As the saying goes, ‘behind every good man is a good woman’ and this is most certainly so with Justin Bryne, who with his wife Rebecca, run the EERC.
Everyone that has been involved in the horse racing business, whether as an owner or a trainer, will be very aware that for the most part it is - or should be - an entertainment industry, though this often gets rather lost in translation. By our very natures we are programmed to be totally oblivious to the cost of something that gives us huge amounts of pleasure and creates everlasting memories. On holidays, birthdays and Christmas, we spend our hard-earned money with abandon, whilst thinking of the happiness we are generating. We attend football, rugby and golf for the sheer joy it brings to our souls - and racing is much the same.
A share in a racehorse, however small, is a reason for heart-stopping excitement and moments of adrenaline-pumped outrageous displays of happiness. What better qualified type of person could there be to help provide such joy than a man whose history is steeped in the entertainment industry?
Justin Byrne is just such a man. His whole life has been played out making people happy both as a DJ and a comedian. He has DJ’d in the UK, Jamaica and, of course, the more expected locations of Ibiza and Majorca, where he ran a nightclub too. Justin ran and performed in comedy clubs as far apart as England, Bahrain and Dubai, including the still-running Try Out Circuit in the UK.
It all began back in 2006 with a horse called Sir Edwin Landseer. Justin and his wife Rebbeca were enjoying the benefits and pleasures of racehorse ownership and felt they would like to share this with others and thereby draw new owners to an already expanding UAE racing scene. Their longtime friend Jason Ford, who has been a driving force for racing in UAE for many years, had late into-the-night discussions about forming a ‘racing club’ and soon after the Emirates Entertainment Racing Club was formed.
It’s original format slightly varies from that of the current one, in so much as it was possible for many people to have very, very small shares of several horses. The logistics of running such a club must have put a huge amount of pressure, most notably on Rebecca, who is responsible for liaising with all the club members on a day-to-day basis. At one time in 2010 the club numbers climbed to 108. I dread to imagine how much fun was involved in arranging race passes and badges for so many people - not to mention collecting them again afterwards in readiness for the next race day. Everyone assures me that Rebecca achieves all this with the minimum of fuss or drama. The old “bronze to platinum” tiered ownership system has been traded in for a more traditional set up, while still remaining within reach of us ordinary folk without top drawer salaries.
At the start of each UAE season there are now a maximum of ten ‘Taster’ shares available, which, for Dh10,000, buys a three per cent share of a selection of eight horses. This is a great way to introduce an owner to racing for a minimal outlay with usually a prize money cheque coming back in as a nice bonus.
As this is a once-only offer, the system is able to generate 10 first time owners each season. The majority having dipped their toe into the water come back for more by purchasing individual shares in club horses of their own choice and budget with most having legs of several, thus ensuring many days of racing with the opportunity for being up on that much coveted Winners rostrum - and the awesomely proud recipient of a trophy.
The club started out with just a small number of horses and this current season has expanded to 22. Sweet Child O Mine, who holds the honour of being the cheapest purchase at a mere £2,000, went on to win five races and has been retained as a broodmare. Her first foal by Sahkee is now a two-year-old and will go into training this spring in England. Kilt Rock was the most successful, winning £152.000 in prize money against his purchase price of just £14,000. Clasp holds a special place as the very first Dubai Carnival winner while Prince Shaun holds the accolade of the first Dubai World Cup night runner.
Justin has upped the ante this year, with well sought out and slightly higher priced purchases, including French import Grand Argentier who bagged a Carnival win two weeks ago. Tradesman is an ex-Godolphin horse who was trained in the US by Thomas Albertrani.
Members will have the pleasure of enjoying the renowned Richard Hannon hospitality with the extremely aptly named Legendary Lunch - taxis at the ready - essential for returning from stable visits to the Hannon’s!!!! At £100.000 (Dh528,689) the son of Dragon Pulse is the highest priced incumbent so far. One of the big pluses of the EERC must be having horses trained in Dubai- mainly with Doug Watson and also in England where the trainers are Dubai regulars Brendan Powell and George Baker, multiple Group winning trainer’s Ralph Beckett and Richard Hannon, and to keep the mix really international, Bahraini Fawzi Nass has a couple, one of which is the ex-Coolmore inmate and beautifully bred Los Barbados. A visit to the Keenland Breeze up Sales is on the agenda very soon on the look out for suitable types to run on the Meydan dirt surface and a possible Carnival winner.
We all wish much good fortune to horses and people in the coming races.
- — The author is a former trainer from the UK and the mother of leading international jockeys James and Sophie Doyle.
