The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association held its 2014 Yearling Sale on Monday afternoon in Olds, Alberta, and the sale was a huge success -- showing the optimism within the industry that harness racing in the province will be revitalized.
A total of 54 yearlings were sold for $646,400, nearly double the total sales amount from 2013 and producing an average price of $11,970 which is approximately 20 percent higher than last year. Last year, the average yearling price was $10,027 selling for a total of $351,000.
"We are over the top with excitement with the sales results," said Sales Coordinator Orianna Scheck. "There were some very impressive looking individuals which reflected in the purchase prices. Every yearling that walked in the ring offered something for the buyer. The breeders did an outstanding job in having their yearlings looking great and ready for the ring."
Green Rider, Hip 55 was the sale topper with a final bid of $40,000. Green Rider was purchased by SSG Stable and consigned by long-time breeder Dr. Larry Hanson of Emerald Park, Sask. The handsome bay colt is sired by Mach Three and the first foal out of the Presidential Ball mare Prairie Tracker ($265,800 – 1:52.4).
Hip 41, Jazzy Jay went to Blair Corbeil and Kelly Hoerdt for $38,000. The beautiful daughter of I Zee was consigned by Meridian Farms and is the fifth foal out of the mare Just Sassy ($269,400 – 1:54.1). The filly is a half sister to Big N Bad ($261,126 – 1:51.3), Just Saucy ($81,621 – 1:54.1) and Ghost Pine ($52,635) who just took a track record of 1:51.3 at Alberta Downs on October 5, 2014.
Sudden Storm, Hip 44, rounded out the top three highest priced yearlings of the sale at $30,000 and was purchased by Keith Clark. The colt, bred by Meridian Farms, is sired by Allamerican Navajo and is the first foal out of the Cams Card Shark mare Starring Role ($156,005 – 1:53.4).
"I would say that our sale went extremely well. The first few horses were a little light but once we got rolling, they returned very well," ASHA President Norm Kennedy told Trot Insider. "It's very very important to get back into the Calgary area (with Century Downs scheduled to open in 2015). Looking around here today, we're seeing some of the former owners back picking up a few more horses than they have in the recent past.
"With the new track coming, you can't help but have some enthusiasm."
On behalf of Kennedy and the Board of Directors, ASHA would like to thank all the breeders and the Alberta horsemen for showing the resilience they have had during these past few years. ASHA looks forward to a promising harness racing industry going forward.
(with files from ASHA)