In today's harness racing landscape it is well known that bringing in new fans and owners, and retaining existing owners, is paramount to the industry. As explained in an article by The Whig-Standard, trainer Mark Steacy and owner Howard Pearce are doing their part
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The article explains that Steacy and Pearce have been the key pieces in the LandMark Racing Stable, a horse ownership syndicate which has brought in and retained many owners to the standardbred racing industry.
The report tells the story of how the syndicate stable was initially modeled after the Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association's mentoring program. It also explains how the pair has parlayed the syndicate into a vehicle for attracting and retaining new owners for the sport.
"It is a way to get involved with a modest investment and experience the excitement of having their horse on the track,'' Pearce was quoted as saying.
LandMark's groups have involved people from all over the country, including Vancouver, Calgary, Quebec, New Brunswick, Ontario and New York State.
"It doesn't matter whether it's one per cent (ownership) or 50 per cent, all they know is they have a horse racing. In the winner's circle they all get equally excited," Pearce said.
According to the article, LandMark III is finishing up its second year. At the end of the year all seven of its three-year-olds, headed by Ontario Sires Stakes winner Tamarind and the filly J N Payton, which won two OSS grassroots races at Windsor Raceway and Rideau Carleton Raceway, will be sold off.
Landmark IV is beginning its first of two years of racing with a stable of eight two-year-old fillies and colts.
(With files from The Whig-Standard)