The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Alberta Sale produced significant increases for all benchmarks during the sale held Sept. 22 at Westerner Park in Red Deer.
Forty-three yearlings sold produced gross sales of $607,800, which is up 37% from last year's gross of $443,600 spent on 40 yearlings. The average price was $14,135, up 27% from $11,090 last year. The median more than doubled to $10,000 from $4,750 in 2022.
The sale topper was Hip 59, a Counterforce gelding out of the Katowice mare Chilli Chines, consigned by Highfield Investment Group, agent, and selling for $46,000 to Curtis Landry. Counterforce is the current leading second-crop sire in Canada by progeny earnings. Chilli Chines has produced the grade 3 stakes winner Herbie D.
The variety of incentive programs for Alberta owners and breeders, and the increase in funding for the Breed Improvement Program have contributed to a strong Alberta advantage.
"With the CTHS Alberta investing in programs for breeders, it's obviously had a positive impact on our sale," said CTHA Alberta manager Jean Kruse. "Purchasers and consignors have a far more optimistic outlook this year. The industry is looking forward to the future, as the results of the CTHS programs make it to the sale and the racetrack."
Bushido Stables was the leading consignor by average at $33,000 and Highfield Investment Group was the leading consignor by gross sales at $86,500. Curtis Landry was the leading buyer by gross and average at $76,000 and $38,000, respectively.
