Page 22 - The Game August 2006

22 The Game, August 2006 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Looking for a Way Into the Horse Business?
By Michele Brewster
Exclusive Run, Arctic Laur, Timely Ruckus, Code Name Fred, River Wild, A Shaky Start, Faraway Echo, Shady Remark, Highland Leader, Emotional Freddie, I Want Fifty Three, Tyko Tycoon, Switch N Win, Tecate, Betty J., .. these are just a few of the past sale graduates of the Alberta Thoroughbred Summer Yearling Sale. And all are significant money earners of a combined total of over 5.5 million dollars.
The factors are in place for a strong yearling sale in Alberta, scheduled for August 22 at Northlands Park in Edmonton. An innovative partnership has provided an opportunity to revitalize the racing industry, made possible by the Government of Alberta, Horse Racing Alberta and a renewed vision by all related associations. This is well timed to coincide with the current economic growth in the province.
Add to this the anticipation of construction of a new racing venue north of Calgary, programs such as the Mare Improvement Program and Breeder's Bonuses, the Sales Stakes and new creative marketing and promotions to bring visitors and prospective owners to the tracks. These strategies confirm the goals towards sustainability throughout all levels of thoroughbred breeding in the province. As well, NTRA Purchasing - John Deere and Dodge at (866) 678-4289 or www.ntrapurchasing.com offer incentives to horse owners. Check these programs out. They are terrific sponsors of the sport.
Whenever there is economic growth and optimism, there will be people to buy horses. To have a good horse, to experience the unparalleled thrill of a win, means memories to last a lifetime. Individuals or partnerships who invest in yearlings are looking towards the future - they are optimists. It all starts "on the farm", where even the most humble beginnings can become the stuff of dreams.
Yearlings are the glamour boys and girls, they inspire fantasies of things to come. They provide an excellent way into the racing industry. Many outstanding race horses have been purchased at the Alberta Yearling Sale. Take for instance Alberta's Champion Two Year Old Filly and Horse of the
Year in 2005, Kaylee's Magic, who was sold in the 2004 Yearling Sale.
Breeders from Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, as well as the United States will be represented in the August sale. Included this year are the first foals from the Mare Improvement Program representing the pro-active and visionary planning of the Alberta Division of the Canadian
Thoroughbred Horse Society Board of Directors and staff, under the leadership of Manager Rennie Gellner.
The success of the Alberta Yearling Sale graduates score high marks in the elements that combine to make significant money winners. For instance, Shady Remark, with earnings of over $420,000, is still winning races at eleven years of age. The statistics are available, and speak to the fact.
All it takes to enter a whole new world is one small step ... even a modest investment of time and money opens the door.
Hints for buyers include: Attend the races the week before the sale - watch the Sales Stakes. Look up trainer statistics. Talk to consignors - ask if there is a reserve price. Contact the C.T.H.S. office for a new owner's brochure. There is a wealth of information about pedigrees, confirmation and statistics.
Excitement? Yes. Absolutely. Need one say more?
Woodbine Joins Empire Racing's Team
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG), the operator of one of North America's most successful racing operations, has joined Empire Racing (www.empireracingny.com) and will lend its experience and expertise to the Horsemen-based group and its plans to revitalize New York racing to world class status, particu- larly at the Belmont and Aqueduct racetracks.
WEG operates the Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto and Mohawk Racetrack in Southern Ontario. Both tracks have video lottery gaming under agreements with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
Woodbine also operates extensive off-track wagering operations including WEGz Stadium Bar, a revolutionary off- track wagering experience which delivers horseracing to new fans through a stadium bar atmosphere (www.wegzstadiumbar.com).
Earlier this year, the Ad Hoc Committee on the Future of Racing invited Woodbine to present information on Woodbine's innovative operations, recognizing Woodbine's status as a premier operator in North America.
WEG created and operates an industry leading account wager- ing platform for nearly all of Canada. This convenient, easy-to- use service provides fans with multiple wagering platforms including Internet, phone and wireless applications. The New York State Legislature recently approved Internet-based account wagering in New York.
Exclusively supported by the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Empire Racing represents the interests of the 6,000 owners, trainers, and farmers who provide New York State with $1.4 billion in economic impact, 17,000 jobs and preservation of 44,000 acres of open green space.
The Board of Empire Racing represents a cross-section of New York State-based talent in the fields of racing, breeding, real estate, and hospitality management, including New York-based Delaware North Companies, one of the nation's leading venue management operators. Woodbine will not have representation on the Empire Board but will assist Delaware North in developing a state-of-the art operational plan for Aqueduct and Belmont.
Alberta Thoroughbred SUMMER YEARLING SALE 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
11:00 a.m.
Sportex Building, Northlands Park Edmonton, Alberta
Past Sales Graduates Include:
Exclusive Run - $671,773 Arctic Laur - $634,809 Timely Ruckus - $618,004
Code Name Fred - $470,204 River Wild - $392, 729
A Shaky Start - $382,003
Alberta Division
For More Information call the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division) 403-229-3609
Catalogue available on line at www.cthsalta.ca
All Buyers eligible foratripfor2tothe 2006 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs Nov. 4