Back Alley Denali Wins a Street Fight

Mail

CTHS BC • September 25, 2018

By Mark Johnson

Three-year-old gelding Back Alley Denali ran a strong, stalking type race under jockey Denis Araujo, to break his maiden in a $50,000 Maiden Optional Claiming tilt traveling 1 1/16 miles around a wet fast Hastings oval in the 3rd race on September 23. He broke well and maintained position just behind a good pace set by Lady Larue, made his move on the far side to gain the lead then determinedly held off the hard charging pair of Speculator and Chef. Back Alley Denali is owned by Willow Creek Farms and he was trained to his first lifetime victory by Deirdre Bell. He was bred in BC by Suzanne Anderson, sired by Mass Market and is out of the Finality mare, Dancing Dalia. Her only other foal to race is a full brother to Back Alley Denali, four-time winner Off the Grid.

< Older Post Newer Post >

BC BREEDERS' BANTER

By CTHS BC • January 15, 2026

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE CTHS BC BOARD OF DIRECTORS by Dave Pihl, President CTHS BC Division

NOT BOURBON PASSES

By CTHS BC • January 10, 2026

Not Bourbon (Not Impossible – Bourbon Belle) passed away on December 28, 2025, at the age of 20. Bred and owned by Charles Fipke and trained by Roger Attfield, Not Bourbon was an exceptional racehorse whose accomplishments earned him a place in Canadian racing history. During his career on the track, Not Bourbon captured some of the nation’s most prestigious races, including the Queen’s Plate, Plate Trial, Queenston Stakes, and Overskate Stakes. As a two-year-old, he showed early promise by winning the Bull Page Stakes and setting a track record for six furlongs at Woodbine. Over the course of three racing seasons, Not Bourbon earned more than one million dollars, and his outstanding three-year-old campaign was recognized with a Sovereign Award. Retired to stud, Not Bourbon went on to become a champion sire in Ontario, further cementing his legacy in the breeding shed. In 2020, he relocated to British Columbia, standing his first season at Emerald Acres in Aldergrove, before moving to Flying Horse Farm in West Kelowna, where he continued to make a meaningful contribution to the provincial breeding industry. Not Bourbon will be remembered for his talent as a racehorse and his contributions to breeding in both Ontario and British Columbia.