Have you ever dreamed of owning your own sports franchise?

By: Scott Wells
President & General Manager
Remington Park and Lone Star Park

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own sports franchise?  You probably think you’d have to be a billionaire, right?  Or at least a multimillionaire.  Not necessarily.  What about the guys who bought an $8,000 mare and spent $2,000 to breed her to an obscure stallion?  Yep, that colt turned out to be California Chrome, this year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner who, if he never wins another race (and he most assuredly will), is probably worth $10-$20 million dollars—maybe much more.  Because California Chrome is a star in one of the world’s oldest professional sports—Horse racing.  And if you own one racehorse or a hundred, your “franchise” just might be able to win “The Big One,” whether that’s the Kentucky Derby, the Oklahoma Derby or even just a beginner’s race at Remington Park.  Believe me, the first time your horse wins any race and you see him coming down the stretch, the jockey dressed in the silks you designed, you’ll feel that same incredible rush of pride and excitement that the owners of California Chrome felt or that the owner of any other sports franchise feels when his or her team wins a championship.

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            That’s one of the reasons that many team owners of the “Big Four” professional sports (Football, baseball, basketball and hockey) also own racehorses.  The excitement is unsurpassed.  And, you can bet on your own horse and not have to give points!  At one time, the owners of the Buffalo Bills, the Pittsburg Steelers, the San Francisco 49ers, the San Diego Chargers, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cleveland Browns all owned a stable of racehorses, and many of them still do.  Wayne Gretzky is an experienced racehorse owner.  George Steinbrenner was an avid racehorse owner who once had a favorite for the Kentucky Derby and said he’d rather have that win than another World Series victory.  These days his ex-coach, Joe Torre, is part owner of some world-class runners.  As is basketball coach Rick Pitino.  Legendary golfer Gary Player, a longtime racehorse breeder, said he’d rather win the Kentucky Derby than any golf tournament.  And it’s not just the world’s most famous race that matters.  Oklahoma has its own set of races designed to help people enter the sport at a less-than-expensive level and this Sunday is an excellent opportunity for you to observe (or even participate in) the OKC Summer Sale at the State Fairgrounds.  About a hundred young, unproven thoroughbreds will be on display and for sale.  There’s no admission charge and even if you don’t ever own a racehorse, the sight of these beautiful, sleek animals is something you’ll never forget.

            In all likelihood, there are some future winners of high-stakes races in the group.  And there will unquestionably be some major bargains.  A filly named “Miss Natalie” sold for $10,000 and has earned $280,190 so far.  “Pure Habit” sold for a paltry $1,300 and has earned $61,060 so far.  “Big Sugar High” sold for $5,000 and has earned $89,957 and counting.

            And ladies, don’t think this is only a “Good ol’ Boys” Club.”  Some of the most prominent horse owners in the world are women, starting with Queen Elizabeth and including Penny Chenery, owner of the greatest thoroughbred ever—Secretariat.

            So if you want something to do which is out-of-the-ordinary and FREE this Sunday afternoon, the OKC Summer Sale starts officially at 2 p.m. but the colts and fillies will be on display all day.  So come out and see if you can spot a future winner of the Oklahoma Derby.  It’s like a four-legged NFL draft—and you only need one “player” to start a franchise!

OKC Summer Sale at the State Fairgrounds starts officially at 2 p.m.
Sunday, August 17th, 2014
FREE Admission 
http://www.cartersalesco.com/index.html