Prospective purchasers will be treated to a high quality offering of yearlings during the annual Prince Edward Island Colt Stakes Sale being held at the Charlottetown Civic Centre on September 17. A total of 54 colts will be auctioned off, and Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill said the resurgence in the Maritime harness racing industry has resulted in a renewed confidence among breeders and buyers.
"The involvement of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, along with the efforts of harness racing tracks and horseowners, has led to a major turnaround in the harness racing industry, " said Mr. Hammill. "There is every reason to be optimistic about the future of harness racing in this region."
Mr. Hammill said that purses have been higher this season, and the Atlantic Sire Stakes paid out approximately $1.0 million this year, compared to $675,000 just two years ago. He said the continued involvement of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation will help to stabilize and strengthen the industry.
Mr. Hammill has been visiting the farms of a number of breeders over the past several days, and saw some of the top yearlings to be offered in the sale. "I am very impressed with the steady improvement in quality, and that is a tribute to the efforts of breeders who, despite past uncertainty in the industry, continued to make the investments in time, money and better genetics to produce high quality yearlings," he said. "Every year we are seeing improvements in quality, and that is demonstrated by the fact that a number of two year old track records have been broken this year."
The minister said that although the number of colts being offered for sale this year is lower, quality is better than ever before, and breeders should see their efforts rewarded.
For more information contact: Kent Oakes at (902) 368-5253