Highfield Investment Group to acquire Century Mile and Century Downs
For more than two decades, horses have been at the heart of the Highfield story.
From breeding and raising Thoroughbreds at the Highfield Stock Farm, to owning and racing horses across Canada and the United States, the Munro family has built a deep connection to the sport and to the people who make Alberta racing possible.
Now, that connection is coming full circle.
Highfield Investment Group has entered into an agreement to acquire the racing and gaming operations of Century Mile Racetrack and Casino near Edmonton and Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, just north of Calgary in Balzac, from Century Casinos.
The acquisition represents an important new chapter for Alberta racing and brings two of the province’s major racing facilities into the hands of a company with a long-standing connection to the Thoroughbred industry, and a commitment to that industry and its sustainable growth in Alberta.
It’s a connection that goes back more than 20 years, and the story began long before Highfield was considering operating racetracks. In 2004, David Munro acquired the property that would become Highfield Stock Farm, establishing the foundation for what has grown into a significant Thoroughbred breeding and racing operation. Over the years, Highfield has bred, raised, owned and raced horses throughout Western Canada and North America, while working alongside breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys and horsemen across the industry.
Highfield was also involved in the early development of the project that ultimately became Century Downs. The company worked with the United Horsemen of Alberta to help preserve its gaming licence and advance the opportunity for a new Calgary-area racetrack. That work eventually led to Century Casinos becoming involved in the project and Century Downs opening in 2015. Century Mile followed in 2019, providing a new home for racing in the Edmonton region and more than a decade later, Highfield is stepping forward to carry that story into its next chapter.
Racing is more than a business
The acquisition is about more than operating two facilities. It is about supporting an industry that connects breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, veterinarians, farriers, agricultural producers and countless businesses and families across Alberta. Both Century Mile and Century Downs have played an important role in Alberta’s Thoroughbred, Standardbred and Quarter Horse communities, and Highfield intends to build on that foundation while creating an environment where racing can continue to grow.
Highfield is grateful for the significant investment Century Casinos has made in Alberta racing and for the facilities and foundation it has established over the past decade. The opportunity ahead is to build on that work with a long-term, Alberta-focused approach and a genuine passion for the sport.
For Highfield Stock Farm, the significance is especially personal. The same organization that breeds and raises Thoroughbreds in Alberta will now have a direct role in operating two of the province’s major racing destinations. From the farm, to the sales ring, to the starting gate and, ultimately, the winner’s circle, the acquisition brings another piece of the Thoroughbred journey closer to home.
We look forward to working alongside Alberta’s racing community and helping write the next chapter of the sport we have been proud to be part of for more than 20 years.
The next chapter starts at the track.
