For those who can’t attend The Stable’s Open House this Saturday, December 10, the commentators on the live broadcast of the event will do their best to inform (and entertain) the video streaming audience.
Guest Commentators Bill O’Donnell and Fred MacDonald will guide viewers through the 44 horses slated to be showcased on the track at the Tomiko Training Centre, starting at 10:45 a.m. EST on The Stable.ca's Facebook page.
Mark McKelvie of the Woodbine Entertainment Group will conduct interviews following each set of yearlings.
'The Magic Man' Bill O'Donnell is one of harness racing’s most prolific drivers with 5,743 winners and earnings of more than $99 million. He’s a member of both the Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame and the U.S. Hall of Fame at Goshen, N.Y.
Fred MacDonald is a PEI native and CBC host of Fiddler's Facts.
“We need hosts that can keep an audience’s attention over the entire three-hour broadcast,” explained The Stable’s Anthony MacDonald. “O’Donnell has more stories than Warner Bros. And Freddie, who is my father, talks more, faster and with more colour than anyone I know. So, dialogue shouldn't be an issue. Tune-in for the humour alone.”
The Open House & Horse Sale will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (with the broadcast scheduled for 10:45 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.). The event is an opportunity to see the fractional ownership operation up-close and personal.
“The message from The Stable is simple: if our industry is to grow in a substantial way, we have be serious about how we will do that,” said MacDonald. “Fractional ownership, done in this manner, will change the face of horse racing forever and you will get a real glimpse of how during Saturday’s Open House.”
The event is free but an RSVP is required and a non-perishable food item for the Guelph Food Bank is appreciated. All ages are welcome. Complimentary hot drinks and food will be available.
There are currently 61 horses and 164 active racehorse owners in The Stable.
During the Open House & Horse Sale, guests are invited to meet the horses and chat with the Anthony & Amy MacDonald, and meet other racehorse owners in The Stable and industry professionals.
The Stable.ca is inviting other trainers to participate in the event, at no cost. “It’s an opportunity for trainers to showcase a horse or two of their own that they’re selling shares of,” said Anthony MacDonald. “They’ll have a different audience than usual, and the chance to network with people who are looking to get into the game.”
A catalogue will be available on The Stable.ca's website today (Dec. 9) detailing all horses for which shares are available for purchase. The catalogue will include a schedule of when each horse will be showcased on the broadcast during the Open House & Horse Sale.
Complete event details and the RSVP form are available here.
On Thursday night, MacDonald was a featured guest on Sportsnet's Prime Time Sports. That interview is available below.
(with files from The Stable)