History was made at the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) Yearling Sale on Sunday, Sept. 24. Held for the first time at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino in Edmonton, the event kicked off on Sept. 23 with a pre-sale viewing followed by an ASHA hosted owners appreciation dinner. 

You could feel the energy and anticipation in the room as Don McDougall, President of ASHA, and John Hind, Secretary Treasurer, addressed the crowd. Kent Verlik, CEO of Horse Racing Alberta, formally was on hand to kick off the auction with opening remarks. He addressed the energetic crowd and spoke to the tremendous progress and momentum of Standardbred horse racing in the province.

Strutsville, Hip 36, topped the sale and was purchased for $132,000 by Nancy Retzlaff and nephew Derek Stout of Camrose, Alta., making her the highest selling filly in the history of ASHA yearling sales. Bred and consigned by Surdale Farms of Kelowna B.C., the stunning filly sired by Huntsville is out of the Western Ideal mare, Strut My Stuff. Retzlaff's brother-in-law is trainer Doug Stout, who is delighted to have the classy filly join Stout Stables. 

Not far behind was Hip 11, Zelensky Rules, a bay colt by Captaintrecharous out of the Bettors Delight mare, Luck Be A Lindy. He was consigned by Gigi Van Ostrand of Okotoks, Alta., and purchased by Bob Jones of Stony Plain, Alta. for $130,000.

ASHA has reported that a total of 50 yearlings were sold for $1,201,200 (excluding buybacks), a 17 per cent increase over last year’s sale and highest in the history of both ASHA and Western Canada yearling sales. The average sales price of $24,024 was 35 per cent higher than the previous year.

Surdale Farms of Kelowna B.C. was the top consignor of the sale, selling nine yearlings for a total of $428,000 and average selling price of $47,556. Surdale yearlings included Hip 36 Strutsville, the sale topper, and Hip 65 Threecurtaincalls, a second Huntsville sired filly out of the Rock N Roll Heaven mare, Encore Deo, sold to J J J Stables for $90,000.

Gigi Van Ostrand sold four yearlings for a total of $300,000 and average selling price of $75,000. Van Ostrand’s yearlings included Hip 11 Zelensky Rules, highest selling colt in the history of ASHA yearling sales; Hip 58 Crown The Dragon, a Custard The Dragon filly out of the Yankee Cruiser mare, Contesta Hanover, sold to Bob Jones for $66,000; and Hip 20 McMiracle, a McWicked sired filly out of the No Pan Intended mare, Panagler, sold to Brandon Campbell for $60,000.

ASHA would like to thank all of the breeders, noting that the quality of the stock at this year’s sale was unmatched and reflected in the final numbers. ASHA also would like to thank all of the staff at Century Mile Racetrack & Casino and Perlich Bros. auctioneers for making the 2023 sale a remarkable, record-setting success.   

ASHA, in conjunction with its industry partners, would like to congratulate all consignors on their tremendous efforts and wishes the purchasers much prosperity and success. 

For complete sale results, click here.

(With files from ASHA; Photo, left to right, of Bobbi Jo MacMillan of Surdale Farms, Derek Stout, Kelly MacMillan of Surdale Farms and Nancy Retzlaff)