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

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

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’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!

🏇✨ Off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) are the ultimate comeback stars! With their athleticism, heart, and resilience, they thrive in second careers like eventing, show jumping, dressage, and even therapy work. 🏆💖 Their spirit and work ethic make them incredible partners for life, proving that retirement is just the start of something great! Here’s two Alberta bred older OTTB having some playful fun in the Mane Attractions arena near Olds where they are now boarded!

Horse Racing Alberta Boosts Breed Improvement Programs for 2025 As we approach the end of a successful 2024, Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) is gearing up for even greater success in 2025 with significant enhancements to its Breed Improvement Programs (BIP). The programs, which have already paid out substantial bonuses to breeders and owners, are set for an impressive expansion, reflecting HRA’s commitment to fostering a robust horse racing industry in Alberta.

Celebrating Alberta-Bred Success and Breeders' Bonuses In 2024, breeders of Alberta-bred Thoroughbreds are celebrating BIG, with over $600,000 in Breeders’ Bonus winnings! Thanks to the generous $629,594 funding from Horse Racing Alberta through the Breed Improvement Program, qualifying breeders are now reaping the rewards of their hard work and dedication to breeding top-tier racehorses.

Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) is pleased to announce the 2025 Budget which includes marked increases to purse allocations and horsemen’s programs across all breeds. “We are thrilled to announce a $22.1 million investment in Alberta’s horse racing industry through purse allocations, breed improvement, and various industry programs,” said Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Racing Alberta. “Alberta continues to lead as Canada’s most attractive destination for horse racing outside of Woodbine. We want to make it clear to the industry that horse racing in Alberta is a smart investment.”

Highlights from the 2024 Open Season at Century Mile and Century Downs The Live Thoroughbred meet took place at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino in Nisku from May 4th through the Alberta Breeders’ Fall Classic races on September 14th. The meet then moved down to Century Downs Racetrack and Casino from September 21st to November 3rd. The Mr. Big filly BIG HUG was the first Alberta bred to capture an open stakes races in the season with her win in the black type $50,000 R.K. Red Smith Handicap on July 12th.