It Pays to Breed Thoroughbreds!
Join a thrilling industry that is a vital and significant part of our economy playing an important role in the viability of rural communities.
Why Breed a Thoroughbred?
Physical Appearance and Unique Characteristics
This breed represents the highest class of light horse in existence with refined heads and widely spaced, intelligent eyes. The Thoroughbred typically has an elegant neck and a body that is long and lean with sloped shoulders. The Thoroughbred horse is powerful, muscular and relatively large, between 15 and 17 hands, yet remains elegant and graceful.
Famous throughout the world, the breed represents all that is best in the horse world. The Thoroughbred is a symbol of speed and stamina and its bloodlines are one of the single greatest influences on the world's horse population. Thoroughbreds are excellent athletes with superb agility, fantastic speed and an exceptional spirit.
Although best known as racehorses, the courage, work ethic and competitive nature of the Thoroughbred make it popular in other disciplines beyond the racetrack such as jumping, polo, dressage, trail riding and barrel racing.
Their versatility and bravery of the Thoroughbred also makes them well suited for many other disciplines such as mounted police work, ranch work and pleasure riding.
Market Your Thoroughbred Through the Annual CTHS Yearling Sale
List of Services
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Annual CTHS Alberta SaleList Item 1
The industry offers an annual provincial CTHS Alberta sale to support breeders and offers an established means to market your Thoroughbred stock
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Profitable Alberta bred yearlingsList Item 2
Alberta bred yearlings are profitable for breeders; in 2023, the average price for a yearling at the CTHS Alberta sale was $14,174 and over the past five years was $10,277.
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Sale prices are impressiveList Item 3
The 2023 sale topper sold for $46,000 and the average top sale price over the past five years was $41,000.
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Alberta Sales Stakes opportunitiesList Item 4
Alberta sale graduates have the opportunity to compete as two year olds, three year olds and four year olds in the annual Alberta Sales Stakes!
Eligible sale graduates have the opportunity to run in a combined sales stake for two year olds with a purse of $100,000 or $50,000 per race for three and four year olds.
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$1 Million CTHS Canadian Sales Stakes Series
Canadian bred yearling graduates of CTHS Provincial Sales, that have met the eligibility requirements within their respective provinces, are eligible to run in the CTHS Canadian Sales Stakes which offers over $1 Million in purse money
| Sale Year | Sale Topper |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $46,000 |
| 2022 | $35,000 |
| 2021 | $32,000 |
| 2020 | $44,000 |
| 2019 | $48,000 |
| 2018 | $67,000 |
Share in the Breeding Support Program
List of Services
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Rewarding Bonus ProgramList Item 1
The Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program has been in place for over ten years with an extremely rewarding bonus program available through Horse Racing Alberta.
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Share in Future EarningsList Item 2
Breeders have the unique opportunity to share in the future earnings of their horses through the Breeders' Bonus, even if the horse has been sold to new owners.
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Breeders' Bonus MoniesList Item 3
In 2023, breeders shared in bonus monies of over $500,000 offered to breeders of horses of all ages foaled in Alberta placing win, place and show in all sanctioned races in Alberta having a minimum $9,000 purse and where entered at or above a minimum $6,250 claiming price.
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Breeders' Association Well RecognizedList Item 4
Well recognized breeders' association with National and provincial offices to support new breeders.
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Established Breeders' Support
Established breeding support program offered total breeding support of $1,793,110 in 2023.
Alberta Breeders' Fall Classic - Dedicated Race Day for Alberta Breds
List of Services
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Annual Race DayList Item 1
Annual race day dedicated solely to breeders of Alberta bred race horses
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Restricted EntriesList Item 2
Entries restricted to only Alberta breds with $350,000 in purse money offered over seven restricted races
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Breeders' Bonus MoniesList Item 3
Breeders' Bonus paid out to breeders of Alberta Breeders' Fall Classic racehorses placing win, place or show
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Watch Your Horses CompeteList Item 4
Breeders have the exciting opportunity to watch their horse compete for a $50,000 purse
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Breeders' Awards
Breeders' awards or trophies are awarded to breeders of winning horses
