Partnership FAQ

How often are partnerships formed?
Most partnerships are formed during the peak racing periods during the year: spring, summer and fall. New partnerships on yearlings are typically formed between August and November when the major yearling sales and auctions take place.

When you offer a horse for sale in a partnership, what time constraints are involved?
Once a horse has been bought and passed our “due diligence” screening, it generally sells very quickly. Potential participants are always advised to be prepared to commit after a review of the partnership package for the horse. Generally, partners have a few days to respond. In the case of claimers, it happens in 24 hours or less.

What are “claimers” or claiming races?
A race in which each horse entered is eligible to be purchased at a set price. Claims must be made before the race and only by licensed owners or their agents. When a horse gets claimed, it is announced and it’s new owner assumes ownership after the starter in the starting gate says “GO”, although the former owner is entitled to all purse money earned in that race.

How do potential partners find out if a horse is being offered?
The Dee Hotton Stable encourages potential partners to contact Dee Hotton about their interest. We also maintain a list of prospective partners, with notes on what type of racehorses they are interested in, such as fillies vs. colts, young horses vs. proven horses, trotter vs. pacers, stakes horse vs. raceway horse, etc. Once a horse is bought, the Dee Hotton Stable prepares promotional materials and sends out the information to prospective partners via e-mail and will often post an announcement on the website.

How can I get on the prospective partnership list?

It’s easy, just contact Dee Hotton. She will personally get in touch with you when there’s a horse available meeting your criteria.

How do you keep partners informed?
We maintain an online web site that is updated frequently and is available to anyone with an internet connection anywhere in the world. E-mails or snail mail letters to partners are sent when appropriate.

Where do the majority of your partners reside?

Most of our partners live Ohio, but anyone living in the USA is welcome!

Have your partners made money with their racing investments?
Because participants become involved in Dee Hotton Stable racing ventures for reasons other than just financial gain, the question really should be, “Have your clients received value from their racing investment?” The answer to that question is, “Yes.” Partners in Dee Hotton Stable racing ventures participate for many reasons. If “value” represents quality involvement by participants at all levels of racing, then Dee Hotton Stable partners have received it.

Do partners get to pick a partnership stable name?

If there are more than four partners on one horse then we are required to have a stable name for the partnership registered with the United States Trotting Association. This involves filling out a form with the desired stable name and listing all people associated with the horse, submitting it to the United States Trotting Association, and paying the fee to register the new stable name. A race program would then list only the stable name as the owner. However, when there are only four or less partners on one horse The United States Trotting Association does not require us to have a partnership stable name. Therefore, each owners name is listed individually as an owner in the race program.

What is a non-bill paying partnership?
Basically it’s a partnership where you invest one large lump sum of money up front that will cover all the expenses for that horse for a set period of time. Then you sit back and enjoy the races with no more bills. There will be two costs you need to be concerned with:

• the large initial investment to purchase share(s) in the partnership.
• the licensing fees for both an Ohio State Racing Commission owner’s license and the United States Trotting Association.

What is a bill paying partnership?
A partnership in which you purchase a share(s) in a horse and then are responsible to pay your part of all bills associated with the upkeep and racing of that animal. There will be three costs you need to be concerned with:

• the initial investment to purchase share(s) in the partnership.
• the licensing fees for both an Ohio State Racing Commission owner’s license and the United States Trotting Association.
• monthly expenses related to horse care (i.e., training, veterinarian, blacksmith, stall rent, shipping, paddock fees, driver fees).

How much does it cost to buy a harness horse?

It varies depending on age, breeding, and other factors, such as conformation and past performance. Most prospective owners have their trainer or someone else with knowledge of racehorses attend yearling sales with them in the fall of the year. When buying yearlings, a person needs to select a horse with as many advantages as possible in the price range you can afford. Naturally, the more money you spend the better the odds of selecting the yearling with the most potential. However, all the yearlings are young and untried so no one really knows where that next super horse may be hiding. Generally speaking, a nice yearling with no serious conformation faults and a fairly decent pedigree can be purchased in the $3,000-$10,000 range. Prices for the better yearlings can run in the $12,000-$25,000 range, with the high-sellers sometimes reaching $50,000.

Is it wise to buy a large share in one horse, or spread it around?
We always suggest diversification. It is better to participate at a smaller level on three horses than to take a larger part of one.

Where do your horses race?

