Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS), in conjunction with Meerkat Online Auctions, will enable pre-bidding, online, two days before the start of the 2021 De Grendel CTS Ready To Run and Unbroken-Two-Year-Old Sale on Sunday, 31 October, at Kenilworth Racecourse.
Buyers who would like to get a foot in the door well before the start of the live sale, will be able to place their bids on any of the lots in the catalogue from Friday afternoon, by registering as buyers on the Meerkat website, www.meerkatonline.co.za.
Grant Knowles, MD of CTS, said that pre-bidding will be another innovative addition to the Ready To Run sales weekend, which starts with gallops on Friday, 29 October, followed by the R900 000 2021 De Grendel Ready To Run Stakes on Saturday, 30 October.
“We will be adding more interest and excitement, and engaging buyers and vendors in an interactive way before the actual auction.”
Ro’an van Tonder, founder of Meerkat, said that the concept of pre-bidding, online, has been remarkably well received.
“We have already applied online pre-bidding to a number of our livestock and equipment auctions. Recently we opened bidding on a tractor and farm equipment auction two days ahead of time, and on auction day we already had R6-million in bids secured.”
He added: “We are hoping that the Ready To Run buyers will use the pre-bidding opportunities in a similarly eager fashion, so that we can reach reserve prices before the sale and get the auctioneers going with a head start. On sales day, bidding will continue online along with the buyers around the live auction ring until final bids are knocked down.”
Meerkat successfully conducted the online buyers’ facility at the De Grendel CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale earlier this year, and Van Tonder said: “Buyers who have already registered on our online platform won’t be required to do so again. They can join the R2R Sale by entering the portal that will be provided on our website two days prior to the sale. New buyers will be required to register their details in order to receive buyer’s cards, and online participation.”
Aside from the obvious online benefits, Van Tonder said, buyers who are travel- bound, or holidaying in remote spots, will be able to place their bids before the auction.
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