NEED MORE INFORMATION?
Our program may be the right one for you if any one of the following aspects appeals to you (A) You are looking to participate in a group that finds value in the membership - all members of OAS2021 are members of OAS2022 (B) You are looking for a reasonable entry point without monthly bills for the first year (C) You are looking for frequent communication about your horses via email, social media and this website where pages are dedicated to each horse including photographs and videos (D) You are looking to participate in a group that will search for yearlings outside of those available in Ontario (most recently Harrisburg Black Book sale)
STANDARDBRED CANADA PARTICIPANT INTERVIEW
In October 2017, STANDARDBRED CANADA interviewed 30 drivers and trainers in the industry and asked them, "What advice would you offer to someone interested in becoming a racehorse owner?" In reviewing the answers, these were the recurrIng themes :
CHOOSE A TRAINER YOU CAN TRUSTFind someone who is honest, has integrity, a proven track record, that you are comfortable with, who you feel may be the right person for you and ask them questions - speak with more than one trainer and find the best match for you.
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BE PATIENTLike people or dogs, horses need to learn what you are asking of them and this takes time - with a yearling, it will be eight months before they may be ready to qualify to race - if the first couple of starts do not work out, don't panic as there should be more to come.
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PARTNER WITH OTHERSPartnering provides for a cost effective experience and reduces the risk - consider partnering with a trainer who also owns part of the horse so you know he is working hard for your interest as he in his own.
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Some of the other good advice shared by the group including :
- Do Your Research - ask questions, there are only good questions when it comes to horse racing - watch the races - educate yourself - know all the expenses you will incur at all stages of the ownership experience as there are differences
- Start Out Small - never invest more than you can afford to lose (advice you also hear from a stockbroker) - start with one horse or fractional shares in a small quantity to start
- Be Realistic - remember the animals are training to be athletes, some will be elite, some competitive while others will not have the will, drive or strength to live up to expectations - along the way there will be ups and there will be downs to be prepared for
- Have Fun - whatever motivates you to become a new owner, the experience will be a lesson and can be a whole bunch of fun and exciting
GENERAL QUESTIONS - OWNASTANDARDBRED
WHAT IS THE COST?
Units are available for $500 each with an initial minimum investment of $2,500.
WHAT DO I RECEIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR MY CONTRIBUTION?
There a several quantitative and qualitative answers to this question. Let's begin:
WILL I RECEIVE A MONTHLY BILL?
As noted above, the intention is to obtain initial funding to cover all costs until December of the 2 year old year of the horses. A monthly account of the purses won and costs incurred that month and year to date are maintained and available upon request. We want to provide complete transparency and updated information.
WHAT IF FUNDS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO COVER ALL COSTS TO THE END OF THE NEXT CALENDAR YEAR?
A budget has been established with a variety of scenarios as they related to the number of yearlings, racehorses and percentage ownership. The funding pool will be reviewed to determine what combination of purchase price, number of horses and percentage of ownership would likely achieve this goal. The budget is very conservative, however, if there is a need for additional funding, it will be communicated to the group well in advance. This will be readily apparent on a monthly basis as a full accounting of the funds available will be provided to the group.
Units are available for $500 each with an initial minimum investment of $2,500.
WHAT DO I RECEIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR MY CONTRIBUTION?
There a several quantitative and qualitative answers to this question. Let's begin:
- Your initial contribution will be pooled with that of other unit holders.
- The model of this fractional ownership group was designed such that funds would be used to acquire an ownership interest in 3-5 yearlings. The number of horses we obtain and the percentage of each the group will own depends on the funds contributed.
- Funding is expected to be in place October 1st prior to the first yearling sale in Ontario
- The model was also structured to cover the monthly training costs for all horses in the group until the end of their 2 year old year. If required, a quarterly instalment would be requested to fund the training of the horses should the initial pool of funds be expended. To date, there have not been any funding requests for OAS2020, 2021 or 2022.
- Reular feedback will be communicated via email, social media and this website to unitholders. Each horse will be provided their own page where you can view all pertinent information, photographs etc. and follow the history of their career all on one page.
- The intent is to coordinate group social events in the form of farm visits, nights at the track and other special events for those who enjoy the social aspect of a group and / or would like to learn more about the horse, industry and one another.
WILL I RECEIVE A MONTHLY BILL?
