Standardbred Canada and the Ontario Sires Stakes partnered for the third consecutive year on the ‘Win A Share in a Racehorse’ contest. Ten contest finalists will be drawn to participate in an on-track showdown on October 5 during the OSS Grassroots Championship night at Woodbine Mohawk Park to determine the ‘Win a Share’ champion.

One OSS Grassroots Championship race will be selected and the 10 finalists will each be paired with one of the starters. The finalist paired with the winning horse will win the “Win A Share” contest and the share in Landmark 13 Stable (valued at $2,000) just in time to go horse shopping at the 2019 edition of the London Selected Yearling Sale on October 19 and 20.

In advance of announcing the contest finalists, SC spoke to one of the co-founders of LandMark Racing, Howard Pearce.

As many harness racing participants know, the thrill of winning in this industry is second to none. But in order to experience that thrill, one must have a connection to the horse. Howard Pearce has brought this connection to new and rejuvenated harness racing fans alike through the fractional ownership venture, LandMark Racing, founded in 2006 with longtime friend and Standardbred trainer, Mark Steacy.

“While working full-time at Queen’s University (in Kingston, Ontario) I began attending races at Kingston Park Raceway in 1982,” reflects Pearce, “it was soon after that when I ventured into ownership with Mark.”

In 2006, the Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association (SBOA) offered a ‘new ownership’ program where both Howard and Mark were involved. At the completion of that initial program, LandMark was born.

LandMark prides itself on being a unique opportunity to become an active Standardbred owner. It is economically friendly and administered easily for anyone to become involved. In the twelve years of operation there have been several hundred individuals involved with the twelve ownership groups, with group number thirteen currently forming.

As Howard points out, “LandMark groups never own 100 percent of a horse. Typically, the LandMark group gets in on four or five yearlings each year. Our main pitch is that by buying a share or shares with LandMark you will instantly own multiple horses and be able to watch multiple races,” adding, “we also make it very clear that our shareholders never get a bill - our model is very unique in that way.”

“The number of shares each year is about 100, with some people buying one share and others purchasing multiple shares. This year we are hoping to attract between 120-150 buyers but we don’t have an advertising budget so we have to rely on stories being shared on websites, in magazines and by word of mouth,” says Pearce. “We are lucky to have organizations like Standardbred Canada, the Ontario Sires Stakes, Ontario Racing, and Woodbine Mohawk Park to help with promoting our experience.”

LandMark racing is not just an opportunity Howard sells to other people, as he is also an active shareholder as well. “Every year I buy at least two shares in each new group,” he says.

When it comes to LandMark’s success, both on and off the track, Howard highlights three important elements that contribute: a winning horse, communication and an opportunity to see the horse. “Having a winning horse does wonders for keeping everyone engaged and communication is essential. Members love my emails and our Facebook page. Our members also love to visit their horses. Many members visit Mark’s barns in Lansdowne and at First Line (Training Center).”

Through the twelve years of fractional ownership with LandMark 8, one of the stable’s most succesful horses was the trotting sensation Harper Blue Chip, a winner of almost $950,000. The ownership group of Harper Blue Chip had the chance to live every horseperson’s dream. He was a starter for multiple high profiled stakes engagements including the Hambletonian where he finished an impressive third. His resume boasts wins in several Ontario Sires Stakes Gold events, the Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final, and the Canadian Breeders Final. To top it all off, Harper Blue Chip and his connections walked away with the O’Brien award for Three-Year-Old Trotting Colts/Geldings in 2014.

“The following LandMark had for Harper Blue Chip was our biggest ever. I wish we could get one like him every year. There has been no thrill like seeing him in the Hambo or when 56 people were in the winner’s circle when he won the OSS Super Final,” recalls Pearce.

So, what does LandMark have in 2019? Landmark 10 is racing four-year-old pacing mare, Hello Love, who races in the top condition events at Woodbine Mohawk Park and has made over $50,000 to date.

Landmark 11 raced In The Will, Love For Life and Parlay Seelster. LandMark 12 is racing the following two-year-olds: Bellini Seelster, Cute Accountant, Moana and Remember Titans.

“Obviously I am a little biased, but fractional ownership is a great way for someone to be introduced to the wonderful world of horse ownership,” believes Pearce. “Fractional ownership is the future for harness racing success.”