Romy Sia, founder of Philippine organic food retailer Healthy Options, has bought 23 horses since April after researching horse racing on ChatGPT. His spending spree has included four yearlings at the Tattersalls October Sale in Newmarket, at both Book 1 and Book 2 auctions.
Sia, who founded Healthy Options in 1995 and has expanded it across Asia, had no previous involvement in horse racing. He is now buying horses to race in Britain and Australia.
From ChatGPT to the sales ring
Speaking to Tattersalls, Sia said: “I’ve always been interested in horse racing but never knew anyone who could bring me to Ascot or Epsom and so I started asking ChatGPT back in April and it’s just like falling into a rabbit hole.”
“Every time I asked a question, I got an answer. Finally I discovered I could own horses through syndication, just buying a small share and from there I didn’t stop.”
A growing string across two continents
He now has 23 horses, with 12 in Australia and 11 in Britain. At the recent sale alone he bought four, including three at Book 1 with partners, taking 50 percent or 37.5 percent shares in some.
“It’s amazing. It’s out of this world. I’ve always thought why haven’t I done this before. Everything is thanks to the good people I have met,” he said.
Trainers lined up and Epsom house bought
One of his earliest purchases, a yearling filly secured in Ireland in July, will be trained by Jamie Insole, while other horses will be shared among several trainers. Sia, who attended the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe this month, said one horse will go to George Scott, one to Karl Burke, and he has bought one for Andrew Balding, plus a share with Roger Varian.
He plans to buy more at Tattersalls and hopes to win races at Royal Ascot and Epsom, having bought a house in Epsom to be near the racing.
