The 2019 Alberta Standardbred Horse Association Yearling Sale was conducted on Sunday (Sept. 8) at the Olds Regional Exhibition Megadome in Olds, Alta., and a pair of yearlings shared the distinction of wearing the sale-topper crown.
Hip #45, Dodger Blue, a Sportswriter colt out of the Pro Bono Best mare Divine Justice, was acquired by Keith Clark for $45,000. Dodger Blue is the seventh foal out of Divine Justice, who earlier in her broodmare career produced Dixieland Band, who won 22 of his 65 starts, banked $130,296 and won in 1:54.4 over the half-mile course at Red Shores’ Charlottetown Driving Park. Dodger Blue was bred by William Andrew of Calgary, Alta.
Hip #54, Sent By Angels, a Custard The Dragon filly out of the Rock N Roll Heaven mare Bin N Heaven, was also acquired after a bid of $45,000. JJJ Stables was the successful bidder on Sent By Angels, who was bred by Allan Neurauter and James Rhodes, both of High River, Alta. Sent By Angels is the first foal out of Bin N Heaven, who won $123,575 over the course of her career and took a mark of 1:55 over the five-eighths-mile strip at Plainridge Racecourse.
A total of 50 horses went through the sales ring for a gross of $516,700 and average of $10,334. In 2018, 71 horses brought an average of $9,677.80.
ASHA and Meridian Farms were overjoyed to have representatives from three of the “Let the Sun Shine” groups at the sale. Autism Speaks, The Olds and District Hospice Society, and Airdrie Vicitms Services were on hand for the blanket presentation to Lee Ibey, agent for Richard Schneider who purchased Silver Screen.
This spunky filly consigned by Meridian Farms and Dayton Rickard 4-H has been started with a great foundation of care and breeding and is sure to go on to do great things in her career. Silver Screen (Vertical Horizon-Starring Role) spent the past five and half months with Dayton on his family’s farm in Calmar, AB and was part of the Standardbred 4-H project. Dayton is sad to see her go, but would like to wish her new owners the best of luck and would like to thank Bill Andrew and Meridian Farms for their faith in his ability to care for this wonderful filly.
Fellow 4-H member Jenna Bec of High River, AB would also like to thank Dr. James Rhodes and Meridian Farms for their help and for allowing her to care for a filly out of each of their breeding operations. Both members put a tremendous amount of work and heart into the yearlings and the project as a whole.
Rose Robin and 4-H member Jenna Bec, ASHA's Colleen Haining, Silver Screen and 4-H member Dayton Rickard
"The positive climate of Standardbred racing and the optimism of racing participants was clearly evident at this year’s sale and the prices reflected the feeling that racing is once again on the rise in Alberta," said ASHA in a release. "On behalf of ASHA’s President William Andrew and the Board of Directors, we would like to thank all the breeders and the Alberta horsemen for their continued support and the resilience these past few years.
"ASHA and all of the consignors wish the very best of luck to all purchasers. We look forward to seeing your dreams come true as you continue to raise and train these future champions in Standardbred racing."
For more information on the ASHA yearling sale, click here.
To view the results from ASHA’s 2019 yearling sale, click this link or view the PDF which appears below.