CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Have you ever wanted to cheer on your own horse in The Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer?
Well, Anthony and Amy MacDonald might be able to give you that opportunity without the full cost of owning the animal.
The co-founders of TheStable.ca, a fractional ownership company based in Guelph, Ont., are offering 15 shares in Lincoln James for purchase through a draw. The other 85 shares are already owned by clients of the company.
“We wanted someone from P.E.I. to understand and realize, not just what the Gold Cup and Saucer is about, but what the Gold Cup and Saucer is about for an owner,” said Anthony. “That is something that is really rare, to be able to buy one per cent of a horse that literally, on paper, looks like he is good enough to be at least first or second in the Gold Cup and Saucer, but (also) give somebody the thrill of their lifetime that they otherwise never would be able to have.”
Anthony said the idea came up earlier this week when he noticed the company’s top horses were racing Thursday, Friday and Saturday and would likely not be racing again for the next seven days. The break in the schedule provided the family a chance to come home for Old Home Week.
And he wanted a chance to win the prestigious race for the first time.
So Anthony, who is the son of The Guardian sports columnist Fred (Fiddler) MacDonald, said he called Mark Weaver, a top owner in North America, and asked if he was sending horses to P.E.I. When he found out he wasn’t, he asked what he might have available for sale.
“I need a horse that can win the Gold Cup,” Anthony said.
He then went to some of his investors and quickly had raised the $68,000US to purchase Lincoln James. Then the idea of getting local people involved and the plan of a draw was hatched.
“It’s never been done that I know of before,” Anthony said.
“I’d like to see 15 Maritimers, maybe 15 Islanders, win those shares,” Anthony added, noting it will provide a chance for people to learn more about fractional ownership.
“It gives people in the general public that otherwise would never, ever, ever be able to own a horse like this an opportunity to.”
Anthony said the business has grown steadily, going from 22 horses and 28 owners in its first year three years ago to currently having 107 horses and 481 clients from 10 countries.
Interested investors can CLICK HERE to enter to win a chance to buy a share. Each share will cost $901 Cdn plus HST.
The 15 investors will be drawn by Tuesday and must purchase their share prior to Tuesday’s official draw for the Gold Cup and Saucer.
The winner will be purchasing the share of the horse and will be responsible for the monthly bills and being licensed with Standardbred Canada.
“If they want to sell the share back to me after Old Home Week, fine. If they want to stay a member involved in Stable.ca that's perfectly fine also,” Anthony explained.
Just the facts
A look at Lincoln James who is in Trial 2 of The Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer.
Owner – The Stable, Guelph, Ont.
Trainer – Jamie Smith.
Lifetime record – 1:49.4.
Lifetime earnings – $358,051.
Lifetime wins – 38.
