Big Hug is really starting to like the annual Fall Classic races. Saturday she romped in the Alberta Classic Distaff for three and up fillies and mares at Century Mile. Last year she won the Fall Classic Alberta Oaks for three-year-old Alberta-bred fillies. Two years ago she took the Sturgeon River Fall Classic for two-year-old fillies. Three Classic appearances. Three wins. It’s hard to argue with perfection. “She loves the The Fall Classic,” said trainer and co-owner Rick Hedge. “And so do I,” added Hedge, who has won several other Fall Classic races over the years including Regal Max, who won the Beaufort in 2018; Mr. Shadar who took the Red Diamond Express in 2010; CR Jag, who won the Premier’s in 2006 and Beau Brass, whose scintillating career included two Speed to Spare Championships and the Beaufort in 2003.

Promotional video produced by Horse Racing Alberta for the 2024 Alberta Breeders' Fall Classic

Congratulations to the connections of BIG HUG, winner of Race 4 - the $50,000 R.K. Red Smith Handicap on Friday, July 12th. The four year old filly is owned by Empire Equestrian and Kerredge Farm and was bred by Chalet Stable. This win brings her lifetime earnings to CDN $322,201 and 9 wins, 4 seconds and 1 third from 16 starts. Big Hug is the current Champion Alberta Three Year Old Filly and has 2 wins from 3 starts this season. The multiple stakes winner is by Mr. Big out of the Unusual Heat mare, Temeeku.

Century Downs Racetrack and Casino October 16th, 2023 The 27th running of the Alberta Breeders’ Fall Classic day was held on a beautiful, unusually hot September day at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino. Seven stakes races were held with $350,000 in purse money to showcase the best of the Alberta bred runners. The day was highly successful with full fields and a record handle set at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino of $593,000.

Horse Racing Alberta releases the 2023 Alberta Breeders Fall Classic video ahead of race day this Saturday, September 16th!

The 2021 Horse of the Year and Champion Alberta bred Greek Geek won the 2022 Alberta Breeders’ Handicap and has made two starts so far this season. The Misremembered gelding was bred by Moonshine Meadow Ranch and is owned by Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd.

2022 ABFC Sturgeon River Stakes winner BIG HUG went on to win the $100,000 Roy Shellnutt Memorial CTHS Alberta Sales Stake for Two Year Olds on October 8th. This Alberta bred and CTHS Alberta sale graduate has now won all four of her career starts including the Sturgeon River Stakes and the Princess Margaret Stakes. Big Hug was bred by Chalet Stable and consigned to the 2021 CTHS Alberta sale by Stone Ranches. The Mr. Big runner keeps her perfect record of 4-4-0-0 along with over $145,000 in earnings to date for owners Empire Equestrian and Kerredge Farm.

Winners of the 2022 Alberta Breeders' Fall Classic races held at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino on September 10th. Photo credits to Ryan Haynes of Coady Photo Ltd.

The CTHS Alberta sale is a fantastic event in which to look for your next winner! The following four winners of the 2022 Alberta Breeders’ Fall Classic races just held at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino on September 10th were all CTHS Alberta sale graduates. 2018 sale graduate Greek Geek was the winner of the $50,000 Alberta Breeders’ Handicap and is also the current Alberta Horse of the Year, Champion Alberta bred, Champion Sprinter and Champion Older Horse. Big Hug, was purchased at the 2021 sale and has won all three of her career starts including the $50,000 Sturgeon River Stakes. The 2020 sale graduate, Stevie Wonder Girl, just won the $50,000 Alberta Oaks while the seven year old sale graduate, Solo Ring, continued his winning ways with a victory in the $50,000 Red Diamond Express Handicap.