Alberta Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program

Admin • March 3, 2022

Increases in Breeding Support Announced for 2022

For immediate release March 3, 2022
 
Calgary, Alberta – The details of the 2022 Horse Racing Alberta Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program are now available. The total Thoroughbred allocation for the Breed Improvement Program has increased by 19% to $1,886,660 this year from $1,581,465 in 2021.


Breeders’ will now share in total Breeders’ Support of $472,830, which includes an additional $132,598 over the 2021 amount of $340,232. In 2021, the highest breeders’ bonus paid out was $41,850 and the average breeders’ bonus was $3,658.


$472,830 is available in Owners’ Breeding Support, which includes $100,000 to fund the purses of Alberta bred restricted races.


2022 funding for both Breeders’ and Owners’ has been increased by 39% over the 2021 amount. The monies will be dispersed to breeders and owners of horses of all ages foaled in Alberta placing win, place and show in all sanctioned races in Alberta having a minimum $7,000 purse and where entered at or above a minimum $6,250 Claiming price.


Owners of Alberta breds have $300,000 designated for the restricted Alberta Breeders’ Fall Classic races, which will have a minimum purse of $50,000 each.


Stallion owners’ breeding support offers a stallion bonus of $65,000 to be paid proportionately to stallion owners whose stallions have eligible Alberta Thoroughbred progeny with earnings of $10,000 or greater during the calendar year. Stallions must have stood in the province of Alberta for the entire calendar year of conception for each year’s crop to be eligible.


The Breed Improvement Program works to reward breeders and owners producing quality in Alberta bred Thoroughbreds performing at the highest level of racing.


Your best bet is an Alberta bred!


Visit www.cthsalta.com/breed-improvement-program to read further details.

Share

Digital Certificate Information

By Lindsay Ward • June 2, 2025
Click on the picture for a step by step reminder of how to transfer Jockey Club Digital Certificates to a sales company or new owner.

In Memory of Golden Made

By Lindsay Ward • May 26, 2025
n Memory of Golden Made (1998 - 2025) Today, we say goodbye to Golden Made, whose beauty, kindness and spirit made her a favourite for everyone on the farm. Golden Made earned over $372,000 on the track with 11 wins from ages 2 to 5, but her greatest gift to us was in the breeding shed: 12 foals, 12 to race, 12 to win. She was perfect. Highfield Stock Farm was fortunate to purchase Golden Made at the Keeneland January Sale in 2007, and she has been a cherished part of our broodmare band ever since.

2024 Alberta Thoroughbred Industry Award Winners Celebrated

By Lindsay Ward • May 6, 2025
2024 Alberta Thoroughbred Industry Award Winners Celebrated at the 51st Night of Champions The achievements of Alberta’s Thoroughbred industry were proudly recognized on Saturday, May 3, as the new racing season kicked off at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino. More than 130 owners, breeders, trainers, and passionate fans gathered in the Triple Crown Suites for the annual Night of Champions celebration. Against the backdrop of a thrilling day of live racing — and the excitement of the Kentucky Derby — Alberta’s top Thoroughbreds and their connections were honored for their success during the 2024 season. With champions crowned and the starting gates open, the 2025 season began in true Alberta racing style.

$3,400 Bargain Becomes Alberta’s Best: Big Hug Honoured as Horse of the Year

By Admin • May 5, 2025
The Princess of the Track is now Queen of the Hill. Absolutely marvelous, Big Hug was named Alberta’s Horse Of the Year Saturday at the annual Night of Champions Awards dinner at Century Mile. Also named Alberta’s 2024 Champion Older Mare and Champion Alberta-bred, Big Hug won six of her eight starts in Alberta last year capturing the Founders Distaff, CTHS Sales stake, the Fall Classic Distaff and the R.K. ‘Red’ Smith Handicap for owner/trainer Rick Hedge and Lori and Martin Neyka’s Empire Equestrian. Purchased by Hedge for just $3,400 at the Alberta Yearling Sale, the now-five-year-old mare won $175,500 last year and $354,000 in her career. Big Hug was sired by Mr. Big and is out of the mare Temeeku, who broke her maiden for no tag at Del Mar, California. “Best horse I’ve ever trained,” said Hedge, 76, who has trained many outstanding thoroughbreds in his career and many more as a jockey.

The Western Canadian Derby Series is back and better than ever!

By Admin • April 8, 2025
The Western Canadian Derby Series is back and bigger than ever for 2025! 🏇 $100,000 Derby Bonus for any 3-year-old who sweeps the Manitoba Derby (Aug 4), Canadian Derby (Aug 23), and BC Derby (Sept 13) – now all back in the lineup! 💰 Plus, a $25,000 Owner-Trainer Bonus is up for grabs based on points earned across all three races #horseracingalberta #albertaracing #ridersup #FeelTheRush #bestinthewest

Equineline and T.I.P. today announced the launch of a new report centered on Thoroughbreds in their second careers.

By Lindsay Ward • April 7, 2025
Equineline and T.I.P. today announced the launch of a new report centered on Thoroughbreds in their second careers.

Dual-Breed Dream: Thoroughbred Jockey Omar Moreno Finds New Passion In Standardbreds

By Lindsay Ward • March 25, 2025
Dual-Breed Dream: Thoroughbred Jockey Omar Moreno Finds New Passion In Standardbreds While Moreno will continue to be active in Thoroughbred racing, his wintertime passion for harness racing has given him a deeper appreciation for all horses Chris Lomon/Woodbine Communications21 hours ago

Canadian Tariff Countermeasures Update

By Admin • March 18, 2025
The public comment period for the proposed countermeasures, with feedback from business, stakeholders, and Canadians regarding their impacts has been extended to April 2nd. Once again, we strongly encourage all industry stakeholders to submit their input through this comment submission form and request an exemption to the Canadian tariffs for purebred breeding and racing horses at https://forms-formulaires.alpha.canada.ca/en/id/cm7upmkx9008rx268zhy9l6pj. Please make sure you make a note of the following HS Tariff Items in your exemption request: HS Tariff Item 0101.21.00 Pure-bred breeding animals HS Tariff Item 0101.29.00.20 – Other For Racing

Alberta bred He's Crimson Code Turns to Jumping

By Admin • March 4, 2025
From the racetrack to the show ring! Code, the first foal out of Crimson Deed by Omega Code, retired sound after his racing career and found a new purpose with a dedicated young rider from High River. Given the time and patience OTTBs need to transition, Carol built a strong bond with him before training for his second career. Now, they’re gearing up for their next big challenge—a show at Spruce Meadows from March 13-16. A true testament to the versatility and heart of Alberta-breds!

Alberta Stallion Owners Celebrate Outstanding Breeders Awards

By Admin • February 26, 2025
Alberta’s breeding industry is thriving, with qualifying stallion owners sharing in an impressive $85,000 in breeding awards for the 2024 season! The Horse Racing Alberta Breed Improvement Program Stallion Bonus rewarded 34 stallions at a rate of 3.25%, building on the momentum of 2023’s $75,000 at 3.26%—a testament to the growing success of Alberta-sired runners. Cape Canaveral topped the Stallion Bonus leaderboard with an impressive $13,969 payout, followed by Fed Biz ($8,217), It’s No Joke ($6,486), Saturdaynitelites ($5,509), and Imperialism ($5,120), solidifying their impact on Alberta’s breeding scene. With Alberta-sired winners making their mark on the track, the future of the province’s breeding program has never looked brighter!
Show More