Damn. The media have been spoiling us of late - waxing lyrical about the joys of thoroughbred ownership and allowing syndicaters to say their prayers in peace every night as they enjoy the hype and offload the shares in their never ending list of 2005 yearlings. Meanwhile only the owners remain any the wiser about the REAL costs of supporting these gorgeous animals.

Just when I had started to relax and believe that the 6-months of hype might become 12, two things cropped up to destroy the dream.

First was the rather irritating gentleman on the plane I was on the other night who gestured to the large cardboard box I was carrying and asked if it was a piece of art.

"Of sorts," I responded (my eyes remaining focused on the passengers at the front of the plane whose speed - or lack thereof - in removing their onboard baggage from the overhead compartments was going to determine whether I would be back at my apartment by 6am ... or 7).

"An original?" he persisted.

"Photo of my horse winning last week actually," I said in an attempt to get rid of him.

He recoiled as if I had shot him. "HORSES?!" he blustered "May as well burn your money."

(I'm not entirely sure my facial expression assisted at this point).

Meanwhile, whilst those (ridiculously slow) passengers further up the plane sorted through their luggage I listened to a tirade about vet bills, horses never making it to the track, others breaking down, and trainers that never told you what was happening.

I smiled empathetically ... then opened the box and showed him the photo.

There was a moment of silence.

"It doesn't get much better than that you know," I offered helpfully. "Maybe you should try it again? Sounds like you just had a really unfortunate run of bad luck."

Meanwhile DOUG LESMERISES writing for the News Journal would also appear to be on a realist pitch given his article "So, you want to own a thoroughbred? Here's a tip: Find expendable cash and be prepared to lose it".

Whilst he (reluctantly) quotes a few enthusiastic owners/trainers he seems to rather enjoy detailing the other side of the coin as well:

"Here's what's less of a thrill. Veterinarian bills. The rate paid to your trainer, which can run from $42 to $70 a day. Injuries that keep your horse off the track, but don't stop him from eating.

Though $5,000 or $10,000 can get you a thoroughbred that knows how to run, owning a horse goes way beyond buying a horse. It can't eat the grass in your back yard or gallop up and down your driveway.

Several veteran trainers estimated that a year's upkeep on one horse - room, board, training - costs $18,000 to $25,000. That's whether the horse wins every race or trips coming out of the gate.

You can own a horse by yourself, with some pals or as part of a horse-racing syndicate that will sell you what one owner calls "the tip of the nose." Some ownership groups comprise hundreds of owners. But if you want to own, you have to be prepared for one thing, regardless of those Afleet Alex visions dancing in your head.

You have to be prepared to lose - races and money".

Despite the bucket of cold water, the writer does conclude his epic with the story of Afleet Alex and the "powerball win" that has accompanied that horse's prize money to date.

Realists beware.

For the rest of you - the full article is at the following URL.