By Jennifer Morrison

The Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario, Inc. want to bring new faces into the exciting sport of Quarter Horse racing and for 2020 there are several new and affordable opportunities to buy your own racing Quarter Horse or a share in one.

The QROOI’s First Line Racing Syndicate, in its third year, has already been very successful introducing new people to Quarter Horse ownership. The syndicate is made up of 20 shares in one horse at $2,500 per share which includes all bills. First Line’s 2019 runner, Eye Am the Eagle won four of nine starts in 2019 and is a five-time winner for the group since they bought him in 2018.

Bob Broadstock, president of the QROOI, buys and trains the horses for First Line and is expanding the syndicate this week as he is in Oklahoma City to purchase another horse at the Heritage Place Winter Mixed sale which runs Jan. 16 to 18.

“First Line is getting a second horse this week,” said Broadstock. “I am looking to sell more shares for 2020, ideally to boost it up to 30 shares.”

Broadstock says he will have a draw for a free share at the Can-Am Equine Expo in April at the Markham Fairgrounds and will keep the syndicate open until racing at Ajax begins on May 10.

Eye Am the Eagle, the second horse owned by the syndicate, was swarmed by his numerous, loving owners each time he won last year. Owners also had special events with Broadstock including plenty of meet-and-greets at the farm he owns with wife Marie.

“They never stop enjoying it,’ said Broadstock. “And because of the success of Eagle and how consistent a guy he is, we hope to attract more people.”

Check out Eye Am the Eagle’s victory on Oct. 21, 2019 to see the happy crowd in the winner’s circle, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb-Qjpea6s4

Horse Purchase Program

Broadstock and the QROOI board have also launched the Horse Purchase Program for 2020 in an effort to boost the horse population at Ajax Downs. The HPP allows for prospective buyers to lease a horse purchased by Broadstock at this week’s Heritage sale or take a $5,000 interest-free loan from the QROOI towards buying a horse at the sale.

“Right now we have 20 individually signed contracts for a loan and/or leased horse,” he said. “We have now closed the lease part of it since we are getting to close to the sale but we are keeping the loan part open. I will be able to approve loans right at the sale this weekend.”

Broadstock said of the 20 contracts he already has, about half a dozen of them are from first-time horse buyers.

“The loan was something the QROOI came up with through a committee. People have shown a lot of interest in it and have more confidence in buying a horse for Ajax Downs, noting our new stakes schedule for 2020.”

Among the new stakes for this year is the $50,000 Princess Derby, an open race for 3-year-old fillies.

The lease portion of the HPP requires the horse owner to pay back 20 percent of the horse’s earnings until they pay back the purchase price of the horse or they can buy the horse outright at any time.