The Near or Never Syndicate offers a warm illustration of how racehorse ownership in Ireland can bring people together, creating a sense of community that stretches far beyond the parade ring. Formed by friends with a shared love of the sport and a desire to experience the sport from the inside, the syndicate has built its journey on openness, camaraderie and genuine care. That spirit is reflected in the story of their rising star, Con’s Roc, a horse whose name carries a tribute to the late husband of his former owner, and whose progress has been followed with pride by all involved. Throughout the journey, Con’s Roc has united the group in moments of joy, connection and quiet fulfilment. In many ways, his story mirrors their own, one shaped by shared effort, mutual support and the belief that memorable days at the races should be within everyone’s reach.
John Allen shares the story behind the Near Or Never Syndicate.
Where did the interest in horse racing come from?
I am a farrier by trade, I've worked with horses all my life and the interest started back in the 80's. I was involved in a Racing Club back in the 90's called the Twenty First Racing Club, which turned into the Undecided Syndicate and eventually became the Near Or Never Syndicate, we were hoping for a change of luck with a change of name with the syndicate!
How did the syndicate form?
A lot of us don't own a lot of land and we all have different occupations; there was no way we could own a horse outright ourselves. The easiest way to get into it was through forming a syndicate. This group of members got together about seven years ago, there are thirteen of us involved and all are friends or friends of friends, we are all in the same boat and all get on well together, there's farmers, shop keepers, ex guards and publicans involved! People have dropped out, and others have come in over the years, word of mouth brings people into syndicates and a little bit of luck too!
How did you purchase Con's Roc?
We picked him up as a four-year-old, he was at the sales as a three-year-old and went unsold. Eoin O'Brien the amateur jockey recommended him to us that he was out there to be sold. We had seen a couple of horses, but we liked this fella. We bought him off a German lady, and her husband had sadly passed away a few months previously. We bought him directly through her, and we wanted to honour her husband and continue his legacy through the horse, and we asked her if we could name the horse after him. His name was Con and we called the horse Con's Roc in his memory. She has even been involved throughout the horse’s journey, she comes racing, and Tommy keeps in contact with her and lets her know how the horse is and any future plans we have.
He's won plenty of races for you so far, you must be delighted?
He's a huge horse, well over 17hh, he was very big and backward when we bought him and needed plenty of time, which we gave him. We ran him in Ballindenisk in December 2022, and he was 2nd, he had a couple of problems, and we needed to give him time. He didn't run then again until he was a 6-year-old, we bought him to Knockanard in the middle of February 14 months later and he won by about 15 lengths doing handstands. He went to Ballyknock and came home alone in a winner of one race against four other rivals. He was a horse that needed plenty of time between his races, and we wanted to target the Limerick Christmas meeting last year, there was a maiden Hunter Chase on the card which he won nicely and gave us a late Christmas present which happened to be our first winner on the track! My nephew Darragh Allen rides him and it’s great to have him involved on the journey.
What are the future plans for Con's Roc?
Unfortunately he wasn't qualified for the Foxhunter's at Cheltenham Festival last year, however he is now after winning a second Hunter's Chase at Fairyhouse last Friday. It would be a dream for the syndicate if he were to run there. I doubt I would be getting any sleep if he were to get there!
How did you choose Terence as your trainer for Con's Roc?
Terence trained for plenty of locals around our area and they found him very honest and very straight to deal with, my nephew rides out there too and he said the very same. He's a lovely man, he's like us, hungry for winners! He's not very far away either, so it makes it easy for us to go down and see the horse whenever we want. Terence has an open-door policy, any day we want to go down to see him work and school we would always be welcome.
Would the members plan day's out at the yard and social events outside of racing?
We would try and get down there whenever we can, half of the syndicate got down in the middle of October one Saturday morning to see him on the gallops. A lot of the lads are farmers which makes it difficult for them to get down in the mornings. But it was great to get down and see him work, and chat with Terence over breakfast about future plans. Every six weeks we would plan an evening out with the members, we would change the venue each week and we would have a few drinks, chat and discuss plans and anything else that might be going on. There's a good social element to it outside of just attending the races. That's what it's all about. You can't get that over the phone, it's nice to have that connection with people and something to look forward to.
What was it like having a winner at Fairyhouse last Friday?
The weather caused a bit of havoc, a good few of us made the journey up regardless and thankfully the chase course passed the inspection, and we were going to get a run. We were worried as the next Hunter's Chase is at Christmas! There was great excitement when he won. There is just no other feeling, especially when we have been patient with him makes it a bit more special. The way he does it, he makes it look easy. It's a great buzz, it's like winning the lottery!
What was the buzz like in the syndicate after?
We were all jumping and bucking around so we were, all the bad days go out the window. Like we've had bad days don't get me wrong, our faces would be as long! Having a winner like that shortens the road, and as one man says when you have a horse like that it will shorten the winter.
What is it like being involved in a syndicate as a member?
There is great camaraderie, it doesn't always go the way you hope it will. But when the horse wins everyone comes together, it's just unreal. It's like a tingling feeling through your body, with excitement and all you want to do is share it with everybody. It's a dream come true, to think we have a chance of going to Cheltenham with a live contender with a horse that is entitled to be there is magic.
What would you say your Ownership journey has given you so far?
Satisfaction so far definitely, after 30 years of involvement. Stick with it, there's disappointment at times, but it if you stick with it, it's all worthwhile in the end. There's no better feeling, it's a dream come true, without winning the lottery! But to us, that horse is the lottery.
Do you think your ownership journey has got friends and family interested in the sport?
Oh big time, I’ve a sister in America and she follows it now all the time, she does be watching it on the computer whenever she can! Even outside of the syndicate it extends out into the community, it brings family and friends and people that know nothing about the horse together. It creates its own community, even people that haven't a notion about horses are excited for us and are happy to see local's doing well. Were just normal people, there's nothing fancy about us, it's like the old days bringing excitement into the world, as Johnny Ward said seeing grown men jumping around the place with excitement, there's nothing else like it.
Do you think you have met new people and formed new friendships through ownership?
Oh without a doubt, in all walks and they are genuine. Even when things don't go right, they are there for you, you don't come across any begrudging, and they are only delighted to see you get a winner. Even there at Fairyhouse on Friday, I am due to get a knee replacement in a few days’ time, so I watched it inside and I was sat between two men that I didn't know when I was watching the race, they were so excited for me when I told them I was part of the syndicate that owned the horse, they were just delighted for me.
What would you say to someone who wants to get involved in a syndicate?
Go into it with your eyes open, there's good days and bad days. If you know going into it that you’re not going to make money and you’re getting involved for the craic, the nights out and the social side of it you won't be disappointed. The race days and the winners are the bonuses; a lot of stuff goes on behind the scenes that people don't know about and it's great to be involved in that.
If you're interested in exploring racehorse ownership opportunities and discovering the stories behind the sport, contact us on [email protected] to find out how to get involved.
Menu
