Anthony MacDonald and Crusin with Angus.

This is not an endorsement of the camera-shy Anthony MacDonald, aka AMac, but it is a recognition for his 2017-2018 contribution to the blossoming fractional partnership concept in harness racing. There are many fractional partnership stables out there, but AMac is pretty much the mover and shaker of the cluster.

That being said, AMac should be awarded the title Contributor of the Year for his accomplishments in promoting fractional partnerships. AMac combed most of the yearling sales and in the last two years purchased 89 young affordable horses for thestable.ca, of which, 78 have found the track so far. They have seven more slated to qualify in September 2018. In addition, thestable.ca has welcomed 500 people from 10 countries into their partnerships.

One of the neat things with thestable.ca was the drone, which followed the horses around as they jogged or trained each Saturday throughout the winter. Worldwide, owners were able to watch their horse(s) train. Furthermore, if you saw a horse you liked, or if you did not like the progress of your horse, a buy or sell transaction could be made by the click of one’s mouse. The buy/sell feature continues today.

Throughout all industries there are givers and there are takers. We have that same thing in harness racing. We desperately need “givers” in every facet of harness racing, evidenced by the plummeting numbers of USTA members and foal registrations. There are other indicators, but we all know what they are, so that will be a conversation for another time. Harness racing needs enthusiastic, team-oriented, creative, individuals who will step up to the plate and contribute relentlessly for the benefit of the sport.

If someone has a question or suggestion, they can send him an email and usually within minutes they receive a reply; although he may be on an airplane, in a jog cart, or God only knows where. Most people question if he sleeps.

AMac alone cannot save the industry. Several hundred new owners is a great start, but we need more owners…

THIS IS WHAT THE INDUSTRY NEEDS: RECRUIT NEW OWNERS VIA FRACTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, WHO WILL BECOME BIG FANS, WHO WILL RECRUIT NEW OWNERS VIA FRACTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, WHO WILL BECOME BIG FANS, WHO RECRUIT NEW OWNERS, ETC., ETC., ETC.

We salute Anthony MacDonald for doing his part and leading the charge in creating a working, successful fractional partnership group.

Harness racing is big business folks and it needs big business people to use their acumen taking bold steps to expand the ownership and fan base. Being rich and powerful does not preclude you from becoming a fractional partner. On this website, The Partnership Czar has provided a list of those partnerships who might like having you aboard. Do it now.