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 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 & 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
1%. 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, Ontario.
“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.”
