Hastings' Weekly Winter Round-Up
Tariffs are on everybody's mind at present and the CTHS National office has issued information for anyone considering importing from or exporting horses to the U.S.
Members Notice Regarding Impending Tariffs
On March 4, 2025, the U.S. enacted a 25% blanket tariff on all Canadian goods entering the country. While the measure has been tabled until April 2, if implemented, it will apply to purebred breeding and racing animals, including live horses, each time they cross the border.
To help members understand the impact of these tariffs on the Canadian Thoroughbred industry, the CTHS has received documentation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and our border broker network. While the situation remains fluid and details are still emerging, we will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
EXPORTING TO THE U.S.
Mares for Breeding
If the mare was born (“originated”) in the U.S., the tariff does not apply.
If the mare was born (“originated”) in another country, the tariff applies and must be paid upon entry into the U.S.
A Temporary Entry permit is available for 30 days from the date of crossing. This requires cash to secure a bond equal to the tariff value, and the owner must provide proof of the mare’s value. If the mare returns to Canada within 30 days, the owner can request a refund of the bond from the U.S. government. However, proof of re-entry — such as a border services date stamp — will be required.
If the mare is accompanied by a foal born in Canada, the foal will also be subject to the 25% tariff or require a separate Temporary Entry permit if returning to Canada within the 30 day period.
Horses for Sale and Racing
If the horse is intended to be sold in the U.S. at auction or by private sale and was born in the U.S. (“originated”) the tariff would not apply.
If the horse was born (“originated”) in Canada, the tariff applies and must be paid upon entry into the U.S.
A Temporary Entry permit is available for 30 days from the date of crossing. This requires cash to secure a bond equal to the tariff value, along with proof of the horse’s value.
If the horse is not sold and returns to Canada within 30 days, the owner can request a refund of the bond from the U.S. government. However, proof of re-entry — such as a border services date stamp — will be required.
IMPORTING INTO CANADA
In response to the U.S. tariffs, Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs affecting approximately $30-billion worth of goods imported into Canada. While the initial round of tariffs did not apply to purebred breeding and racing animals, including live horses, it is likely that future rounds may include such tariffs, mirroring those imposed by the U.S.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has indicated that purebred breeding animals (including live horses) could be included in a second round of tariffs. A complete list of potentially affected goods is available here.
Currently, a 21-day public comment period is underway for these proposed countermeasures, with feedback accepted until March 25, 2025. We strongly encourage all industry stakeholders to submit their input through this form and request an exemption to the Canadian tariffs for purebred breeding and racing animals.
Ongoing Updates & Industry Support
At this time, we do not have definitive confirmation of the full implications of these tariffs for the Thoroughbred industry. The CTHS will remain in close contact with industry stakeholders and government representatives to obtain the most accurate and up-to-date information.
The CTHS strongly advises all members crossing the border to utilize the services of a professional commercial carrier or a U.S. Customs broker to ensure compliance with regulations and facilitate a smooth entry process.
We recognize the financial and logistical challenges these tariffs may impose and will continue to provide updates as more concrete details become available. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and encourage members to reach out if you have relevant information, insights, or experiences related to this issue.
For further inquiries or to share your feedback, please contact the CTHS National Office:
P: (416) 675-1370
E: info@cthsnational.com
Infinite Patience Scanned in Foal
Some welcome news reaches us from back east in Kentucky, with confirmation that B.C.’s reigning Horse of the Year INFINITE PATIENCE has been scanned in foal at 14 days to HARD SPUN. Now in the sole ownership of hockey star Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the eight-year-old daughter of SUNGOLD reportedly “caught” on a first cover by the sire. She is now scheduled to remain in Kentucky for a period before, all being well, eventually heading back to B.C. later in the year.
A stalwart of Darley America’s stallion roster, the 21-year-old HARD SPUN has sired 15 G1 winners and remains a potent source of high-quality runners. The sire, who along with WAR FRONT is among the last sons of the legendary DANZIG still at stud, stands at $25,000.
Regally-bred Gelding Joins MacPherson Barn
By Nigel Reid,
With spring training now fully underway at Hastings, trainer Craig MacPherson has recently welcomed a blue-blooded addition to his powerful barn in the shape of seven-year-old British-bred gelding, MASEN.
A son of the Champion European miler KINGMAN (Invincible Spirit), Masen was purchased out of a Fasig-Tipton Digital Sale last May for $80,000 by MacPherson’s owner, Nicole Droder, and joins the horse population in Vancouver as part of Droder’s ongoing desire to support racing in the province.
