There’s only one thing every racehorse owner has in common: they started as a fan. As thousands assemble for the 92nd Hambletonian, the Meadowlands Racetrack is eager to show interested fans that the path to ownership isn’t restricted to the wealthy.
“One of the great barriers to ownership is the perception that it’s for the rich,” said Jason Settlemoir, general manager and CEO of the Meadowlands. “Anthony MacDonald has been gaining some real steam in with an innovative ownership concept, so we thought we’d allow him to share his experience as part of Hambletonian weekend.”
MacDonald will be on hand Saturday morning to discuss his fractional ownership website, thestable.ca, with prospective owners and horsemen interested in duplicating his approach. In less than one year, MacDonald’s fledgling operation has attracted 279 clients from across the globe, many testing ownership waters for the first time.
The seminar will take place in The Gallery on the second floor of the Meadowlands Grandstand 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. The seminar is free to attend.
“In all honesty, the response to our platform has been overwhelming,” said MacDonald. “My wife and I started thestable.ca to sell percentages of horses. What we quickly discovered is that we’re selling an experience and when packaged right, there’s no end of consumers. We’re equal parts social network, investment, family farm and sport of kings.”
Thestable.ca markets horses of all ages, but mostly yearlings, to clients in increments as low as one per cent. Owners receive weekly video updates on their horses and stay connected through social networks and training events at The Stable’s base of operations in Campbellville, Ont.
“The lifeblood of the industry is owners. No owners, no horses. No horses, no anything,” said MacDonald. “We make ownership fun, accessible and stress-free. We didn’t start thestable.ca to be a revolutionary change agent, but we’re seeing its potential – and not just for our operation. For trainers that want to understand our recipe, we’re happy to share.”
The Meadowlands will host an interactive conversation with MacDonald at the gallery on the second floor of the new Meadowlands. Former Trot Magazine editor and racetrack executive Chris Roberts will moderate the discussion and take questions from the audience. The seminar is open to both prospective owners and horsemen.
“You can’t argue with Anthony’s early results,” added Settlemoir. “Anyone that can create hundreds of new owners inside of a year is doing something innovative. And, the Meadowlands supports any initiative that grows our fan base or generates new interest from the general public.”
(Meadowlands Racetrack)