Kenwood Gives Taste of Thoroughbred Ownership

A Kenwood Racing horse readies for a race. (Photos courtesy Kenwood Racing)
Kenwood Racing has shaken up the traditional syndicate Thoroughbred ownership model, with the hopes of making the prospect of owning a racehorse more streamlined, more affordable, and with a little luck, more profitable. The key, according to Kenwood’s founder and managing partner Robb Levinsky, is a diversified flat-rate entry price that is comparable to the cost of season tickets to a pro sports team.
A Kenwood “co-owner” pays $5,000 to $10,000 for a stake in two or three horses. There are no surprise fees accrued as the season chugs along and the diversification into multiple horses lessens the risk of ownership. More horses also means more action on the track for the owners and, by default, more enjoyment throughout the season. The group’s tagline is a “Taste of Thoroughbred Ownership.”
It’s safe to say you are in good hands with Levinsky at the helm. The stable ranked in the top 250 (out of more than 25,000) owners in North America in 2014. Kenwood’s runners boasted an overall winning and in-the-money percentages of 18 percent and 46 percent, respectively, in addition to tallying 21 wins in 2014. The group is based out of Monmouth Park but their horses also races at other top tracks such as Gulfstream Park.
Kenwood’s approach also differs from some syndicates in the way revenue is generated. The funds are not purely made up of investors. “I have my own skin in the game,” Levinsky says. He retains 25 percent ownership in each of the horses, in addition to serving as the stable’s manager.
LEVINSKY IN THE BARN

Levinsky states that while the stable needs to be run as a business, the ultimate mission is to get new blood in the game. Ian Garsman, 22, learned about Thoroughbred ownership from his father and has always sought a way to enter into the business at an affordable cost. What he has learned is that not only does Kenwood offer the thrill of racing and the opportunity to gain a deeper knowledge of the sport, it is also a prime social outing.
“I put my blood, sweat and tears into getting my friends out to the track.” Garsman said. “I’ve gone out there with friends to watch my horses race and it’s a great way to cheer for the same horse and experience a ton of camaraderie.”
Fellow co-owner David Lowrey joined Kenwood through a less traditional avenue. He moved to New Jersey five years ago after living in England. While he attended the races from time to time in England, his only background in animal ownership was in the form of the 100 cows he grew up with on his family’s dairy farm.
Last year, as a member of the New Jersey Young Professionals group, Lowrey pounced on the chance to attend their “Day at the Races” event. There he met Levinsky, who toured the group around the paddock and introduced him to the Kenwood model.
“I had just received my tax refund, had a little spare cash, and figured it was a great time to get involved.” Lowrey said. “It’s a similar cost to buying season tickets to the Mets and I get free access to do something I enjoy, attending the races.”
Lowrey has joined his second Kenwood group this year. Through this introduction to ownership, he has also expanded his Thoroughbred portfolio by investing in a broodmare in a separate private investment.
Co-owner Tony Montana is a lifelong fan of Thoroughbred racing, who is entering into his fifth Kenwood group. Kenwood appeals to longtime fans as well because of the unique opportunities it opens up to get behind the scenes of the sport.
INSPECTING A SALE HORSE

Montana recently made the trip down to the 2-year-old-in-training sales in Ocala with Levinsky and five other partners. Levinsky schooled Montana and the rest of the partners in the nuances of selecting a horse at a sale. These types of outings are commonplace with Kenwood, as Levinsky will often invite the partners to his house for seminars to further educate his ownership base.
The model seems to be an efficient way of introducing potential private owners into the sport. With its success, it will be interesting to track if other groups follow suit. “If people start copying us, I’m happy because that’s going to be good for the game,” Levinsky said.