Hastings Racecourse will hold a paddock sale featuring two-year-olds in training and horses of racing age on March 26, 2016.

This is the first such offering, and is the result of the “efforts of the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association of British Columbia (HBPA of BC) and the British Columbia Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (BCTOBA),” said Richard Yates, Secretary-Treasurer of HBPA of BC. “It has been strongly supported by the management of Hastings Racecourse, in particular, its General Manager Darren MacDonald.”

According to Yates, “the sale was conceived primarily as a way to put horses in the hands of people wanting to race at Hastings Racecourse, by offering horses that were close to race-ready at a date not far from the season opening. This will reduce risk and expense for those buying in the sale and, hopefully, encourage them to do so.

“The sale will also provide a market for British Columbia breeders to sell two-year-olds and other horses not previously sold, while putting them in the hands of people intending to race at Hastings and generate the significant bonuses that are available to owners of mares that foal in BC.”

In addition, said Yates, it will serve as an event to help focus attention on, and generate excitement for, the upcoming season at Hastings that begins on April 17th.

Check www.hastingshorsesale.com for the sale catalogue. Hardcopies are available at the Hastings Racecourse racing office. A sale preview will be held March 19th.