Vancouver, BC (September 6/2022) – CTHS-BC Interim President Dairen Edwards says it with conviction when he suggests there has never been a better time than the present to purchase a yearling in British Columbia.

Potential horse owners get that opportunity when auctioneer Don Raffan calls things to order Thursday of this week at 3 p.m. for the 2022 CTHS-BC Yearling & Mixed Sale at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley.

Edwards, a successful thoroughbred owner himself along with his wife Tia and daughter Makayla at Willow Creek Farms, has been delighted with the positive results for so many BC-bred runners this season.

Dairen is quick to point out that while the success of BC-breds has been outstanding, the incentives to encourage potential buyers have never been more generous. Anyone purchasing a BC-bred yearling receives an immediate rebate of $1,500 and will qualify for an additional 35% bonus on purse money for four years up to 2026.

Also, BC-bred yearlings purchased at this year’s Sale will have an additional 15% added to BC-bred bonuses in selected races to make a 50% bump in prize money for qualifying graduates running in their two-year-old and three-year-old seasons.

While the actual Yearling & Mixed Sale goes Thursday, the traditional Yearling Preview of BC-breds catalogued for auction is set for Wednesday at Thunderbird Show Park, also at 3 p.m. 

TWO STAKES WINS BACK-TO-BACK

MAKE FOR ONE HAPPY BREEDER

Ralph Jesiak, Vice-President of CTHS-BC and long-time breeder, was in ‘horse heaven’ at Hastings Racecourse Monday afternoon, August 22.

It was a highly uncommon occurrence when Jesiak and his wife Marilyn surfaced in the winner’s circle as victorious breeders of consecutive $50,000 Stakes.

The action began with Buck in Command winning the fifth race by a neck in the CTHS Sales Stake for 2-year-old colts & geldings and Loveaboveandbeyond capturing the CTHS Sales Stake for 2-year-old fillies in the sixth.

Buck in Command by Second in Command-Rosesforgrace (Rosberg) paid $51.30 to win after fending off a late surge by favorite Legacy Square. Buck in Command, ridden by Scott Williams, is owned by Joe and Gloria Russo and trained by Patty Leaney.

Jockey Efrain Hernandez rode Loveaboveandbeyond by Counterforce-Interrogar (Tejabo) to a three-length win for owner Martin Miller and trainer Mark Cloutier.

After his second CTHS-BC Stakes victory within a half-hour of each other, Ralph Jesiak’s smile wasn’t quite as wide as the Burrard Inlet …  but you get the picture.

BC DERBY & OAKS DAY

RETURNS AFTER TWO-YEAR ABSENCE

Anticipation continues to build for another great day of racing at Hastings with the countdown to the 75^th running of the $125,000 BC Derby drawing closer: Saturday, September 10, just two days after our Yearling & Mixed Sale.

The Grade 3 BC Derby for 3-year-olds this year currently has 14 nominations with the official draw being concluded later in the week.  

BC Derby Day has shared the stage with the BC Oaks since the early 1960’s. Both races were cancelled due to COVID-19 last year and the year before.  Saturday will officially mark the 57^th running of the BC Oaks for 3-year-old fillies with a purse of $75,000.  Also on the star-studded card are the $50,000 Delta Colleen for 3-year-olds & up fillies and mares and the $50,000 S.W. Randall Plate for 3-year-olds & up.