Alberta racing

With the GI Kentucky Oaks streaming live during cocktail hour, the Alberta Thoroughbred industry celebrated Friday, May 1 at the Royal Hotel, Edmonton Airport with the annual Night of Champions, presented by Sublime Stables and TCX Premium Equine Supplements. Empire Equestrian and Kerredge Farm's Big Hug (Mr. Big) captured both the Horse of the Year and Champion Older Mare honors for the second consecutive season. "She has been everything for us and we're living the dream," said Rick Hedge of Kerredge Farm, who doubles as her trainer. Lori Neyka of...

The Alberta Division of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) has launched a $60,000 incentive program which is designed to reward owners of 2-year-old Alberta-breds who graduated from the 2024 yearling sale and make their first start during the current season, the group said in a press release late on Thursday. Beginning Friday, June 27, the program offers a $1,500 payout, which will be processed and issued monthly as horses qualify. The incentive might be limited to the first 40 starters according to the release. "This program is about rewarding...

The Alberta Thoroughbred industry was celebrated at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino on the evening of May 5 as over 130 Alberta Thoroughbred breeders, owners, trainers, and backstretch workers joined to honor Alberta's best. "In 2022, Alberta horse racing moved forward from the pandemic and began the recovery process with reasons for optimism on many fronts," said Master of Ceremonies Ken Gee on behalf of Horse Racing Alberta Chief Executive Officer Kent Verlik. "An exciting accomplishment was the long-term funding agreement signed by Horse Racing Alberta and the Alberta Government...

After two years of a virtual format, Alberta's Night of Champions will be held in person Friday, May 6 at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino in Nisku, Alberta. The Night of Champions is an annual event that celebrates the achievements of the Alberta Thoroughbred industry in the previous season with award winners announced in a variety of categories such as Leading Breeder, Leading Alberta Bred and Horse of the Year. This year's gala evening, dinner and awards presentation will be held in the Paddock Room at Century Mile beginning with...

The total Thoroughbred allocation for the Horse Racing Alberta Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program has increased by 19% to $1,886,660 this year from $1,581,465 in 2021. Breeders' will share in total Breeders' Support of $472,830, which includes an additional $132,598 over last year's amount of $340,232. In 2021, the highest breeders' bonus paid out was $41,850 and the average breeders' bonus was $3,658. A total of $472,830 is available in Owners' Breeding Support, which includes $100,000 to fund the purses of Alberta bred restricted races. The 2022 funding for both Breeders'...