The Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association has announced the formation of their newest ownership syndicate for the 2008 New Owners Mentoring Program.
Rick Kostoff, the former Deputy Chair of TD Securities will be the new ownership group's mentor. Kostoff was part-owner of the 2006 Confederation Cup winner Armbro Deuce as well as Armbro Maneuver, Gramola, Pepi Lavec and Oaklea Odessa, just to name a few.
"We are really excited to announce that two-time O'Brien Award winner Casie Coleman is our trainer for the year," Tammy McNiven, a director of the SBOA, told Trot Insider.
"We are thrilled that she has taken time out of her busy schedule to help the industry out and help these new owners."
The structure of the program will be the same as in previous years. Nine new partners and their mentor will each contribute $4,500 in addition to the SBOA's $15,000 "forgivable" loan, totaling $60,000 for the group's first initiative into the harness racing world.
In past years, top trainers including Bob Young, Scott McEneny, Ben Wallace, Rene Laarman, Mark Steacy and Jason Libby have participated in the program.
"Of the six previous ownership groups we've done in the past, all six horses were starters," says McNiven. "It's pretty amazing."
For more information about the SBOA's mentoring program, click here.