Positive News from the 2020 CTHS Alberta Sale
Admin • September 24, 2020
The CTHS Alberta Thoroughbred Sale held on Friday, September 18th at Westerner Park in Red Deer had a strong start with an announcement from Horse Racing Alberta CEO, Kent Verlik, who offered positive news on the state of the industry going forward.
Photo credit to Orianna Scheck
Verlik emphasized that the record handle and slot machine revenue numbers since the re-opening of horse racing and the racing entertainment centres have surpassed the expectations of Horse Racing Alberta and provided a stable financial position from which to grow the industry.
“Over the course of our 2021-2023 business plan, we are planning to make significant investment in our Horsepersons. Next year, increases in both breed improvement and purse funding will be increased by more than 16% over what was planned BEFORE the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Similar increases are being planned for in 2022 and 2023.
We want to encourage horse owners, trainers and others that may have either left the industry or wish to join it, to look at making horse racing in Alberta a part of your future. We now find ourselves on stable ground, rejuvenated and brimming with optimism for an even stronger 2021 and beyond.”
65 yearlings were offered in the 2020 catalogue with 39 selling for total gross sales of $327,400. The yearling book was somewhat smaller than normal this year due to the general uncertainty created by Covid-19 but overall results were extremely positive showing an increase in both the average and median. The average yearling price this year was $8,395 which represents a 25% increase over the previous 2019 sale average of $6,736. The 2020 median sale price of $4,500 is an impressive 67% higher than the 2019 median of $2,700.
The high seller at the 2020 sale was Hip #53, an Alberta bred yearling that sold for $44,000. This lovely filly by the stakes winning sire Exhi was consigned by Highfield Investment Group Inc., Agent and sold to Greg Tracy, Agent. Exhi is a stakes winning racehorse who has sired 30 winners including Alberta runners Pacioretty ($112,440), Victory Day ($78,398) and Norm’s Big Bucks ($53,201). The dam of the high seller is the stakes winning Forestry mare, Eustacia, who earned $189,540 in her race career with an impressive record of seven firsts, three seconds and one third from fourteen starts. The stakes wins for Eustacia included races such as the Freedom of the City Stakes, the Bird of Pay Stakes, the R.K. (Red) Smith Handicap, the Wild Rose Handicap and the Chariot Chaser Handicap. This yearling is her second foal as her first foal is a two year old of 2020.
The second highest selling yearling was Hip #60, a Laoban filly consigned by Stone Ranches Ltd. and purchased by True North Stable for $26,500. Laoban is a stakes winning son of leading sire Uncle Mo and his first foals are just two year olds of 2020. This yearling is out of the Bernardini mare, Kimono ($97,050).
Third of the top selling yearlings was Hip #27, a War Correspondent filly consigned by Highfield Investment Group, Agent and purchased for $22,000 by Greg Tracy, Agent. This yearling is from the first group of foals for War Correspondent who is a son of leading sire War Front. This filly is the first foal for her dam, Swaying, a Stormy Atlantic daughter.
Hip #30, Wild Runnin Maggie, brought the fourth highest price in the sale for consignor, Barb Saunders after she was purchased by P.J. Schaffer for $20,000. The sire, Cape Canaveral, is among the leading sires in Canada with progeny earnings of over $17 Million with current runners that include Alberta Two Year Old champion, Pearl of Knowledge. The dam of this yearling is the multiple stakes winning mare, Wild Bender ($170,583).
The fifth highest selling yearling was Hip #17, an Upstart gelding consigned by Stone Ranches Ltd. and purchased by DHA Thoroughbreds for $18,500. The first foals for the son of Flatter are two year olds of 2020. The dam of this gelding, Ron’s Girl, is a half-sister to stakes winner Mindy Sue ($208,612).
Highfield Investment Group Inc., Agent was the leading consignor by gross sales and average with three yearlings selling for a total of $62,000 or an average of $20,667. The top seller in the sale was from this consignment. The leading purchaser by gross sales and average was Greg Tracy, Agent with two purchases for a total of $66,000 or an average of $33,000. The purchases included the top selling Exhi filly and the War Correspondent filly.
Four of the top five selling yearlings were Alberta bred yearlings giving their purchasers the opportunity to participate in the Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program which in 2020 paid to owners of horses foaled in Alberta a bonus of greater than 20% on eligible earnings.
This province will be an exciting place to breed and own Thoroughbreds in the years ahead. Your best bet is an Alberta bred!
For further details and full sale results, visit the CTHS Alberta website at www.cthsalta.com under Sales
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The closing date for entries is November 12, 2025 and entry forms are available at cthsnational.com
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 -
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.
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