One of the first decisions a prospective partner must face is where you want to start. There are two primary considerations. First, do you want a share in a horse that is already racing or one that is just beginning or about to begin its career?

Carousel Farm has experience and success in each of the above situations.

The advantages of investing in horses already racing (through claiming or private purchase) are a quicker return on your investment and less cost in the breaking and schooling procedures. Also, the value of this horse will probably be easier to determine (especially if it is a claiming horse).

Recent claims by Carousel Farm include Cover Girl Stakes winner LILSISTERLIGHTNING and multiple allowance winner APRIL FOOLISH who finished third in the 2004 $40,000 Cover Girl Stakes.

When investing in a young horse well before its racing career there is both greater risk and greater potential reward. There is an art to spotting the potential of young horses and a stable with good representation such as Carousel Farm can, with a little luck, develop a champion.

Other than the claiming of horses, most Carousel purchases are completed privately. One advantage of a private purchase over claiming a horse is the availability of Carousel Farm's veterinarian to examine prospects.

Becoming a partner in a yearling or two-year-old in training at auction can be a particular thrill. The exhilaration of being a winner begins when the auctioneer drops the hammer and proclaims you the owner of the future champion you had hoped for.

Multiple Stakes winner and British Columbia champion mare SUPERNATUREL (left) was a Carousel Farm auction purchase.