Alberta

Purses and breeders' incentives in Alberta will get a boost this year as a result of higher-than-expected revenues, Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) announced Tuesday. HRA is recommending a $400,000 increase to the 2024 purse allocation and a $120,000 increase to the 2024 Breed Incentive Program (BIP). The proposal was approved by the HRA Board of Directors on May 24. "We are excited to share this good news with the Alberta horse racing industry," said Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Racing Alberta. "Purses in 2024 will be increased by...

Current Alberta division members of the CTHS with mares that have not foaled in either 2023 or 2024 will be eligible for additional funding per a release from the CTHS. Members will receive $2,500 if the foal is sired by a stallion standing in Alberta and $1,500 if sired by an out-of-province stallion. Yearlings from the program will be eligible for the 2026 Alberta Thoroughbred Sale with the cost of sales entry fees covered by the CTHS. Members can visit the CTHS Alberta website for additional information.

GSW Cape Canaveral (Mr. Prospector--Seaside Attraction, by Seattle Slew) passed away at age 26 at Highfield Stock Farm in Canada, where he stood for 14 years. He had been battling severe cellulitis and was humanely euthanized. He was pensioned last fall. Cape Canaveral has been one of the leading sires in Canada since 2008 with 20 crops of racing age, 541 foals, 429 starters, 21 black-type winners, 315 winners of 1,080 races and earnings of over $17.8 million. Out of GI Kentucky Oaks winner Seaside Attraction, Cape Canaveral raced for...

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division) outlined the new Mare Recruitment Program (MRP) offering incentives to mare owners who bring an in-foal mare to Alberta to foal in 2022. The criteria for the MRP program are: Breeders will receive a C$750 incentive for each in-foal mare brought to Alberta. The in-foal mare must not have foaled in Alberta in 2020-21. Mares that were eligible for the HBPA Mare Purchase Program are not eligible for the Program. Maiden mares are eligible for the MRP upon proof that mare resided outside...

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'...