We may be talking about horse racing – and, more specifically, the opportunity members of the public will soon have to bid on and buy one of nearly 100 yearling thoroughbreds up for auction at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society of BC’s (CTHS) annual Yearling & Mixed Sale, Tuesday, September 9, 2014, at Langley’s Thunderbird Show Park – but Mike Heads of the BC Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association is, at least for the time being, sticking to hockey analogies.
“I find it’s very useful in describing the concept of thoroughbred ownership, particularly to people who haven’t attended this event in the past or may be new to the sport of horse racing altogether,” he said. “Basically, it’s sort of like a hockey draft – except you get to choose the number 1 draft pick.”
Involved in the CTHS Yearling & Mixed Sale for a number of years now, Heads calls the horses, which hail from breeders across British Columbia, “the racing stars of tomorrow.”
“At one years [old], these yearlings are blank canvases, which is perfect when you’re talking about developing a winning race horse,” he explains, adding that many successful B.C.-bred racehorses have been purchased from the Sale in the past.
Some of these winning animals include: 2012 Horse of the Year Taylor Said, who was purchased in 2009 for $10,000 and went on to win over $260,000 in prize money; last year’s Champion Older Horse, Champion Sprinter; and Horse of the Year, Herbie D, who has won over $330,000 to date in such prestigious races as the 2013 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs near Seattle.
In fact, that particular win by Herbie D marked the second consecutive year that a B.C.-bred and CTHS Yearling & Mixed Sale graduate won the Longacres Mile.
In addition to the quality of the yearlings for sale, there are other enticing reasons to attend this year’s event: not only does each horse sold come with a complimentary gift bag, buyers will have a one in six chance of winning up to $5,000 toward their purchased horse. Plus, everyone who comes out to either the Sale or to view prospective champions at the Yearling Parade & Preview at the Thunderbird Show Park on Monday, September 8, at 3 p.m., can enter for a chance to win a VIP trip for two to this year’s ultimate racing event – the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Park in California.
Of course, the top incentive to become a thoroughbred racehorse owner could be the potential to win major purse money. Though Heads says it costs about $2,500 a month, on average, to train and maintain a thoroughbred racehorse, he also points out that owners have a shot at hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash prizes from various races.
“Of course, you may not win every race you enter but … who knows? If you pick the right horse, anything is possible,” he says.
Last year, local buyers paid, on average, just shy of $15,000 per yearling. According to Heads, interested parties may purchase a horse on their own or – for a more affordable option – as a group of as many as five or even 10 different partners.
“It’s up to each individual bidder,” he says, adding that the type of people who turn out to the event ranges as well. “There are many buyers who are really invested and interested in the sport already, but that’s not always the case. Maybe you’ve just been thinking about buying a horse lately – well, this is a great place to purchase.”
No matter one’s knowledge of racing, every interested party will have an opportunity to meet with knowledgeable trainers at the event who can provide more information and background on each horse, point out the best prospects and discuss details of ownership.
Interested buyers – individuals and partners alike – are also encouraged to attend a free information session organized by the CTHS on Wednesday, September 3, starting at 6pm at The Derby Bar and Grill, 115-17637 1st Avenue, Surrey. The session will cover ownership options, syndicates, what to expect and how to read the CTHS Sale catalogue, among other topics. Call 604-536-2878 for more details and to reserve a spot.
Meantime, Heads gives some final, compelling reasons for racehorse ownership.
“Being a part of the horseracing community in B.C. and the Lower Mainland is a bonus,” he says. “It’s a tightknit group, with a lot of camaraderie. We really encourage and cheer each other on – no matter how much we want our own horse to win.”
When your horse does win, he says, “There’s no feeling like it.”
“It’s a lot like having your kid win on the ice rink,” he says, returning to his favourite analogy. “As an owner, your horse really becomes part of your family.”
