CTHS Alberta Sale Review

Admin • September 19, 2019

High seller was an Alberta bred Oxbow colt out of Samara Street

2019 CTHS Alberta Thoroughbred Yearling Sale Review

$48,000 was the top price paid for a yearling during the annual Alberta Thoroughbred Sale on Friday, September 13th at Westerner Park in Red Deer, Alberta. 111 quality yearlings were on offer with 67 selling for total gross sales of $451,300. The top five highest priced yearlings were all Alberta bred yearlings.

The high seller was Hip #66, an Alberta bred Oxbow colt out of Samara Street, consigned by Highfield Investment Group, Inc. and sold to 1140021 Alberta Ltd. Oxbow is by Canadian Hall of Fame racehorse and elite sire, Awesome Again. Oxbow is a Grade One winner of the Preakness Stakes and has progeny with over $3 Million in earnings to date. Samara Street ($155,220) is a stakes placed daughter of Street Cry (IRE) who has produced the stakes placed Choteau ($99,450).

The second highest selling yearling was Hip #62, a Cape Canaveral gelding, consigned by Highfield Investment Group and purchased by Greg Tracy, Agent for $30,000. This yearling is out of the Deputy Minister mare, Renaissance Woman, who produced the successful Alberta runner, Alywyn ($261,194).

Third was Hip #45, a Commissioner colt out of the stakes placed Next Big Nothin’ by Forest Wildcat that sold for $26,000. This colt was consigned by Running Fawcett Thoroughbreds and purchased by True North Stable.

Hip #11, a Giant Gizmo filly consigned by Highfield Investment Group sold for $25,000 to Greg Tracy, Agent and brought the fourth highest price in the sale. This filly is out of the stakes winning Golden Made ($372,225), a dam who has produced 10 winners including the well-known Alberta runners, Tell Me Lies ($273,650), Centrefire ($145,777) and Golden Cup ($48,920).

Rounding out the top five high sellers was Hip #30, a Mank colt out of the stakes winning mare Lil Missknowitall ($142,568) by Kafwain. This yearling was consigned by Starline Thoroughbreds and purchased by Don & Sue Danard for $21,000.

Highfield Investment Group was the leading consignor by gross sales with seven yearlings selling for a gross total of $143,200. Three of the top five highest priced yearlings in the sale came from the Highfield Investment Group consignment. The leading purchaser by gross sales was Greg Tracy, Agent who purchased four yearlings for a total amount of $78,000. This group included a Giant Gizmo, an Exhi and two Cape Canaveral yearlings.

The total gross sales for the yearling portion of sale totalled $451,300 with an average of $6,736 and a median of $2,700. The 2019 sales average declined 31% from the 2018 average of $9,658 while the median amount declined 34% from the 2018 median of $4,100. As CTHS Alberta Manager, Jean Kruse, commented, “It was a buyer’s sale.” Consignors faced a challenging market but purchasers had exceptional opportunities to find affordable yearlings from a quality offering that Alberta breeders have worked hard to produce.

Purchasers and owners of Alberta bred yearlings have the opportunity to participate in the Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program which in 2019 offered over $950,000 to owners of horses foaled in Alberta. Owners of horses of all ages foaled in Alberta placing win, place and show in all sanctioned races in Alberta having a minimum $8,000 claiming price will be paid a bonus amount of 23%.


The CTHS anticipates that;

·Overnight and stakes purses will remain the same in 2020 as they were in 2019. More importantly we expect tangible growth in our Purse Pools in 2021.

·The Breed Improvement Pool will remain the same in 2020 as it was in 2019 offering a minimum 23% bonus to Owners of Alberta Breeds and a minimum 25% bonus to the Breeders of Alberta Breds placing win, place and show in all sanctioned races in Alberta having a minimum $8,000 claiming price .

·Alberta will offer a similar number of “A” Track race dates in 2020 versus 2019.

In addition, a new CTHS Canadian Sales Stakes Series with annual purses totaling over $1 Million has recently been implemented across Canada. This program is open to all Canadian-Bred yearling graduates of CTHS Provincial Sales that have met the eligibility requirements within their respective provinces. The program is intended to truly celebrate the Canadian-Bred and provide increased incentives for buyers to attend and buy at all the Canadian sales. In addition, it is anticipated that the series should increase prices at future Canadian sales which will be beneficial for all consignors.

Alberta is now home to two beautiful ‘A’ Thoroughbred tracks, the one mile Century Mile in Nisku on the outskirts of Edmonton and Century Downs in Balzac on the outskirts of Calgary, offering the promise of exciting live Thoroughbred racing for years to come. These tracks and stakes series offer CTHS yearling sale purchasers many opportunities to become involved in the industry and race their prospects.

