Question for all my punter friends on here...

[robfla]

1) Do you own horse racing inspired attire? If so, what type? (e.g. specific horse, track, race?) Everything from bobbleheads to t-shirts, sweat shirts, tote bags, pens, etc

2) Would you purchase such attire? If no, why not? If yes, what appeals to you and what doesn't? I used to buy hats from horsehats.com ( are they still in business? ). I don't think I'd purchase horse racing clothing unless it was related to a special event

3) If male, would your wife/significant other be interested in attire appealing to women?

Heck NO - she wears my horse tshirts at night, but would never buy for herself.

[CheekyBird]

Originally Posted by robfla

1) Do you own horse racing inspired attire? If so, what type? (e.g. specific horse, track, race?) Everything from bobbleheads to t-shirts, sweat shirts, tote bags, pens, etc

2) Would you purchase such attire? If no, why not? If yes, what appeals to you and what doesn't? I used to buy hats from horsehats.com ( are they still in business? ). I don't think I'd purchase horse racing clothing unless it was related to a special event

3) If male, would your wife/significant other be interested in attire appealing to women?

Heck NO - she wears my horse tshirts at night, but would never buy for herself.

I love your answers. I was hoping for more input from women on this board. Are there any other girls on here?

[senator L]

I use to buy from horsehats.com too and they are no longer
in business. They mostly sold hats (name of the horse, stable etc.,)
I bought some pictures of Secretariat and Seabiscut. from there too
Hoping one day to fit back into my Smarty Jones shirt I bought
I think your husband is right, it would be a tough go

[CheekyBird]

Originally Posted by senator L

I use to buy from horsehats.com too and they are no longer
in business. They mostly sold hats (name of the horse, stable etc.,)
I bought some pictures of Secretariat and Seabiscut. from there too
Hoping one day to fit back into my Smarty Jones shirt I bought
I think your husband is right, it would be a tough go

Hi Senator,

Thanks for responding. Why do you agree w/hubby that it would be tough go? He thinks horseplayers would rather gamble $45 instead of buying a hat or shirt. He says "look around the track... do some of these people look like they care what they are wearing?"

I say if marketed correctly and specifically, certain horseplayers would purchase items.

[senator L]

I guess it depends on what your marketing/selling. Is it a certain style of clothing/hats that you think are hip? Or is it like horse hats where you need a license to sell the horse merchandise - name specific?

[TheSpyder]

CB.

I think you just hit the nail on the head why it won't work, and this is from somoeone in the textile/industry.

"If marketed correctly" There in lies your problem.
I'd say you're 45 or older. In today's world getting to your customer's will only succeed on-line. And the cost to get to those customers, which are very specific, will be too costly. The first questions are how much do you have to invest, what does success look like, and what is your supply and distribution?

Originally Posted by CheekyBird

Hi Senator,

Thanks for responding. Why do you agree w/hubby that it would be tough go? He thinks horseplayers would rather gamble $45 instead of buying a hat or shirt. He says "look around the track... do some of these people look like they care what they are wearing?"

I say if marketed correctly and specifically, certain horseplayers would purchase items.

[CheekyBird]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

CB.

I think you just hit the nail on the head why it won't work, and this is from somoeone in the textile/industry.

"If marketed correctly" There in lies your problem.
I'd say you're 45 or older. In today's world getting to your customer's will only succeed on-line. And the cost to get to those customers, which are very specific, will be too costly. The first questions are how much do you have to invest, what does success look like, and what is your supply and distribution?

I'm 36
I don't have a retail background, but I have marketing degree. Hubby and I have been following horse racing since 2011. Game attire that is available on line and elsewhere skews older, and quite frankly, is uninspired.

If this idea is viable, I will sell my vintage Porsche :-( and we will dip into our savings/inheritance. I am in the process of putting together a marketing plan. Hubby is tasked with researching licenses, supply, distribution, etc.

Thank you so much for your thoughts. Very helpful.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by CheekyBird

I'm 36
I don't have a retail background, but I have marketing degree. Hubby and I have been following horse racing since 2011. Game attire that is available on line and elsewhere skews older, and quite frankly, is uninspired.

If this idea is viable, I will sell my vintage Porsche :-( and we will dip into our savings/inheritance. I am in the process of putting together a marketing plan. Hubby is tasked with researching licenses, supply, distribution, etc.

Thank you so much for your thoughts. Very helpful.

Keep the Porsche; it's a finite market

[moses]

I’d be mildly interested. My wife, not so much.

I wonder if you targeted race tracks if there is a market there, rather than direct to the buyer. I also wonder if you could build the business based on targeting buyers for major race days like the TC races and breeders cup.

Anyway, good luck!

[CheekyBird]

Originally Posted by moses

I’d be mildly interested. My wife, not so much.

I wonder if you targeted race tracks if there is a market there, rather than direct to the buyer. I also wonder if you could build the business based on targeting buyers for major race days like the TC races and breeders cup.

Anyway, good luck!

Cheers. Perhaps I'll target the larger tracks. I don't know if they have gift stores. Adding that to my research for the bricks & mortar component. Gulfstream looks like it might have a gift store (I mean... if you're going to have a "Gentleman's Club.")