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Run For Fun Stables offers a shot at the winner’s circle Horse racing is called the sport of kings, but you don’t have to pay a king’s ransom to get involved. With a little fun money, even a blue collar worker can own a piece of the action By: Kevin Steel Have you ever dreamed of owning your own sports franchise? For most of us, we'd probably have to win the lottery…a few times. And what are the odds of that? Don't even bother calculating; it's too depressing. But if there was a chance to live the dream, and it wasn't too expensive, would you take it? Well, it actually is possible to become a sports owner with a little bit of money, if you invest in a race horse. "I like to tell people it's something like owning a sports franchise," says Jason Pitruniak. "You get involved in the decision-making process and you get to watch the athlete develop." And when it comes time to compete? "Anyone can go and watch horse races day after day. But until you own one and watch that horse cross the finish line first…You just cannot describe that feeling. It's a sheer thrill, utter enjoyment, uncontrollable," he says. Pitruniak knows what he's talking about. He's been investing in race horses for ten years and has had his share of winners. Now he's trying to help others get that feeling as well. He operates a business called Run For Fun Stables which sets up race horse ownership syndicates in Alberta. The idea is pretty simple. There are three types of syndicates to choose from. Two require that potential investors buy in with an initial investment. The most economical entry level syndicate is the "No Buy In" variation. Investors each pay an affordable monthly sum which goes towards the upkeep and training of a thoroughbred racing horse. If the horse looks like a runner, it's off to the races in July. The owners participate in the decision over which level of racing the horse enters. You don't have to be an expert to get involved. With the syndicate centralized at Run For Fun Stables, the inexperienced can benefit from the more knowledgeable. "It's a great way to learn," Pitruniak says. "You get to go to the summer sale, and while the yearling is in training, an owner can drop in to take a look at their horse. Another benefit is that each owner gets an owner's license, which they can flash down at the race track to get in places the general public can't go. And if your horse is first past the post, you get to enter the winner's circle to have your picture taken with the horse, the jockey and the trainer." The race horse ownership syndicate isn't a new idea. "There are very few of them in Alberta and I'm not sure why," Pitruniak says. A syndicate is a good way of bringing new blood into the sport, something all horse racing organizations agree needs encouraging. The Ontario division of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society created its own New Owner Syndicate program in the summer of 2006 to foster growth in the sport. For Pitruniak-who lives in St. Albert just north of Edmonton with his wife and two young children-Run For Fun Stables is more a labour of love than anything else. The 35-year-old plumber/gasfitter is keeping his day job. The business grew out of his hobby. Over the past few years, Pitruniak had partnered on race horses with his father, who owns a farm west of Edmonton, and with his brother-in-law. Jason would take his friends to the track to watch his horses run. They saw how much fun he was having and started bugging him to let them in on the action. "I know these guys didn't have a ton of money, so I suggested we partner on one," Pitruniak says. And so Run For Fun Stables was born. Run For Fun's entry level syndicates are designed for the Average Joe who likes the idea of owning a race horse, but doesn't want to break the bank. The syndicates are also a good starting point for someone who might be researching the possibility of a larger investment in horse racing. "Making a group purchase can be more comfortable," Pitruniak says. Run For Fun's ultimate goal is to bring more people into the sport. As a complementary business, Run For Fun Stables is marketing Equiade natural dietary supplements for horses through its website. Pitruniak says this is actually a great way for him to meet people in the horse racing industry, which he loves. From the way he talks about it, it's obvious Pitruniak loves the whole horse racing industry, from start to finish. But his eye, like all fans and sports franchise owners, is on the finish line. "Before the race I feel butterflies in my stomach. I always tell myself to try and remain calm when the horse turns for home. Well, you can say that as many times as you want, and I've been doing this for ten years now. But if the horse is turning for home and I think I've got a shot, I'm yelling louder than anybody." That's what owning a piece of the action can do to you. Kevin Steel is a freelance writer living and working in Edmonton, Alberta. His work has appeared in such publications as the Western Standard, the American Spectator and the National Post. For more information regarding Run For Fun Stables, their syndicates and/or Equiade natural dietary supplements click on one of the corresponding buttons below. |