THE FOUNDER’S VIEWPOINT
It's not about being lucky
Kingmakers Founder Leighton Howl has made a habit of success as a racehorse owner and hobby syndicator. Just last season he was responsible for the selection of black type 3-year-olds Lupo Soltario and Ceolwulf. Lupo went on to beat sensational filly Orchestral in the Bonecrusher Stakes, while in the autumn, Ceolwulf took out the Epsom King Charles group one double in Sydney.
But he didn’t just get lucky. For over a decade Leighton has extensively researched, identified and bought his own shares in horses privately as a walk-in buyer at New Zealand’s Karaka Sales. He has backed his judgement and theories to develop an impressive strike rate on tracks across Australasia.
Since returning from London in 2010, Leighton has selected and invested in 30 horses as part of his own equine buying ‘apprenticeship’. From this small group of purchases and investments he has raced two individual G1 winners and another five black type winners - 23% black type winners to purchases ratio. Further, he has pin-hooked numerous horses successfully to Hong Kong and raced many older types in Sydney under the care of Joe Pride.
Leighton’s lowest priced Karaka purchase was Tomorrowland at only $8,000. This astute pick won two listed races, placed in various Group Two races and ran in New Zealand’s Group One sprints. Called Fred around the stables, he was probably one of the fastest horses ever sold by Waikato Stud - breaking the Te Rapa 1200m track record in 1.08.82. His priciest purchase was the ready-to-run two-year-old Ceolwulf bought for $170,000. Leighton’s best pin-hook (for himself and owners) was bought for $82,500 and sold 15 months later for over a million. Other Hong Kong trades were a $29k passed in yearling Green Envy, who, after winning two trials, turned into a $350,000 sale.
Now’s your chance to leverage his wealth of knowledge. From selection and purchasing to liaising with trainers, guiding owners, advising on race plans, through to managing and procuring the best suppliers, Leighton immerses himself into all aspects of each horse's development. Creating ‘luck’ for everyone involved.
Own the Experience. Register Today.