As noted above, the intention is to obtain initial funding to cover all costs until December of the 2 year old year of the horses. A monthly account of the purses won and costs incurred that month and year to date are maintained and available upon request. We want to provide complete transparency and updated information.
WHAT IF FUNDS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO COVER ALL COSTS TO THE END OF THE NEXT CALENDAR YEAR?
A budget has been established with a variety of scenarios as they related to the number of yearlings, racehorses and percentage ownership. The funding pool will be reviewed to determine what combination of purchase price, number of horses and percentage of ownership would likely achieve this goal. The budget is very conservative, however, if there is a need for additional funding, it will be communicated to the group well in advance. This will be readily apparent on a monthly basis as a full accounting of the funds available will be provided to the group.
WHERE WILL MY HORSES RACE?
Horse will be raced at the track that best suits the class they can be entered in.
WILL THE HORSES BE PAID INTO STAKE RACES?
Yes. The yearlings are all paid into the Ontario Sires Stakes program. If the horses show potential or the right breeding / conformation they will be paid into the stake races for their age. There are several late closing stake races in the fall at several tracks and if the horses fit those conditions they will be entered into those as well. All stake fees are included in the model and are not additional costs during the first year as provided in the model.
DOES THE TRAINER OWN ANY INTERESTS IN THE HORSES HE TRAINS?
Yes.
WILL OUR HORSES EVER BE ENTERED TO RACE IN CLAIMING RACES?
As horses begin their career, it is easy to find an overnight class for them as they race in the "Non Winners of $5,000 Lifetime" as an example which is considered the condition for the race.
As the horses earn purse money, they "move up in class" eg. they may race in non winners of $10,000 . This helps to normalize the horses racing as those entered must fit the classes.
To add a little complication to the process, there are allowances determined by age. For example, a two year old will be allowed a higher threshold of lifetime earnings than a three year old. Again, this helps to normalize the field as the three year olds are more mature and perhaps more experienced.
When it becomes difficult for the horses to be competitive in these overnight classes they enter the claiming ranks which also start with conditions.
These decisions are made in the best interest of the horses physical and mental health. If a horse continues to finish last, and is otherwise healthy, the change in races entered may be the answer.
IF A HORSE IS CLAIMED, WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE PROCEEDS AND WILL ANOTHER HORSE BE PURCHASED?
In a fair and equitable way, if the majority of the unit holders wish to disperse the claim proceeds we can certainly do that provided the pool of funds will not require an advance. It is not expected that a horse will be purchased to replace a claimed horse.
WHAT IF I WANT TO SELL MY INTEREST?
If there becomes a need to liquidate your holdings, you may sell to another member or an external individual at a price agreed upon by yourself and that individual. We will assist in facilitating the transfer in any way we can within reason.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COSTS I NEED TO BE AWARE OF?
There are annual licensing fees that all owners must pay in any fractional ownership group.
STANDARDBRED CANADA
New members fees are $93 + HST.
Annual renewals are $73 + HST.
Fractional Membership is $45 + HST (when entering into the industry in a stable includes at least 8 members - membership is for 2 years)
Memberships include an annual subscription to TROT magazine and member rate for TrackIt services.
AGCO (Alcohol Gaming Corporation of Ontario)
New Applicant Fee - $20 + HST.
Annual Owner - $100 + HST.
There are annual licensing fees that all owners must pay in any fractional ownership group.
STANDARDBRED CANADA
New members fees are $93 + HST.
Annual renewals are $73 + HST.
Fractional Membership is $45 + HST (when entering into the industry in a stable includes at least 8 members - membership is for 2 years)
Memberships include an annual subscription to TROT magazine and member rate for TrackIt services.
AGCO (Alcohol Gaming Corporation of Ontario)
New Applicant Fee - $20 + HST.
Annual Owner - $100 + HST.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP?
STANDARDBRED CANADA is an incorporated non-profit organization whose mandate is to supervise, record, store and distribute information on all registered Standardbreds and to promote harness racing in Canada and beyond.
Standardbred Canada has an excellent publication called The Ultimate Guide For the Prospective Standardbred Horse Owner that provides "basic advice and information for new horse owners or anyone contemplating purchasing a harness horse"
Standardbred Canada has an excellent publication called The Ultimate Guide For the Prospective Standardbred Horse Owner that provides "basic advice and information for new horse owners or anyone contemplating purchasing a harness horse"