Anthony MacDonald, the founder of 'The Stable,' is reporting a successful trip to the Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg, Pa.

After visiting with breeders and buyers at last week's sale, MacDonald said the site, which he calls "a stock market for yearlings," now boasts 20 horses, multiple investors and plenty of interest from both inside and outside the industry. Notable participants include Jeff Gural, owner of Allerage Farms, and Tom Grossman, owner of Blue Chip Farms.

The idea for the site is simple, said MacDonald: Offer owners a place to sell their yearlings at fair market prices, while simultaneously giving investors the most informed way to purchase those yearlings by offering weekly updates, videos, and commentary. Investors can buy as much or as little of any horse they chose, no strings attached. And the flat-rate billing system makes it easy to buy a horse, while the openness of thestable.ca makes is easy to be involved. MacDonald said that they have sold all of two horses, and have sold several shares on other horses in the stable.

Despite its early success, some are still reluctant to try the new business model.

"Someone asked about buying a horse on thestable.ca and said they would start small because the idea wasn't proven," said MacDonald. "I said, 'neither was the first boat until they put it in the water.'

"This idea is quite sound. thestable.ca has been in the water for six weeks and floats just fine."

(The Stable)