Can trainers help save our sport?

As we all know, our grand sport has seen a decline in participation in practically all areas—harness racing trainers and drivers to the most important aspect of this equation—owners.

Without the monetary investment from owners, this sport has little chance of growth or, even, survival over the next few generations.

And with several of the most successful trainers and stables taking a big bite of the stakes purses available, many remaining participants are complaining “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.”

The number of horses starting races reached its peak in the mid-1980’s at over 57,000.

The decline has been so precipitous that we have seen no figures of horses starting in recent years—certainly not in the T & P Guide anymore.

I did an interview with owner Ted Hirsch probably 40 years ago and he lamented “Each year, we get new foals and now we need new fools to bet on those foals!”

Same holds true for owners…we need a lot of them…A TON OF THEM!

That’s where our trainers just might be able to step up to the plate with an “idea” that became reality a “bit” in the thoroughbred industry—PARTNERSHIPS!

We’re not talking two or three horse partnerships…we talking “hundreds of people” partnerships.

These partnerships can entice new ownership participation with the thrill of owning a trotter or pacer for just a fraction of the amount needed to buy and maintain 50% or 100% of a horse on your own.

Trainers can brag about their past successes and boast about THEIR horse being in the hands of competent professional trainer that will teach the new owner the entire process and management of the horse—you know, the day-to-day operations of that horse from feeding to taking its temperature to grooming and bathing to training to getting ready to race once-a-week or every 10 days.

Imagine a new owner having the opportunity to sit in the jog cart and taking a training spin…

Nothing like it!

If it can be successful in thoroughbred circle—where the horse might race every six weeks or eight weeks, it most certainly can succeed in harness racing with our sturdier, more docile four-legged equine athletes.

The trainer can brag about a new, affordable way of being an “insider” in our sport…and for just a tidbit of the cost of being responsible for the entire bill.

Surely, the questions about minimum investment and continuing monthly expenses will emerge, along with the question of what happens at the end of the partnership.

Terms can be yearly to beyond.

I do believe that new owners will love to see the hustle and bustle of the paddock before a race—the same amenities that “Weaver and Bruscemi” enjoy!!!

Winner’s circle pictures are a lifelong memory…we see pictures on the web every single day with captions “this was by grandfather’s horse back in 1952!”

These memories stretch generations…they are priceless.

Trainers can host “invitational” events from Bar-B-Q’s and other events and bring family and friends to live events, where applicable.

This will work in all jurisdictions where there is racing.

Many people think that having an interest in a racehorse costs a fortune and is reserved for the elite.

This will prove otherwise.

The trainer or manager would have the responsibility of buying well-bred yearlings or two-year-olds—there are plenty of them these days—and interested parties would be invited to participate with a “buy-in.”

They can pick a comfortable level of participation and multiple ownership is very much recommended…just in case your equine athlete suffers an injury—that does happen, you know.

This type of partnership alleviates the stress of 100% ownership as training, veterinary needs, and other factors are managed by the “managers!”

And they deal with the day-to-day decisions, as well.

I ran this idea by one of my “neigh”bors—conservative, as he is—and he came back and said, “Yeah, but there are risks, too!”

He’s right, there are risks. There are no guarantees in racing—no sure thing.

Many pay there way…some do not! Illness and injury are part of life…but the beauty of a partnership is to lessen that risk and enjoy the same perks as the 100% owner.

If 100 trainers can advertise for 100 owners in a new partnership on a $100,000 yearling for a $2,000 per share buy-in, you’ve got 10,000 new owners and harness racing is alive and well again.

It doesn’t have to be just a two-year-old or yearling, either.

If a $25,000 claimer looks good, who in a partnership of, say, 50, wouldn’t put up $500 to be a part owner of a racehorse that can pace in 1:52…or faster?

If it’s a “25” claimer, a winner’s circle picture is inevitable. (It might pay $10.40 or $15.60, too!)

Of course, it will take more manpower and lady power and, perhaps, put many of the competent caretakers back to work after their racetrack closed over the years.

Again, we can sit idle and let our sport wither away…or we can put some enthusiasm back in harness racing—where it belongs!

by John Berry, for Harnesslink