Calgary Stampede canvas auction rakes in $3.84M

If the events of Thursday night are any indication, Calgary’s economy is doing just fine.

Chuckwagon drivers, businesses and fans of the festivities took over the Big Four Roadhouse for the 45th annual Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Canvas Auction.

The World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) says the event exceeded all expectations.

Thursday night brought the highest average bid ever seen in the 45-year history of the event, according to the association — $142,222.22 was the average tender placed on each of the 27 drivers. This topped the previous 2024 record by nearly $27,000.

The highest bid of $230,000.00 went to driver Jason Glass via Birchcliff Energy Ltd. Second place was captured by Kurt Bensmiller and the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino with $220,000. The third highest bid was $210,000 by Graf Mechanical Ltd. for Kris Molle.

“A fantastic sale. 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,” said Glass. “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.

“It really is amazing that we have the support that we do have.”

The auction raked in the third highest total in history, totaling $3.84 million; 24 of the 27 drivers got at least $100,000.

Here’s a full list of all the bids:

Jason Glass Birchcliff Energy Ltd. $230,000.00
Kurt Bensmiller Grey Eagle Resort and Casino $220,000.00
Kris Molle Graf Mechanical Ltd. $210,000.00
Layne MacGillivray Shady Creek Ranch $190,000.00
Evan Salmond De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. $160,000.00
Wade Salmond De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. $160,000.00
Chanse Vigen Lethbridge Lodging Association $150,000.00
Chad Fike Steelhaus Technologies Inc. $150,000.00
Preston Faithful De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. $150,000.00
Jamie Laboucane Panorama Advisory Group $150,000.00
Obrey Motowylo Shel-Bar Electronic Industries Ltd. $150,000.00
Rae Croteau Jr. Bar L-5 Ranch $150,000.00
Ross Knight MobSquad $145,000.00
Logan Gorst International Petroleum Corp. $140,000.00
Darcy Flad Vista Properties Limited $135,000.00
Dayton Sutherland Truman Homes $135,000.00
Chance Bensmiller EllisDon $135,000.00
Mitch Sutherland Marlin Resources Ltd. $135,000.00
Cody Ridsdale Shaw GMC Chevrolet Buick $130,000.00
Chance Flad Meguinis Enterprises Business Ranch $120,000.00
Troy Dorchester MobSquad $120,000.00
Danny Ringuette The Brakeman Foundation $120,000.00
Dustin Gorst International Petroleum $110,000.00
Dallas Dyck Stoney Nakoda Nations $100,000.00
Chance Thomson VIP YYC $95,000.00
Todd Baptiste MobSquad $75,000.00
D.J. King Valentine Volvo $75,000.00

The 2025 Rangeland Derby runs during the Calgary Stampede from July 4 to 13 2025.