Alberta Bred Thoroughbreds Drive Owner Incentive Earnings

Alberta-Bred Thoroughbreds Drive Owner Incentive Earnings

Calgary, AB – As owners plan for the 2026 racing season, the Alberta Horsemen’s Benevolent and

Protective Association (HBPA), in partnership with Horse Racing Alberta, highlights the continued

strength and stability of Alberta’s Thoroughbred incentive structure through the Horse Racing Alberta

Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program. In 2025, an amount of $627,495 was earned by owners

through the Owners’ Bonus, reinforcing the program’s role in supporting competitive, sustainable

racing for Alberta-bred Thoroughbreds.

A total of $597,495 was awarded to owners of Alberta-foaled racehorses of all ages who finished win,

place, or show in all eligible sanctioned races in Alberta, with a minimum purse of $9,000 and entered

at or above a $6,250 claiming price. In 2025, the Owners’ Bonus represented 34% of the earnings

from all races meeting the eligibility requirements at Alberta racetracks.

Mike Vanin, Executive Director of the HBPA of Alberta, emphasized the continued impact of the

program, noting that “the Owners’ Bonus program continues to deliver real, measurable value to

Alberta horsemen. Seeing more than $627,000 returned directly to owners in 2025 reinforces that

Alberta-bred Thoroughbreds are a sound and competitive investment. Programs like this are

essential to maintaining a healthy horse population, rewarding commitment to local breeding, and

ensuring long-term stability for Thoroughbred racing in Alberta.”

Leading Owners and Bonus Earners

Empire Equestrian and Kerredge Farm top the 2025 Owners’ Bonus earners list with a bonus of

$47,300. Their leading bonus-earning runner was the Champion Older Mare, Alberta-bred and Horse

of the Year, Big Hug. The Mr. Big mare captured three eligible victories, including the black-type R.A.

Red McKenzie Handicap, R.K. Red Smith Handicap, and Lynn Chouinard Handicap, and added a

second-place finish in the Northlands Dista􀆯 Handicap, earning $105,000 in qualifying winnings.

Their Car Talk runner, Suddenly Famous, also made a significant contribution with $24,850 in eligible

earnings from two wins, two seconds, and two thirds in claiming races.

Curtis Landry ranks second on the Owners’ Bonus list with an impressive $28,870 Owners’ Bonus

awarded. Itsallgoodman was his main contributor with $77,500 in eligible winnings from two

Allowance Race victories, a win in the black-type Spangled Jimmy Handicap, a second-place finish

in the Century Mile Handicap, and a third in an Allowance race. The stakes-winning Speightster

gelding sold through the 2022 CTHS Alberta Sale for $23,000. Little Did We Know also contributed

$5,600 in eligible earnings toward Landry’s total. The Fed Biz gelding was purchased at the 2024

CTHS Alberta Sale for $28,000.

Third on the Owners’ Bonus list is Highfield Investment Group Inc., earning a total bonus of $21,192.

Their leading runner, Relaxgodoitramone, contributed $56,800 in eligible earnings, highlighted by a

Canadian Juvenile Stakes victory, a Maiden Special Weight win, and a second-place finish in the

Kindergarten Stakes. The Goldencents filly Hope Shines added $2,400, while the Oxbow gelding

Rumohr Reigns contributed $1,800.

Empire Equestrian secured fourth place on the Owners’ Bonus list with $20,254 earned.

Thiscatsgotspeed was their leading bonus earner, posting $22,500 in eligible earnings from two wins

and two seconds in claiming and starter allowance races. Additional bonus earners for Empire

Equestrian included Caravalla, Cassano, El Correcaminos, Fancy Like That, and Tabula Rosso, who

combined to contribute $35,800 in eligible earnings.

Rounding out the top five is Biggs Racing, with a total Owners’ Bonus of $19,282. It’s No Joke sired

We the Fringe led the way with $38,700 in eligible earnings, recording two wins, two seconds, and

two thirds in allowance races during the season. It’s No Joke runner Justinflation added $16,800 in

eligible earnings with a win in a Maiden Special Weight race.

North American Bonus Program

In 2025, the Horse Racing Alberta Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program introduced the North

American Bonus, making $30,000 available to owners of Alberta-foaled horses placing in eligible

Allowance races with purses over $40,000 and open stakes races with purses over $50,000 outside

Alberta across North America. This initiative paid a 20% bonus to eligible owners.

Congratulations to all recipients of the Alberta Owners’ Bonus this season, and sincere thanks to

Horse Racing Alberta for their continued support in making the Thoroughbred Breed Improvement

Program possible.

Owners of Alberta-breds earn more!

Read the entire news release at:

January 12, 2026 Alberta Bred Thoroughbreds Drive Owner Incentive Earnings