Generally we race horses in Ohio at the major parimutuel racetracks and county fairs. However, we are not afraid to take a quality racehorse beyond Ohio borders.

Can I visit the horses I invest in?
Horses purchased by the Dee Hotton Stable are primarily located at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, Barn 22B, in Wooster, Ohio. The barn is always open, but most activity occurs during the morning hours. If you need directions, or a map please see our contact page.

How much will the initial investment be?

The initial investment depends on the designated amount specified in the agreement for that specific partnership. It will also be listed on the web site under “Partnership Opportunities”. Generally, the cost for 1 share or 10% of a partnership can cost anywhere between $1000 and $5000 depending on the partnership you join.

How much does it cost to train a horse with the Dee Hotton Stable?
Please contact Dee Hotton for a free-quote, and note that Dee Hotton Stable partnership rates differ from the daily rates, so be sure to ask about the partnership rates.

What are the yearly costs of owning a racehorse?
Expect yearly costs to be from $12,000-$15,000. This would include training, shoeing, shipping, stall rent, and veterinary bills. Stakes payments would be an additional expense and would vary depending on the stakes schedule you decide on for your horse. Generally speaking, expect to spend around $3500 in stakes payments and starting fees; however, certain races could be considerably more or less. Stakes payments are primarily an expense for 2-year-old and 3-year-old horses.

What are the advantages of buying yearlings instead of older proven horses?
In general, in Ohio, the “big money” is made through stakes racing when the horse is two and three years old. So, by purchasing a yearling, and developing it into a racehorse for stakes races your rewards can be greater than those attained by racing an older proven horse at a racetrack. However, the risks with yearlings are greater because their talents and abilities are unknown. They are basically untried animals that may, or may not, make it to the races.

When does a yearling’s training begin?
We usually begin in late September or early October. We believe that it requires a minimum of 120 days to get a horse broke and in condition to begin training down for speed. Of course some will take longer if they are particularly hard to break or have had very little handling prior to the beginning of the breaking process. It is advisable to look for a yearling that knows basic handling procedures in order to avoid the need for extra time to be spent in that area. We spend lots of time in the first 30 days on basic training and use a resistance free method that we have found to develop strong and willing individuals. Once broke to the jog-cart yearlings are routinely jogged on a racetrack. The second part of the training is mostly slow-speed work to develop muscle and bone. The final phase of training would be speed work and training with company. After that point they are usually ready for gate-schooling and baby races.

Can I purchase a horse that is already racing?
Yes, you can claim a horse out of a claiming race at a parimutuel racetrack. The price will vary from $3,000-$25,000, depending on the class of horses. Also, if you contact trainer Dee Hotton, she can sometimes locate an appropriate horse for you, or point you to a sale that has older proven horses consigned.

How often will a horse race in a given month?
On average, a healthy partnership horse should get into race at least two to three times a month. However, you must understand that the number of racing opportunities a month depends on certain factors:

• the health of the horse.
• the track writing a race that your horse is eligible and suitable to compete in.
• the number of horses entering the same race.

Who drives the horses in races?

Drivers are a component of the team that changes from time to time, and track to track. The choice of drivers depends on a driver’s availability and affinity for a particular horse. We strive to hire the best driver at every track where we compete. Furthermore, Dee Hotton has a parimutuel driver’s license and can step in for driving duty.

Does an owner have to provide a place to keep the horse when it is not racing?

No. The stable can arrange for the horse’s care year-round. Most owners do not have facilities of their own but should understand that their horses need to have some time off from racing, even if it is just a few weeks or month. Remember, that horses are made of flesh and blood, and are not machines. Like you, they need a vacation every once in a while.

Are the horses insured?

The Dee Hotton Stable does not insure horses for mortality, but partners may obtain their own insurance if they desire. Dee Hotton maintains a liability policy through the Ohio Harness Horsemans Association.

Why should I partner with the Dee Hotton Stable?

We believe there are numerous reasons why the Dee Hotton Stable is the right choice for you. We feel our experience, track record, communication, and commitment to honesty and integrity makes us one of the best in the business. We are very straightforward with our partners and do not get involved in selling false hopes. This is a risky venture, but one that offers fun, excitement and thrills of a lifetime to everyone. We are always available for your questions and we enjoy teaching anyone who is interested in learning about the great sport of harness racing.

Do you still have questions?

Then e-mail us and we will answer your concerns.