BC Derby Winning Owner Peter Redekop Pays Top Price at CTHS Yearling Sale

NHL's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Buys Chestnut Filly

VANCOUVER, Sept. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Legendary horse owner Peter Redekop obviously believes in keeping the wheels of commerce spinning when it comes to the thoroughbred racing industry.

Within 48 hours of winning the Grade 3 $200,000 BC Derby at Hastings Racecourse on Sunday, Sept. 9, Redekop was one of the most active buyers at Tuesday's CTHS (BC) Yearling & Mixed Sale at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, B.C.

Redekop, trainer Craig MacPherson and jockey Richard Hamel celebrated a stunning upset Derby win by Second City, who beat Glen Todd's heavily favoured three-horse entry of Devil Disguise, Hoist and Taylors Deal, finishing second, third and fourth in that order.

It was Redekop's second career BC Derby victory. He won it with Squire Jones in 1994.  Redekop went searching for future talent at the CTHS Sale and purchased a chestnut colt from the Red Rock Farms consignment for $118,000.  In total, Redekop spent $219,500 at the Sale where 83 horses sold for total proceeds of $1,341,100.

The top buyers were once again Nick and Pauline Felicella.  They purchased four horses at a total of $341,000, including a Canmor Farms consignment for $111,000 and a half sister to Taylor Said consigned by Can-A-Mex Farms and Linda and Clive Lytie.

FIRST-TIME PURCHASE FOR NHL'S NUGENT-HOPKINS

A buzz went through the packed Thunderbird Show Park when Burnaby native Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of Edmonton Oilers fame purchased Hip #21 consigned by agent Mike Anderson.

"I wasn't sure I would be buying," the Oilers' first overall selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft said.  "But when I got to the sale (trainer) Barb Heads showed me this chestnut filly that I fell in love with. When Barb handed me her bidding card to close the purchase at $27,000, it was quite a thrill."

Between the 67^th running of the BC Derby and the CTHS Sale, it was a successful whirlwind of activity for the horse racing industry in British Columbia.

With six stakes races on the card and purses totaling more than $600,000, Raj Mutti, Regional General Manager, BC Racing, was pleased to announce a 21 per cent increase in the total handle compared to last year's BC Derby Day. Mutti said it was the highest Derby Day handle in the past 10 years.

Hastings Racecourse & Slots is located in Vancouver, B.C. and features live and simulcast wagering, vibrant slot gaming floor, numerous dining options, private and public event facility rental opportunities, spectacular views of the North Shore Mountains and outstanding guest service.

SOURCE: Hastings Racecourse

Howard Blank, 604.512.6066