A yearling sale like no other

The big money will be looking at one horse in particular in the annual Manitoba’s CTHS Yearling Sale this Sunday at Assiniboia Downs, but there could be a diamond in the rough anywhere in this sale, which is packed with quality and more horses than usual this year.

Hip #32, a bay gelding by Speculating out of multiple Manitoba champion and Horse of the Year Hidden Grace, consigned by Ziprick Thoroughbreds, is expected to be the sales topper on Sunday, but you never know what can happen once the action starts.

The sale takes place in a different location this year, at the new CTHS Sale Pavilion in the Assiniboia Downs backstretch, and the first yearling goes through the ring at 2:30 p.m. Viewing of the yearlings began at noon Friday and there will be numerous others who attract attention.

“We’ve got 41 hips in the sale, 13 more than last year,” said CTHS Director Wayne King, who serves as chair of the yearling sale. The increase in the number of yearlings offered is directly tied to an innovative breeding incentive program created in partnership with the Manitoba Jockey Club. “This is the first crop that would have been subscribed to that program,” said King.

The program targets new breeding stock to the region by offering substantial financial incentives, $3,000 when the foal is registered with the Jockey Club prior to its one-year-old season, plus an additional $1,000 if the mare is bred back to a stallion subscribed to the Manitoba Sire program.

“It’s a complete win-win for our entire industry,” said King. “These horses are staying here 12 months a year. They’re racing here for six or seven months a year, but then they’re on a farm in Manitoba for the remaining time. The farms are buying feed from Manitoba farmers, the people looking after the horses are from Manitoba.” And the list of connected jobs and spinoffs for Manitoba goes on and on.

The quality of the pedigrees in this year’s sale is exceptional. “Out of the 41 hips, 23 of the first dams were former Assiniboia Downs runners,” said King. “Which means that we’ve re-careered 23 horses from racing to breeding. And we have 11 hips that are either full- or half-siblings to former champions at Assiniboia Downs.

Hip #7, also consigned by Ziprick Thoroughbreds, will get his own share of heavy looks, and could also attract the big bucks. The bay gelding by Speculating out of stakes winner She’s Regal is a half-brother to champion and Horse of the Year No Show No Call, the leading money earner at Assiniboia Downs in 2024. And there are numerous others in the sale with stakes connections.

Hip #37, consigned by Dr. Betty Hughes, is by Vengeful Wildcat and is a full brother to Bankin On Betty, Manitoba’s champion two-year-old filly in 2021. Hip #15, consigned by Fouillard Family Thoroughbreds, is by Speculating, and is a full-brother to Twolefttoload, who recently won the $40,000 R.C. Anderson Stakes.

Speculating scored a double in the Manitoba-bred filly stakes this year, as another of his daughters, Nikkitysplit, won the $40,000 Hazel Wright Sire Stakes. Nikkitysplit’s half-brother by Nonios is also in this year’s sale as Hip #8, consigned by breeder Jerry Lambert and Lynn Mathews.

The sale features direct relations to the winners of every two-year-old stakes race offered at Assiniboia Downs. “There’s going to be siblings to horses that have won the Debutante, the Graduation, the CTHS Sales Stakes, the Osiris, the Winnipeg Futurity, and the Buffalo Stakes,” said King.

“And the restricted stakes program is as strong as it’s ever been. The leading money earner at Assiniboia last year was a Manitoba-bred who made more money than the Manitoba Derby winner. No Show No Call made over $100,000 last year. It makes sense to buy a Manitoba-bred.”

The lifetime bonus program and restricted stakes opportunities make these horses attractive investments for both local and outside buyers.

Other yearlings that will attract eyeballs in this year’s sale include Hip #2, a full-sister to local champion Mechanic Susie consigned by Larry Falloon, who bred the romping winner of Wednesday’s $40,000 CTHS Sales Stakes, Mighty Mikee. Hip #10, a daughter of Nonios consigned by Arnason Farms, is a half-sister to $377,688 earner and Snow Chief Stakes winner Our Silver Oak. Hip #22, consigned by 2 Points Ranch, is a daughter of Speculating who is a half-sister to $317,016 earner Lenny K, who placed in the Thorncliffe Stakes at Woodbine.

Sunday’s sale promises excitement for both seasoned buyers and newcomers to the game. While all eyes will be on star power horses, smart money knows that champions can come from anywhere in the catalogue.

The best Manitoba-bred of all time, Sovereign Award-winning Canadian Champion mare Escape Clause, was a $5,000 yearling sale purchase. Multiple stakes-winner and $670,092 earner Fancy As was bought for only $3,200 in the sale. Will you find something as fancy as Escape Clause?

You have 41 chances.