The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Alberta Division's Thoroughbred yearling sale reported Sept. 22 a 47% increase in gross sales year-over-year, making it one of the strongest sales in nearly two decades, with competitive bidding throughout the day and significant increases over recent years.
The CTHS Alberta sale generated a gross of CA$1,024,600 (US$743,386, CA$1=US$0.725) from 73 yearlings sold, which produced a CA$14,036 average, up 12% from the 2024 average. The median also saw a gain to CA$10,000 from CA$9,850 last year.
"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."
Hip 52, a Vekoma gelding named Vekoma's Pride, topped the sale at CA$72,000, making him the highest-priced yearling sold in Alberta since 2015. Consignor and breeder Doug Oberg sold Vekoma's Pride to agent Norm Tremblay. The sales-topper is out of 2017 Texas Thoroughbred Futurity winner Janae, who has already produced a winner named Point Clear (Malibu Moon).
Spendthrift Farm's Vekoma leads the North American second-crop sire standings as of Sept. 22 with nearly $9.4 million in progeny earnings and is also leading his sire class with 12 black-type winners and five graded stakes winners year to date.
The top five prices of the sale further illustrate the strength of the market. Hip 37, a filly by Reload out of Ennis Lady, brought CA$53,000 followed by Hip 105, a colt by Stanford out of Mischief Free, that sold for CA$47,000; Hip 104, a colt by Classic Empire out of Into the Stars, who sold for CA$41,000; and, Hip 73, a colt by Bakken out of My Special Angel, that sold for CA$40,000.
Highfield Investment Group led all consignors, grossing $104,000 from five yearlings sold. Its standout was Hip 37, purchased by Stetson Enterprises, Ryan Stetson, Stetsco, and Everblack Cattle Co.
Al Pitchko was the leading buyer with seven purchases totaling $152,000. His highest-priced acquisition was Hip 104, which was consigned by C.W. Matier. Stetson Enterprises also bought two others among the top five yearlings sold, picking up Hip 105 with C.J. Stetson and acquiring Hip 73 with Tim Rycroft and Everblack Angus.
Full results for the sale are available on the CTHS Alberta website.
