Alberta Yearling Market Soars 47%
The 2025 CTHS Alberta Thoroughbred sale delivered one of its strongest results in nearly two decades, with competitive bidding throughout the day and significant increases over recent years.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 22, 2025
Alberta Yearling Market Soars 47%
Red Deer, AB – The 2025 CTHS Alberta Thoroughbred sale delivered one of its strongest results in nearly two decades, with competitive bidding throughout the day and significant increases over recent years.
The CTHS Alberta is proud to announce that the sale generated a gross of $1,024,600, representing a 47% increase over the 2024 gross of $699,000. This year, 73 yearlings sold with a 10% RNA and 17% Buy Back rate. The 2025 sale posted an average price of $14,036, up 12% from the 2024 average of $12,482.14, while the median increased to $10,000 over last year’s $9,850. These gains underscore the continued growth and resilience of the Alberta market.
The sales topper, Hip 52 – Vekoma’s Pride, captured the spotlight when the yearling sold for $72,000 to Norm Tremblay, Agent, from the consignment of Doug Oberg. This represents the highest-priced yearling sold in Alberta since 2015. Vekoma’s Pride, a gelding by the exciting young sire Vekoma out of the winning mare Janae, stood out for his athletic build and pedigree strength.
Vekoma himself was a stakes winner of six races, earning $1,245,525, including victories in the Grade 1 Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap and the Grade 1 Carter Handicap. His first foals are just three-year-olds of 2025, yet he has already sired 12 stakes winners, one champion, and 84 winners of 135 races, with progeny earnings over $8.5 million. Among his top performers is Golden Vekoma ($1,068,145, Longines U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas-G3). On the dam side, Janae adds proven racing ability and black-type depth, strengthening this yearling’s appeal as a future performer. The combination of sire power and maternal quality made Hip 52 one of the most coveted offerings of the sale and a clear signal of Alberta’s ability to attract buyers seeking serious racing prospects.
The top five prices of the sale further illustrate the strength of the market. Hip 52 – Vekoma’s Pride – at $72,000, followed by Hip 37 – a filly by Reload out of Ennis Lady – at $53,000. Hip 105 – a colt by Stanford out of Mischief Free – commanded $47,000, while Hip 104 – a colt by Classic Empire out of Into the Stars – brought $41,000. Rounding out the list was Hip 73 – a colt by Bakken out of My Special Angel – selling for $40,000. Together, these highlights reflect a deep and competitive marketplace, with strong demand across a range of sires and families.
Beyond the sales toppers, the market showed healthy depth. Highfield Investment Group led all consignors, grossing $104,000 from five yearlings sold. Their standout was Hip 37, a filly by Reload, who brought $53,000 when purchased by Stetson Ent Ltd., Ryan Stetson, Stetsco Inc., Everblack Cattle Co.
On the buying side, Al Pitchko topped all purchasers with seven yearlings acquired for $152,000. His highest-priced acquisition was Hip 104, a filly by Classic Empire out of Into the Stars, consigned by C.W. Matier, purchased for $41,000.
This sale had some quality offerings,” said Dawson Guhle, General Manager of CTHS Alberta. “We saw strong competition from start to finish, a near-record average, and a record-matching median. It shows the confidence buyers have in the future of racing here in Alberta.”
The results of this year’s sale reflect a strengthening Alberta thoroughbred industry and signal that breeders’ investments in bloodlines and preparation are paying off. With purse growth and incentive programs, the CTHS Alberta Sale continues to be a cornerstone of the Western Canadian market.
Full results, including hip-by-hip details, are available online at www.cthsalta.com/2025-cths-alberta-sale.
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