The checkered wagon is rolling into the Calgary Stampede with the top bid.
Defending champion Jason Glass, from High River, earned the highest bid at the 45th annual Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Canvas Auction on a record-setting night on April 10 at the Big Four Roadhouse.
“A fantastic sale,” said Glass, in a WPCA release. “With what’s going on in the world today, it’s amazing the sport of chuckwagon racing has the support of Alberta and the local community and companies that we do, and it’s been ongoing for a lot of years.”
Long considered an economic barometer for the Calgary region, the canvas auction indicated signs remain positive locally amid global trade tensions.
The auction saw the highest average bid in the history of the event reach $142,222.22, shattering last year’s totals by nearly $27,000. The total of $3.84 million ranks third in auction history.
Glass’ bid of $230,000 to Birchliff Energy Ltd. topped last year’s highest sale by $20,000.
“Each year everybody kind of wonders where it’s going to go and it’s just amazing as a wagon driver that people really appreciate the western heritage and what these horses can (do) and the fans and just the whole enjoyment of watching such a unique sport,” Glass added. “It really is amazing that we have the support that we do have.”
Foothills County driver Dayton Sutherland, the top rookie at last year’s Rangeland Derby and a champion outrider on Glass’ crew, earned a sale of $135,000 to Truman Homes.
Twenty-four of the 27 drivers eclipsed $100,000 in canvas sales.
The 2025 Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Races presented by Play Alberta run July 4-13 at GMC Stadium on the Stampede Grounds.
For more information, go to calgarystampede.com.
