A LANDLORD and a group of regulars have all chipped in to buy their own racing horse.

Landlord Mark Daniels and 14 punters at the Brewers Arms, in Comer Road, Worcester, pooled their money to buy Destiny's Gold in December.

The group realised a lifelong ambition when they raced the horse for the first time on Monday, May 1.

Mr Daniels said: "Me and some mates and customers have a common interest in horseracing.

"It can be an expensive game but if we all clubbed together then we could afford one.

"There were four or five of us with that thought and over a few weeks we touted the idea and got more involved.

"We picked Worcestershire colours for the racing silks."

Mr Daniels, aged 46, said many of the owners went down to watch the horse's first race in Warwick on Bank Holiday Monday.

Destiny's Gold unfortunately fell on the second to last fence but both the horse and the jockey were unharmed.

The horse is trained by Dr Richard Newland, who had a Grand National winner in 2014, and is kept at his yard in Claines.

Mr Daniels said: "We gave Richard our budget and a brief and he and his team then found him [Destiny's Gold] for us."

Cllr Richard Udall, who represents the area on the city and county council, said: “I would like St John’s residents to get behind Destiny’s Gold and back it when it races again.

"We should be supporting a local horse and we need to help to make it a favourite.

"I am really proud of the work the Brewers Arms does locally, it is a truly magnificent local pub with a good community spirit.

"They have now given St John’s residents a great reason to be proud and to get behind a local horse, who knows, one day we could also be looking at a future Grand National winner!"

Destiny's Gold could compete at Worcester Racecourse on Thursday, May 11, depending on whether Dr Newland thinks the race is right for the horse.