How to Make Money Before Your Event
The secret isn’t doing more yourself — it’s giving every committee member a race to own, and letting a little friendly competition do the rest.
Read This Before You Start Planning
Most organizers pour their energy into the night itself. But the real money at a Night at the Races is made before a single guest arrives — on the race card. And the biggest mistake first-timers make is trying to sell that whole card themselves.
Here is the advice we give everyone, and it is the reason we want you to read this early: don’t carry it alone. Hand each person on your committee a race of their own to sell, add a little competition, and the card sells itself — without anyone burning out. Start here, then keep it going right through the night and after — this page covers the lot.
The One Rule That Changes Everything
Give every committee member their own race. It is theirs to make the best race of the night — theirs to sell, theirs to be proud of. This one decision does three things at once:
It multiplies your sellers
One person selling the whole card gets overwhelmed and sells a fraction of it. Eight people each owning one race will sell the lot — because it is a small, manageable job, not a mountain.
It spreads the load
Nobody drowns. Each member has one race to look after, so the work is light and the volunteers come back next year instead of dreading it.
It creates ownership
When it is their race, people try harder. They chase the sponsor, they hunt the prize, they get their friends to name a horse — because they want their race to shine.
What Each Member Sells on Their Race
Hand a member one race and here is everything they can turn it into. On an 8-horse race, that is one sponsor, one prize, and up to three names on every horse:
The Race Sponsor
A local business buys the race — “Miller’s Bakery 4th Race” — announced by the host as it runs. Usually $25–$50.
The Winner’s Prize
The member sources a prize for their race’s winner — very often from the same business that sponsored it, so it costs your group nothing and gives the sponsor extra thanks.
Horse Owners
Sell an “owner” for each of the 8 horses. Families name one after a child, businesses after the shop, teams after the coach. Everyone wants a horse in the race.
Jockeys
A second name on each horse — the jockey. An easy add-on sale once someone has already bought the owner, and another few dollars per horse.
Stable Lad or Lass (stretch)
If your crowd is keen, a third name on each horse. This one is a stretch — seasoned event runners love it, but a first-timer can happily leave it out and still do brilliantly.
The Math on a Single Race
Put numbers on it and the point makes itself. Here is one committee member’s race, sold well (figures are examples — set your own):
One Member, One Race
Add the stretch stable lad/lass tier (8 × $3) and it climbs to $168.
Now multiply across the committee. Eight members, eight races, roughly $144 each — that is around $1,150 banked before the doors even open, and no single person did more than look after one race. Add the stretch tier and you are closer to $1,350. On the night, the tote betting adds more on top.
Turn It Into a Friendly Competition
Here is the part that makes the whole thing run itself. As the organizer, offer a small prize for the committee member who raises the most on their race.
Suddenly you are not chasing anyone. Your members are chasing each other — hunting sponsors, selling horse names, getting their friends involved — because nobody wants to come last. You stop being the person nagging volunteers and become the one keeping score.
And it pays for itself many times over: a $50 prize that turns eight lukewarm helpers into eight motivated sellers will raise far, far more than it costs. The competition is the cheapest fundraising tool you have.
How to Set It Up
Assign the races early
Split your races across the committee 4–6 weeks out, so everyone has time to sell. One race each; more only if someone wants it.
Give each a simple sell sheet
A one-pager per member: their race, what a sponsor gets, and space to log owners and jockeys as they sell. Make saying yes easy.
Run a live leaderboard
Share a running total so members can see where they stand. Nothing sells a race like watching a teammate pull ahead.
Print names as they sell
Update the race card with every owner and jockey as they come in. People want to see their name — and seeing others’ names sells the rest.
More Ways to Raise Before the Night
Your committee’s races are the engine, but a few extras pull in money — and buzz — in the run-up.
The Double Card
A grid game you sell in advance (it comes free in your kit). 56 squares at $1 each: your group keeps $20, the winner takes $36. It raises money before the night and pre-sells attendance because everyone wants to see their square come in. Run a second card if the first fills fast.
Early-Bird Tickets
Sell tickets ahead of time rather than on the door. It locks in cash flow and numbers, and tells you how big to plan — far better than hoping people turn up.
Programme Adverts
Sell advert space on the race card and back page to local businesses at $50–$100 each. It costs you nothing but ink, and every guest holds it all night.
Headline Event Sponsor
Offer one business the whole night — name on the card, a banner up, a thank-you from the host. A single headline sponsor can add $250–$500 on its own.
On the Night: Keep the Money Coming
Once everyone’s in the room, the earning doesn’t stop. Stack a few of these through the evening and watch the total climb.
Tote Betting (your engine)
The heart of the night: guests bet play money on each race and your group keeps a slice of every pool. Simple, legal, and it runs all evening.
Sell the Horses
After the tote closes on a race, the host sells that race’s 8 horses to the room for $1–$2 each. The winning horse’s buyer takes a share, the rest goes to your cause. Sell all eight and it’s almost pure profit — every race.
