Full brother to Seal – Lot 333 One Direction (Silvano – Prestine Performer)
There was no hanging about on the third and final day of the 2015 National Yearling Sales, with 3 of the first 6 lots to be led through the ring being knocked down for 7 figures.
It’s always nerve-wracking being first in, but Roski Stud (breeders of international star, Journeyman) opened proceedings with Lot 331, a Dynasty filly out of the imported Polzeath, which went the way of Form Bloodstock for R500k.
Next up was Lot 333, a full brother to SA Derby winner Seal (Silvano – Prestine Performer) who was such a soldier for trainer Gavin van Zyl, performing at the highest level at welterweights up to 63 kgs. Consigned by Drakenstein Stud who co-own the mare with Dr Ian Heyns, the unnamed colt was the subject of spirited bidding and the hammer fell to John Freeman for R2 million. Jointly picked in the sale yard by a very happy John Freeman and Jack Mitchell. John said he was particularly pleased to have purchased a Silvano as it proved that he didn’t only buy Dynasties! Jack Mitchell confirmed that the colt will be raced in a ‘July 2014’ partnership of himself, Dennis and Gael Evans and Michael Leaf and will be trained by Snaith Racing. Co-breeder Dr Heyns was delighted with the result, saying that the colt is very like his famous brother in make as well as in temperament. He was very popular in the sales yard and the Drakenstein team were kept busy pulling him out for viewings. “It’s a good price for a good horse and he’s gone to really good people, so we’re happy.” Prestine Performer has a Silvano filly on the ground and is currently in foal to Dynasty and Dr Heyns finished off with a flourish ‘See you at the sales next year for the filly!”
Plattner Racing signed for Lot 336, Prince Of Light, a Silvano colt out of Princess of Light consigned by Klipdrif Stud as agent for R1,2 million. The colt is from the family of 2014 Equus Champion Broodmare Star Of Arcole and consignor Bennie Marais confirmed that the mare currently has an Oratorio colt at foot.
The auctioneering team were kept on the hop again for the next lot when Lot 337, Powder King, a Western Winter colt out of Princess Polly from Varsfontein Stud went the way of Shadwell’s Angus Gold for R1,6 million. Angus said he was “a very athletic individual from a good stallion, a good family and a good stud. I thought he might go for a little more, so I’m very happy with the price. Mike de Kock liked him very much and with a bit of luck we’ll see him out as a late 2yo or early 3yo. Breeder Susan Rowett said she was delighted to sell a horse to Mike de Kock, describing him as “a super, well-balanced colt” adding that they had bought extremely well.
2015 NYS Lot 369 Simply Royal (Silvano – Royal Fantasy)
After a slow start to the bidding, the Ascot Stud filly Simply Royal, Lot 369 (Silvano – Royal Fantasy) was knocked down to Form Bloodstock for R2,7 million, putting her at the top of the fillies log for day 3. Jehan Malherbe confirmed that the filly was purchased on behalf of the Al Adiyaat South Africa and would be conditioned by Sean Tarry. “She was by a champion sire out of a Group 1 winning mare and Sean said she was the best filly on the sale.”
John Freeman waded back into the fray for Lot 391, the unnamed Cheveley colt by Dynasty out of Siena, purchased for Jack Mitchell. John has a long association with the family and indeed, Roman Charger was the first purchase he made for Jack Mitchell and the start of their long and successful association. John described the colt as “ a typical, unfurnished Dynasty, just the way we like to buy them. When we pulled him out, he just put his head down and walked. Best of all, he’s unnamed, so we don’t have to go to all that trouble and expense to have the name changed.” A delighted Vaughan Koster said he was a lovely big, scopey colt who moved well. “John has been phenomenal in supporting us. The colt is going to great people and will be given every chance.” He confirmed that Siena is currently in foal to Sail From Seattle.
Lot 398, Sloe Gin Fizz by Philanthropist out of Sloe Gin and consigned by Drakenstein Stud attracted a lot of interest, finally going the way of Form Bloodstock at R1,4 million. Jehan Malherbe, who signed for the colt on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum commented that the colt was “A smashing looker. The stallion is doing well, we really liked him as a physical specimen and he also has a possible dirt pedigree.”
2015 NYS Lot 407 Craven (Dynasty – Sport’s Chestnut)
Lot 407, a Dynasty colt out of the stalwart Avontuur matron Sport’s Chestnut, became the top priced colt for day 3 when the hammer fell to Simmerton Stud for R3,1 million. Tony Millard, who signed the sales chit, commented that “he’s a lovely, leggy type from a good family” and confirmed that the colt, along with his other purchases, will remain in South Africa for the time being. Avontuur’s Pippa Mickleburgh described the colt as a very athletic, racy individual. She was very pleased to have sold him to Tony Millard, particularly as it was the mare’s last foal.
At the conclusion of the sale, TBA CEO Kevin Woolward announced an aggregate achieved of R126 637 500, 5.9% down on last year’s figure of R134 615 000. However, he pointed out that this was largely due to the slightly smaller catalogue of 449 lots as opposed to 2014, which offered a draft of 529. Of the 449 lots catalogued, 345 changed hands, down on last year’s figure of 398. 39 lots were withdrawn, a huge improvement on the 2014 figure of 62, but the number of unsold lots was up on last year, numbering 35 compared to a total of 16 in 2014. There were a fewer number of buy backs, down to 30 on last year’s figure of 53. The sale average stood at R367 065, an 8.5% increase on last year’s figure of R338 229. The median was also up on last year’s figure at R240k, an increase of 6.7% on the 2014 figure of R225k.
The top vendor was Klipdrif Stud, who consigned 30 lots for R11 515 000 and Form Bloodstock was the leading buyer, taking home 18 lots for R14 135 000. Leading sire by aggregate was Silvano, with Dynasty topping the list by average. Top of the first season sires was Gimmethegreenlight, who finished 5th overall by aggregate.
Kevin commented, “It was a very strong top market with the middle market being notably absent. There was a broad spectrum of buyers, but all the top buyers were going for the same horses, resulting in some of those big prices. However, for astute buyers, there were bargains to be had at the lower end, although competition was keen at both ends of the market. While we finished down on aggregate, we are pleased with the increase in average and corresponding increase in median. All in all, a pleasing result.”