Thank you to all the consignors and purchasers who participated in the CTHS Alberta yearling sale for their continued support of the industry and best of luck with your future racing plans.

For full sale results, visit the CTHS Alberta website at www.cthsalta.com.





Share

By Lindsay Ward October 28, 2025
Understanding where Thoroughbreds go after their racing and breeding careers will advance the entire industry’s aftercare efforts and support welfare, accountability, and public trust in the sport.
By Lindsay Ward October 15, 2025
The closing date for entries is November 12, 2025 and entry forms are available at cthsnational.com
By Lindsay Ward October 1, 2025
NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 29, 2025 Calgary, AB – Racing, Rewards & Celebration: Don’t Miss the 2025 Sales Stakes Festival The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) – Alberta Division is excited to announce that the 2025 Sales Stakes Festival will take place on Saturday, October 4th at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino , with the first post at 4:45 PM . This annual showcase has become one of the most exciting days of the year for Alberta’s racing community, highlighting the quality and strength of CTHS Sales Stake graduates. Owners: Bigger and Better Rewards Owners of Alberta-breds will once again enjoy the benefit of a 25% bonus paid to the owners of Alberta-bred horses finishing win, place, or show in the Sales Stakes races. This program ensures that investing in Alberta-bred horses continues to deliver unmatched value, living up to the motto: “Owners of Alberta-breds earn more.” Trainers: Pride and Bragging Rights on the Line Trainers will also be chasing a unique prize. In 2025, the leading Sales Stakes trainer will be awarded a custom champion belt buckle – a one-of-a-kind award that symbolizes the best of Alberta racing and provides lasting bragging rights for the winning connections. Purse Money and Race Schedule This year’s Festival will feature four $50,000 sales stakes races , offering a total of $200,000 in total purse money . These races will feature graduates of the CTHS Alberta Yearling Sales, with divisions for: Two-Year-Old Colts & Geldings (6 furlongs) Two-Year-Old Fillies (6 furlongs) Three & Four-Year-Old Colts & Geldings (7 furlongs) Three & Four-Year-Old Fillies (7 furlongs) Festival Atmosphere: A Celebration for Everyone The Sales Stakes Festival is more than a day of racing – it’s a celebration of Alberta’s breeders, owners, and horses. Fans will enjoy great racing, food, and community spirit throughout the day. Adding to the excitement, Balzac Craft Brewing Company will be on-site pouring free samples, giving racegoers a chance to enjoy local flavors while taking in the action on the track. Campus Derby Day Scholarship Giveaway The Festival also coincides with Campus Derby Day , providing a special opportunity for students. Post-secondary students in attendance can enter a draw to win one of two $1,000 scholarships , making the event an even more memorable experience for Alberta’s next generation. Eligibility and Canadian Sales Stakes Series The CTHS Alberta Sales Stakes are part of the Canadian Sales Stakes Series , established in 2018. Yearlings that meet eligibility requirements through their respective CTHS Provincial Sales are eligible to run in Sales Stakes races across Canada. In Alberta, horses must have passed through the CTHS Alberta Yearling Sale , with full commissions and fees paid to the CTHS, to qualify for the Series. The 2025 Sales Stakes Festival is shaping up to be one of the premier events of the season. With exciting competition, valuable incentives, and a festival atmosphere, it’s a day that celebrates the very best of Alberta horse racing. Bring your friends, cheer on your favorites, and be part of the excitement as we crown the champions of this year’s Festival. For more information, visit the CTHS Alberta website at www.cthsalta.com . - 30 -
By Lindsay Ward September 23, 2025
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 prou
By Lindsay Ward September 16, 2025
September 15, 2025 News Release 
By Lindsay Ward September 9, 2025
Sale connections to the Alberta Breeders' Fall Classic nominees!
By Admin August 18, 2025
The 2025 CTHS Alberta Thoroughbred sale online catalogue is now live on the website at https://www.cthsalta.com/2025-cths-alberta-sale Join us for the annual Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division) Yearling Sale — taking place on Friday, September 19th at 3:00 PM in the Agricentre East at Westerner Park,
News
By Lindsay Ward August 18, 2025
On Tuesday August 12th, Thoroughbred OwnerView hosted the webinar "Buying at the Sales and Digital Sales". The webinar included some excellent discussions about both the in-person sales and the newest trend in digital sales. Please use the link to access the recorded version of the webinar.'
By Lindsay Ward July 16, 2025
If you’re looking to responsibly retire your Thoroughbred, The Jockey Club provides a list of resources and programs to help you do so.
By Lindsay Ward July 16, 2025
OTTB Profile is the first Equineline report centered on Thoroughbreds retiring from the track or enjoying their second careers.