Winner from Loser
Losing punters write their name on the back of their slip and drop it in a box. Before the final race, draw 8 names — each gets a horse in that race, and the winner takes a prize. It keeps everyone in it to the very last race (and keeps used tickets off the floor).
The Horse Auction Race
Pick a race — the last works well — and auction its 8 horses to the highest bidders. Your group takes a cut of the bids, and the winning owner takes the pot. A high-energy finale that raises real money.
The Raffle Race
Sell raffle tickets for a special prize, then draw 8 and give each a horse in the next race. Whoever’s horse wins takes the prize — a cheap, easy way to fold a raffle into the racing.
Raffle & Tombola
The reliable old earner. Run a raffle or tombola alongside the racing and promote it between races when you have the room’s attention.
Bar & Concessions
Food and drink run all night. A busy bar and a snack table are steady, dependable income — and they keep guests in the room and spending.
50/50 Raffle
Sell tickets all evening; the winner splits the pot with your cause, drawn after the final race. Almost no setup, and it builds as the night goes on.
After the Event: Don’t Leave Money on the Table
The night’s over, but a little follow-up turns a good result into a great one — and sets up an even bigger night next time.
Lock In Next Year’s Sponsors
While they’re still glowing from tonight, ask this year’s sponsors to commit for next year. It’s the easiest sponsorship you’ll ever sell — and it takes the pressure off your next event before it even starts.
Sell the Photos
Share and sell prints or downloads from the night. People love pictures of their table, their group, and their winning horse — a small, feel-good extra.
The “Missed It” Appeal
A short thank-you message with the total raised and a donate button, sent to supporters who couldn’t make it. Many will chip in when they see what the night was for.
The Final Tally Push
Announce how close you are to your target and invite a last top-up. People love to be the ones who push you over the line.
Make It Annual
Your kit is bought and paid for, so next year is almost pure profit. Book the date while the buzz is high and let it become the event people look forward to.
Thank Everyone (with a gentle ask)
Public thanks to sponsors and volunteers keeps them coming back — which makes next year’s selling half the work. Recognition is fundraising too.
Choose Your Night at the Races Package
All packages include unlimited use for current and future fundraising events
Starter Package
Great for a smaller group or first event
- ✓ 6 Exciting Horse Races
- ✓ Complete Race Ticketing System
- ✓ Revenue Maximization Guide
- ✓ Planning Timeline
- ✓ Unlimited Reuse Rights
- ✓ Instant Download
- ✓ 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
Complete Package
For an event with a confident host of its own
- ✓ 8 Horse Races (+ Spare Final Race)
- ✓ Complete Race Ticketing System
- ✓ Revenue Maximization Guide
- ✓ Planning Timeline
- ✓ Run It With Your Own Host
- ✓ Unlimited Reuse Rights
- ✓ Instant Download
- ✓ 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
Premier Package
Best value with the virtual host included
- ✓ 8 Horse Races (+ Spare Final Race)
- ✓ Professional Virtual Host
- ✓ Complete Race Ticketing System
- ✓ Revenue Maximization Guide
- ✓ Planning Timeline
- ✓ No Public Speaking Required
- ✓ Unlimited Reuse Rights
- ✓ Instant Download
- ✓ 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
Every 8-race kit includes a spare alternate final race, so the organizer picks the last race on the night. The result stays unpredictable and the evening stays fair. All packages are backed by our 30-day money back guarantee with instant download delivery.
Making Money at Your Event: Frequently Asked Questions
Should one person sell the whole race card?
No — that is the single biggest mistake first-timers make. Give each committee member their own race to sell. You multiply your sellers, nobody burns out, and each person is invested in making their race the best.
What does each member sell on their race?
The race sponsor, a prize for the winner (often donated by that sponsor), and a name on every horse — owners and jockeys, plus an optional stable lad or lass if your crowd is keen. One race, well sold, is a real earner on its own.
How do we keep the committee motivated?
Offer a small prize for the member who raises the most on their race. The friendly competition does the work for you, and it raises far more than the prize ever costs.
What are the best ways to raise money on the night itself?
Tote betting is the engine, then stack extras: sell the horses at the end of each race, run a raffle or an auction race, a 50/50 draw, the bar and concessions, and a live double card. Each one adds up through the evening.
Are there ways to raise money after the event?
Yes — lock in this year’s sponsors for next year while the goodwill is fresh, sell photos from the night, and send a thank-you with a donate link for supporters who couldn’t attend. And because your kit reuses free, booking an annual event turns next year into near-pure profit.
Do we need the kit before we start selling?
Yes — your Night at the Races kit gives you the race card, the horse lists, the double card, and the sponsor materials each member sells from. Get the kit first, split the races across your committee, and go.
Start Banking Money Before Your Event
Get the kit, build your race card, and lock in profit before the doors open
