Pointing People: George Cranfield

Syndicate ownership has long been a mainstay of racing under rules, and is becoming increasingly popular in the field of point-to-pointing as an affordable introduction to the sport. The ‘Three Off The Tee’ Partnership, headed by 29-year-old George Cranfield, is one such group – they own Getting Closer who, after his Milborne St Andrew victory last weekend (George is holding the trophy), has now won five of his ten starts, and been placed in his five others, including third in the Intermediate Final at Cheltenham last May. Jake Exelby talked to George about how and why he got involved with the progressive eight-year-old, known as ‘Bosco’ and what he enjoys about being part of a syndicate.

Tell me a bit about yourself.

I’m from Essex, near Hadleigh – my parents live just ten minutes from Higham racecourse. I now live in Battersea, London and work selling bonds for a Japanese bank.

I’m getting married in May – the day after the ‘John Corbet’ (the Champion Novice Hunter Chase at Stratford), which has always been the plan for Getting Closer. It’s nice for the other members of the syndicate who don’t always go pointing to have an end of season Hunter Chase as a target.

How did you get involved with point-to-pointing?

My mother Gillie has been MFH of the Essex & Suffolk Hunt for about 15 years and my father Richard is Chairman, Mum’s always been involved in running the Essex & Suffolk point-to-point and I’ve been going to places like Higham and Marks Tey from a young age. When I was at University in Bristol, I got into National Hunt racing and ran the Racing Club there – organising buses to big meetings at places like Cheltenham and stable trips, including to Paul Nicholls’ yard.

Mum and Dad took more of an interest in pointing when my sister Henrietta started riding and bought Clenagh Castle, who was trained by Rob Cundy. They then got hooked and kept buying horses – David Minton bought (useful Ladies Open horse) Back Bar from Gordon Elliott for just £1,000. Dad asked him to buy one horse but thought it was a steal, so bought The Gunner Brady as well!

Back Bar’s been a revelation and Henrietta had her first winner on him at High Easter. When you have a couple of nice horses, you get more interested so – one summer – me and a few mates raised the idea of getting a pointer ourselves. With help from Alan Hill and Minty, we clubbed together and paid £5,000 for Getting Closer – nobody else bid. I’d looked up his form in Ireland, which wasn’t very good, but I thought ‘Who am I to question David Minton?!’

There are nine of us involved with him – two of my sisters, a cousin and a few mates from university, including Toby Lane, who is the boyfriend of jockey Emily Westwood.

How did you sell the idea into your fellow owners?

As a brilliant day out, five or six times a year, and being an actual part of the competitive racing. We also spend a few days at Alan and Lawney Hill’s, watching him school and talking about plans – half of the fun is dreaming about the future, like the John Corbet!

Why the ‘Three Off The Tee’ Partnership?

It’s a self-deprecating joke about our poor golfing skills, as one of us always seems to lose a ball off the first tee! It’s based on the ‘Yes, No, Wait, Sorries’ partnership, who have horses under rules and whose name comes from cricket.

How did you select Alan Hill as your trainer?

He’s relatively nearby, which was convenient for Henrietta when she was riding. I got to know him and he encouraged me to have a horse, and he’s also near London, where a few of the syndicate live. Plus he’s a top trainer and, while pointing is fun, I’m very competitive and I wanted to maximise the chance of owning a winner – a good day out is even better when you win!

What’s been the highlight of your time as an owner?

The first day we ran him at Horseheath, where he started at 10/1 for a Restricted. Alan told us, ‘I’ve left something to work on. If he pulls up three out, I’m an idiot, but if he wins, he’s a hero!” Charlie Marshall rode that day (sister Izzie has won four on him since) and, after looking outpaced three out, he stayed on and won by two lengths. I’ve never experienced celebrations like it!

After Getting Closer’s first win at Horseheath (George is next to jockey Charlie Marshall)

Do you have any plans for future ownership?

I absolutely intend to have another go at some point – maybe in a year or so’s time – and I’ve got a few other mates who’d be interested. It’s such fun, and it helps having a competitive horse. As well as Cheltenham, he’s taken us to places as far afield as Fakenham and Wadebridge.

Getting Closer (cheekpieces) in action at Cheltenham

The enclosure at Cheltenham after Getting Closer’s third

What, for you, are the benefits of syndicate ownership?

It’s a cost-efficient way to get involved and to get close to the trainer and jockey, as well as the horse – I know plenty more people now. It means pointing has become more than just a nice day out – it has that competitive element too. And it’s great to be involved before the season starts, with all the updates and watching the horse working and schooling.

Bosco working on Alan Hill’s gallops

Are there any downsides compared to owning outright?

Not really. Maybe you’re less in control, but we’d always listen to what Alan says anyway – he’s the expert, although he’s always happy to accommodate our plans.

What do you enjoy most about pointing?

I love the build-up to the day’s racing when ‘Bosco’ is running – going through the form, talking about where we think we’ll finish, looking at the odds, having a punt, chatting to Alan and Izzie, then bricking it for six minutes! Afterwards, hopefully celebrating and – win, lose or draw – planning the next race.

George (in puffa jacket) with Bosco and syndicate members

There’s more pressure when you’re fancied to win than when you’re an outsider. When Getting Closer was second favourite to Kaproyale at Horseheath last time out but one, we thought we might win but didn’t feel any pressure (he finished second). The time before at Charing, he was two-to-one on, and it would have ruined my day if he’d lost. (He didn’t!)

How would you compare it to rules racing?

I think rules racing could learn some things from pointing, which is a lot more fun. National Hunt horse numbers seem to be going down, whereas pointing’s ferociously competitive. And you can get much more involved with your horse.

What would you say to anyone thinking of getting involved in syndicate ownership?

Definitely go for it. The first person to speak to is a local trainer, who’ll guide you through the process. Once you get the hang of the admin, it isn’t a chore and you can use your trainer for advice – not just the admin, but budgeting and helping you find a horse.