Alberta Distributes CA$721,495 in Breeders' Bonuses

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society's Alberta Division, in partnership with Horse Racing Alberta, announced Dec. 15 that a total of $721,495 (US$523,876, CA$1=US$0.7261) was distributed through the 2025 Breeders' Bonus as part of the Horse Racing Alberta Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program.

A total of $691,495 was awarded to breeders of Alberta-foaled horses of all ages who finished first, second, or third in sanctioned Alberta races with five or more starters that carried a minimum purse of $9,000 and had horses entered at or above a $6,250 claiming price. This year's bonus accounts for 25% of the earnings from all races meeting the eligibility requirements at Alberta racetracks in 2025.

Pierre Esquirol topped the 2025 breeders' bonus list with $91,802 earned. His leading runner, the Cross Traffic filly Hiway Fortynine, delivered eligible earnings of $107,000 from three wins, a second, and two thirds in seven starts. The outstanding 2-year-old captured the Sturgeon River Stakes and the CTHS Alberta Sales Stakes, while also placing in the Freedom of the City Stakes and finishing third in both the Princess Margaret and Kindergarten Stakes. Additional Esquirol-bred bonus earners included: AH Touche, Alberta Ice, Briar's Rose, and others.

Highfield Investment Group finished second with $90,347 in breeders' bonus earnings. Its standout was the Fed Biz colt Relaxgodoitramone, who amassed $122,800 in eligible earnings and secured four wins, including the Canadian Juvenile Stakes, Alberta Premier's Futurity, and the CTHS Alberta Sales Stakes. Other key contributors to Highfield's successful season included Cape Comander, Rumohr Reigns, Absolut John, Flash for Dani, and others.

Stone Ranches was the third-leading breeder by bonus earnings at $43,019. Their Speightster gelding Itsallgoodman recorded the best season of his career, with victories in the black-type Spangled Jimmy Handicap, Red Diamond Express Handicap, and the CTHS Alberta Sales Stakes. He finished 2025 with $143,500 in eligible earnings from five wins, two seconds, and one third in 10 starts.

The Horse Racing Alberta Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program introduced this year a North American bonus, which made $30,000 available for breeders of Alberta-foaled horses placing in eligible allowance races over $40,000 and Stakes races over $50,000 at racetracks outside Alberta. The program paid a 20% bonus to these breeders. A total of $8,472 was earned through this incentive in 2025, with the remaining funds added back into the main breeders' bonus pool.

Boe and Janet Stone earned a $2,652 bonus for the success of their runner The Wright Way, whose season included a second in the CTHS Sales Stakes and a third in the Debutante Stakes at Assiniboia Downs.