MacPherson said: “We’re excited to have a horse like MASEN with us and much credit goes to the owner for demonstrating such a spirit of adventure, as well as showing tremendous support to racing at Hastings. So far, he’s been a straightforward horse to deal with and we’re looking forward to seeing how he adapts to Hastings and, of course, to the dirt.”
Touched-off by a nose in the 2022 Grade 1, Maker’s Mark Mile, where he was beaten by the Roger Attfield trained, Charles Fipke-owned-and-bred globetrotter, SHIRL’S SPEIGHT, MASEN began his career in Ireland, winning a Stakes contest at Leopardstown before switching to the U.S., where he was trained by Chad Brown for his owner-breeder, Prince Khalid bin Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms.
MASEN’s transatlantic move, which saw him go on to land the Black Type Seek Again Stakes at Belmont, before annexing the Grade 3 Poker Stakes at the same track a month later, is reminiscent of the same journey made by his granddam; the Eclipse Award-Winning INTERCONTINENTAL (Danehill).
Another brilliant graduate of Juddmonte’s breeding program, INTERCONTINENTAL began her career in France with the legendary André Fabre, where she was among the best of her generation and finished third in the English 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. However, despite winning at Allowance and Listed level and running well in the highest company, she didn’t quite manage to land a Group contest and was sent west to join the equally legendary Bobby Frankel.
From there, the full-sister to former Canadian Horse of the Year, CHAMPS ELYSEES and US and European Champion Turf mare BANKS HILL, went from strength to strength. Landing an Allowance contest at Santa Anita on her US debut, Intercontinental progressed to win eight more times, with all the victories coming at Graded Stakes level and culminating in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf – uniquely, also a race won by her full-sister, BANKS HILL.
INTERCONTINENTAL’s dam, the remarkable HASILI, produced five Grade 1 winners and three Champions. She was English Broodmare of the Year in 2006 and Owner Breeder International Magazine’s Broodmare of the year in 2004 and 2005. HASILI’s granddam SOOKERA (Roberto) was Irish Champion juvenile filly in 1977 and was eventually designated a Reine-de-Course broodmare, producing eight winners from 13 named foals. She was bred in partnership by the British Bloodstock Agency and Robert Sangster and was subsequently sold to Juddmonte before retiring to the paddocks.
You can read more about INTERCONTINENTAL and her Juddmonte family by visiting Avalyn Hunter’s American Classic Pedigrees website. Just click on the button below:
Don’t Forget!
Jack & Sadie Diamond Early Nominations
Deadline for the Futurity Mare-In Foal/Foals Nomination is
April 1, 2025.
Deadline for the Futurities Sustaining Fee Payment is
April 1, 2025
Forms are available in the race office, or via email from Scott Henson (Scott.Henson@greatcanadian.com) or Cristan Gossen (cristan@bctoba.com)
‘Love’ Wins Out Once More
BC-bred LOVEABOVEANDBEYOND, a leading Hastings’ juvenile in 2022, returned to winning ways at Turf Paradise this week, a month after her St Valentine’s Day victory at the same venue. The win made it a remarkable five Turf Paradise victories from five starts since arriving in Arizona last year for the Ralph Jesiak-bred daughter of Counterforce. Now trained by Marvin Buffalo, Loveaboveandbeyond is another durable performer out of the Tejabo mare, INTERROGAR (also bred by Jesiak) and is consequently a half-sister to the likes of 13-time winner, ASSETS INCLUDED (Rosberg). Interrogar was out of the Ontario-bred ALWAYS A STAR (Sunny’s Halo), a Maiden Special Weight winner at Hastings for Peter Redekop when it was Exhibition Park and who also finished third in the Cinderella Stakes.
Don’t Forget Sale Entries!
Don’t forget, if you are thinking of nominating a horse for the planned Sale of Horses of Racing Age, you need to enter AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Entries should be made through Mike Heads, who can be contacted on tel: 604-309-6509. There is an entry fee of $100 payable for each horse.
Horses of Racing Age – Sponsored by Thoroughbred Racing BC
After multiple requests for a spring sale of race horses, the Thoroughbred Racing BC has decided to sponsor a sale of horses of racing age on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
1. Entry fee - $100 to cover any costs associated with the sale.
2. Expressions of interest and payment of the entry fee must be made by March 22. This will ensure that we have enough stock to proceed with a sale.
3. Location – we expect to hold it near, or in, the paddock at Hastings Park.
4. There will be no commission charged on any sale.
5. It will be up to the consignor to set a reserve or not.
6. There will be an opportunity to watch each horse gallop and a chance to inspect the horses prior to the sale.
Hastings’ Fresh Horse Program
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Saturday, March 14
