The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association held their 2014 Yearling Sale this past afternoon in Olds, AB. The ASHA sale was a huge success which showed the optimism that Alberta Harness racing will be revitalized. It was great to see such a large crowd with a lot of bidding action going on. It appears we are starting to see the confidence coming back to our industry.

Lots of excitement surrounded the event with the Sales results. There were some very impressive looking individuals which reflected in the purchase prices and 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. The sale confirmed the often said statement that if the horses look the part, they’ll bring the money.

A total of 54 yearlings were sold for $646,400, nearly double the total sales from last year and producing an average price of $11,970 which is approximately 20% higher than 2013. Last year, the average yearling price was $10,027 selling for a total of $351,000. 

On behalf of President Norm 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. We look forward to a promising harness racing industry going forward.

"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."

Sale Topper “Green Rider” Brings $40,000

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, SK. 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 who is 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 and bred by Meridian Farms. The colt is sired by Allamerican Navajo and is the first foal out of the Cams Card Shark mare Starring Role ($156,005 – 1:53.4). 

ASHA Yearling Sale Results