Sideline Sid Sports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

The recent Japan Trophy at the Tauranga Racecourse provided a special moment for a group of Mount Maunganui RSA (thoroughbred) syndicate members, who were on track to barrack and cheer their pride and joy home to victory.

It doesn't get much better than a Group 2 win on a home-town track for the Mount RSA band of racing fans, who hold a small ownership share in Brando.

Often referred to as the 'Sport of Kings', racehorse ownership was considered the preserve of the wealthy.

Racehorse syndication in recent times has opened the door to groups of racing fans pooling their resources to experience the rollercoaster ride of racehorse ownership.

Few would have believed that a casual conversation between some Mount Maunganui RSA punters in 2015, would lead to the thrills of racing at the highest level.

The ringleader of the group suggested that around 20 people get together to purchase a five per cent share in a horse, with the cost equating to less than the cost of a cup of coffee a week.

Such was the response that five per cent was subscribed in two horses, namely Red Poppy and Linchpin, who each won a race before injury brought early retirement.

However, the two replacements upped the ante to undreamed levels of success and joy.

New Zealand champion racing establishment, Te Akau Stables, was the home of the Mount RSA next pride and joy in Mongolianconquer.

The second acquisition, On The Rocks, raced out of the highly successful Ballymore Stables in Matamata.

Unbelievably, both horses graduated to race in the New Zealand Derby worth $1 million, at Ellerslie in March 2018.

Mongolianconquer went with a lip of winning the time-honoured NZ Derby for the Mount RSA gang, who each owned a couple of hairs of the horse's tail.

On The Rocks graduated to even higher honours in winning the Group 1 Herby Dyke Stakes in February 2019.

Still facing the starter in 2023, On The Rocks has won over half a million dollars in stake money and given the group of Mount RSA owners a multitude of thrills.

Brando has continued to fly the flag of elite racing success, with Group 2 wins in the Japan Trophy and the City of Palmerston North Gold Cup, and two Group 1 placings on her resume.

With $400,000 in the bank, Brando looks to have plenty of gas left in the tank, for another successful campaign next season.

Overseas success has come with Ceasar and Lottaroc winning from the Ballymore Melbourne stable, and Stenmark saluting the judge three times in Singapore.

At the time of writing, the Mount Maunganui RSA syndicates have held small shareholdings in 12 winning horses who have saluted the judge on 33 occasions.

Waiting in the wings as the new season beckons are a half dozen horses who will endeavour to extend the Mount RSA syndicates run of winners.

While the individual Mount Maunganui syndicate ownership shares are miniscule the thrill of experiencing the thrills of victory are 100 per cent.