Calgary, AB – Positive Numbers from the 2023 CTHS Alberta Thoroughbred Sale

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 28^th, 2023

Contact:

Lindsay Ward
Communications Coordinator
CTHS (Alberta Division)
wardlind@cthsalta.com
www.cthsalta.com

Calgary, AB – Positive Numbers from the 2023 CTHS Alberta Thoroughbred Sale

The CTHS Alberta Sale, held at Westerner Park in Red Deer on Friday, September 22^nd, 2023 was a resounding success with significant positive increases on all benchmarks for the 69 quality yearlings on offer. Over $600,000 in gross sales was spent to purchase 43 yearlings this year, a substantial rise from the $443,600 spent on 40 yearlings in 2022.  The average price was up 27% to $14,135 this sale from $11,090 last year. The median increased over twofold to $10,000, from $4,750 in 2022, giving an indication of the positive strength of the sale.



The sale topper was Hip #59, a Counterforce gelding out of the Katowice mare, Chilli Chines, consigned by Highfield Investment Group, Agent and selling for $46,000 to purchaser, Curtis Landry. Counterforce is the current Leading Second Crop sire in Canada by progeny earnings while the dam, Chilli Chines has produced the Grade 3 stakes winner, Herbie D.

The second highest selling yearling and top selling filly was Hip # 38, a Fed Biz filly out of the Captain Bodgit mare, Tell Me Lies, consigned by Bushido Stables and sold for $40,000 to Everblack Cattle Company. Fed Biz is a multiple graded stakes winner, multiple new track record setter and multiple grade 1 performer, in addition to being the current leading western Canadian sire by progeny earnings. Tell Me Lies is a multiple stakes winner and a half-sister to nine stakes runners.

Bushido Stables was the leading consignor by average, with a consignment that included the sale topper and a Fed Biz colt out of Count the Change who sold for $26,000 to Hurley Racing Stable. The average sale price for Bushido Stables was $33,000. Highfield Investment Group was the leading consignor by gross sales, with four Fed Biz yearlings selling for a total of $86,500.

The leading purchaser in the sale, both by gross and average, was Curtis Landry who spent a total of $76,000 and an average of $38,000 with the acquisition of the highest priced yearling and a Fed Biz gelding out of Swaying for $30,000.

The variety of incentive programs for Alberta owners and breeders, and the increase in funding for the Breed Improvement Program have contributed to a strong Alberta advantage. As CTHS Alberta Manager Jean Kruse notes, “With the CTHS Alberta investing in programs for breeders, it’s obviously had a positive impact on our sale. Purchasers and consignors have a far more optimistic outlook this year. The industry is looking forward to the future, as the results of the CTHS programs make it to the sale and the racetrack.”

Online bidding and real time viewing was offered again this year, with Direct Livestock Marketing Systems (DLMS) hosting this service. Our appreciation and thanks goes to the 2023 DLMS sponsors; Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, the HBPA of Alberta and Highfield Investment Group Inc.

Thank you to all the consignors, purchasers and viewers for their support of the 2023 CTHS Alberta Sale and the Alberta Thoroughbred industry.

Further details on programs and full sales results are available on the CTHS (Alberta Division) website at www.cthsalta.com

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