Owning a Standardbred racehorse can be one of the most enjoyable ways to experience harness racing. Fractional ownership makes that experience more accessible by allowing several people to share in the ownership, costs and excitement of a horse.
Instead of purchasing an entire horse, you purchase a percentage. With Donnelly Standardbreds, ownership opportunities may begin with as little as a 1% share.
Purchasing your share
Your initial cost is based on the horse’s purchase price and the percentage you choose to own.
For example, if a horse is valued at $12,000:
- A 1% share costs $120
- A 5% share costs $600
- A 10% share costs $1,200
This initial purchase gives you an ownership interest in that horse. A separate monthly fee helps cover the horse’s care, training and racing expenses.
Depending on the horse and ownership opportunity, larger ownership percentages may qualify for discounted purchase or monthly pricing. Any available discount will be explained before an owner makes a commitment.
Understanding monthly costs
Our current standard monthly rates are:
- Turnout: $20 per month for each 1% owned
- Training: $28 per month for each 1% owned
- Training and racing: $36 per month for each 1% owned
These rates provide a useful starting point, but pricing is subject to change and may vary by horse, trainer, ownership percentage and individual circumstances. The monthly fee can also change as a horse moves between turnout, training and active racing.
Owners will receive the applicable pricing and ownership terms before purchasing a share.
Sharing in the experience
Fractional ownership is about more than holding a percentage. Owners can follow the horse’s development, receive training and racing updates, attend races and experience the anticipation of race day.
When circumstances permit, owners may also have opportunities to visit the stable, meet trainers and connect with other people who enjoy the sport.
Purse earnings and sale proceeds
When a horse earns purse money, an owner’s share is distributed according to the ownership agreement after applicable trainer, driver and other authorized deductions.
If the horse is later sold, owners generally share in the net proceeds based on their ownership percentage after applicable commissions, fees and expenses.
Racehorse ownership involves financial risk. Racing success, purse earnings and future value are never guaranteed.
A more approachable way to enter the sport
Our goal is to make ownership easier to understand and more accessible without losing the personal connection that makes harness racing special.
Before purchasing a share, every prospective owner should understand the horse, trainer, anticipated expenses, any applicable ownership-level discount and the terms of the ownership agreement. We welcome questions and want owners to feel comfortable before making a commitment.