew Racing Stables in both northern and southern California. He regularly runs horses at Santa Anita, Del Mar, Hollywood Park, and Golden Gate Fields.

The barn where Chew Racing is located at Santa Anita was once home to the Noble Threewit Stable, and a commemorative stall plaque is displayed there. Noble Threewit was present as a trainer on the very first Opening Day at Santa Anita in 1934. Threewit continued to train there until well into his 90’s, retiring just a few years ago.

Chew trains for many types of partnerships, including general partnerships and syndicates like Bongo Racing. He is a regular participant on TOC (Thoroughbred Owners of California) educational seminar panels and at conformation clinics.


He uses the latest technology to communicate with owners, including email blasts, web posts and live barn cams so owners can watch their horses. He has partnered with Del Mar Racetrack the last two race meets to provide a barn webcam on the Del Mar website, giving race fans a unique look into the world of a Thoroughbred training barn.

Trainer Matt Chew Discusses Horse Racing Partnerships

At a seminar hosted by the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) at Del Mar Racetrack, trainer Matt Chew discussed the basics of owning horses in partnership. The various aspects of racing partnerships covered by Chew included the importance of selecting partners you can trust, the camaraderie partnerships provide, and the ways one can get involved in this type of ownership.

This excellent presentation is the second in a 5-part series that will be posted on this blog over the next few days.