About Us

Crest was set up to help racing enthusiasts get involved in racehorse ownership at a more affordable price. Some of our members are owners of racehorses outright, but they also see the benefit of spreading their risk and being able to be a part of a horse that might, ordinarily, be out of their price range. 

We generally target unexposed horses, normally yearlings, store horses and pointers that have shown promise. With an eye on horses in training that can take our members to the top racecourses. 

We use a trusted small group of experienced professionals to back up our own judgement. At the end of the day, it is about winning so we avoid buying just for the sake of it. Each purchase is carefully thought through. Syndicates are generally made up of between 10 – 20 members. 

We choose trainers that align with our ambitions, where communication is key. 

Martyn 

A retired Chartered Accountant, Martyn Chapman, has taken a keen interest in racing ever since, as a young teenage schoolboy, he got a summer job selling race cards at the Glorious Goodwood meeting. This interest developed into ownership with Guy Harwood, then, more recently with Robert Alner, where a partnership horse, Master Bomber, gave him his first winner. 

In 2016, a chance visit to Anthony Honeyball’s Dorset stable, led to his purchase of the mare Ms Parfois. She was the stable’s flag bearer during her career, where she won 6 out of her 16 runs and was second in the Midlands Grand National as well as at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals.

This partnership with Anthony Honeyball evolved into starting up and managing syndicates. Decimus Racing is up to eleven horses and the Potwell Racing Syndicates now number four. These are low-cost full ownership groups of different people, all sharing a love of racing and horses. Martyn has a passion for studying breeding and bloodstock. 

The aims, which will continue into Crest Racing, are to get members fully involved in the training aspects of the horses as well as the race-day experience.

Communications are of paramount importance in racehorse ownership and all news – whether good or bad have always been shared with members speedily. This was of equal relevance in Martyn’s working career as CEO of a major UK Book Distributor. US owners needed instant information on problems and successes-liaising with trainers and owners is not so stressful!

The main driving force is fun and enjoyment. Martyn will be hoping to experience this as well as sharing it with all members! 

Clive 

Clive has always had a keen interest in horse racing ever since “a day off school” took him to Newmarket on Thursday 1st May 1980 to witness Quick As Lightning, trained by the late, great John Dunlop, win the 1000 guineas by a neck. Backed at 16/1 (sp 12/1) led to the naïve belief that this game was easy!
 

As well as horse racing Clive has a passion for Greyhound racing and would often be at found the “The Stow” of an evening, sadly the "Ascot of greyhound racing" is long gone. 

Since then, he has taken a keen interest in the form book, breeding and the athleticism of racehorses, as well as greyhounds! 

Clive dipped his toe in the water by running Pursuit Racing a syndicate for KPF Racing, which sold out within a week!
 

His experience of ownership and in particular syndication led to the creation of Crest Racing. 

The ambition to run a fair, transparent, fun group of owners has finally come to fruition. 

Our Trainers

Tried and tested by us. Their opinion and help with race planning is essential. 

Along with their first-class facilities make them part of the dream team! 

Please see our trainers page for more information.