In another record-breaking year, the annual Calgary Stampede canvas auction crushed last year’s total by $2.23 million, with contributions averaging at $225,000. 

Hosted at The Big Four Roadhouse on the evening of April 9, the Rangeland Derby event raised $6.07 million from successful bidders who claimed their advertising spot on a chuckwagon. The figure surpassed the former record year, 2012, which totalled to $4.01 million. 

Companies with the winning responsibility as an advertiser are given the opportunity to host others and enjoy exclusive experiences at Stampede Park during the 10-day event, which runs from July 3 to 12 this year.

Rae Croteau Jr. was handed the highest bid, with $550,000 in funding for what will be his 20th season at the Calgary Stampede. Croteau Jr. said that the win means that he has big shoes to fill. 

“It’s time to win,” he said. 

“I’m a competitive person, we’ve got to put pen to paper and rock and roll.”

Croteau Jr. said that he shared a word with legendary driver Kelly Sutherland before the event. 

“I talked to him tonight, and I said, ‘I’m going to beat your record,’” said Croteau Jr. 

“He said, ‘It’ll be good for the sport.’”

Added bidders aided in record-breaking funds

President and chair of the Calgary Stampede board, Stuart O’Connor, said that even with the broken record being the biggest takeaway from the event, the eight new bidders proved that interest in chuckwagon racing is growing. 

“That is a reflection of the support for chuckwagon racing,” he said. 

Owners of both Bar L5 Ranch and MVA Group of Companies, Heidi and Darren Lindgren, delivered the astonishing bid to Croteau Jr. However, the pair didn’t stop there, as they also funded Chance Flad and Layne Flad at $125,000 and $180,000, respectively. 

Based in Aldersyde, Alta., the Lindgrens said that they first got involved with the chuckwagons in 2011, and that when it’s all added up, this will be their 18th year at the Stampede. They said the decision was made out of their privilege and love for the sport. 

“You get passionate about how well the Stampede treats racing and how the drivers treat racing,” said Heidi. 

“In order to achieve success on the field, on the track, in the rest of the season that happens, drivers need to be supported.”

Bid prices don’t always ensure that drivers strike gold, however. Such was the case for Jason Glass last year, who received the top auction bid of $230,000 but placed second in the 2025 race behind champion Chanse Vigen.

This year, Vigen matched the average bidding price of $225,000, as Glass took home just over that, receiving $250,000. 

Topsy-turvy economy could be a plus, says Stampede CEO

Joel Cowley, CEO of the Calgary Stampede, said the executive team was hoping to raise close to $4 million, or even last year’s total of $3.84 million. Whatever way it was spun, he said that this year’s total was shocking. 

“I was absolutely taken aback by the bidding that happened in that room, and the support that those drivers received — one over a half a million dollars,” he said. 

Cowley hypothesized whether world events might have played a role in the chunks of change contributed. 

“There’s economic uncertainty, but we also know that oil prices have spiked here recently as a result of world events,” he said. 

“That might be a supporting factor.”

Several independent surveys have shown that chuckwagon racing is a fan-favourite event, Cowley said. The sport, which was invented here in the Blue Sky City in 1923, has since undergone changes, including safety improvements. 

In 2022, the most noticeable switch was the reduction from four wagons to three. Cowley said that more subtle safety measures will be added this season, including a trial of new UCalgary technology that uses microchips to track potential musculoskeletal concerns in horses before they arise.

 “The Calgary Stampede has always been a leader in animal welfare, and in doing our best to ensure that incidents don’t happen on the track,” he said. 

The Calgary event was just the start of the season, with the Grande Prairie Stompede scheduled to host its annual tarp auction at the Tara Centre on Saturday, April 11. Later, the Ponoka Stampede auction is scheduled for Friday, May 1, according to the World Professional Chuckwagon Association’s website.