Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS) have released the online catalogue for the upcoming 2018 April Yearling Sale to be held at Durbanville racecourse.
This innovative new sale – a combination of the previously-held CTS March and Emperors Palace Select sales – takes place over 2 days on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 April and begins with a Select evening session on day one.
Compared to previous March sales, the upgraded sale sees a 33% increase in the number of lots on offer, growing from 257 in 2017 to 343 this year.
“This is a really exciting new format and catalogue.” said CTS CEO Wéhann Smith. “There is strong sire pulling power, quality individuals at a range of price levels, and some impressive new stallions being represented, all of which will make this sale appeal to all types of buyers.”
CTS CEO Wehann Smith – looking forward to the new sale
“In a relatively short period, yearlings to have passed through this ring have won many marquee races, including 2016 graduate Dutch Philip who was victorious in the lucrative CTS 1200 this past January, demonstrating just how much value can be bought here, having already amassed over R3 million in stakes.”
Other March Sale graduates include inaugural CTS Million Dollar victor Illuminator, a R180,000 purchase in 2014 who amassed over R8 million in stakes; 2017 Selangor hero Rocket Countdown, and Safe Harbour who has already earned R2,7 million in prize money. High-class miler Copper Force, bought for just R70,000, ran second in this year’s Grade 1 Queen’s Plate. And shrewd buyers will be hoping to snap up the equivalent of durable performer Friendly Tibbs – a steal at R20,000 who is closing in on R700,000 in earnings as a seven year-old.
Rocket Countdown wins Selangor Cup (Pic- Chase Liebenberg Photography)
“The support we have received from the breeders for this year has been fantastic. We look very carefully at the calendar and consult the industry to find the right window, and I am very satisfied that this year – with the later date and Select session – will show bigger, stronger bloodstock at all ends of the market” says Smith. “We have progeny from Dynasty, Silvano, Trippi, alongside top international sires Rock Of Gibraltar, Camelot and Exchange Rate, and some of the last available Captain Al’s – making this sale a wonderful opportunity to buy into some proven bloodlines, or pin hook ahead of our Ready-to-Run Sale to be held later this year.”
Singapore Sling (photo: HKJC)
Recent international success of CTS graduates, Janoobi (Zabeel Mile in Dubai) and Singapore Sling (Hong Kong’s Classic Cup) provides further incentive to attend, and CTS are again offering logistical back-up, including travel arrangements for out-of-town visitors.
Consult www.capethoroughbredsales.com for catalogue updates and additional information, or Kerry Jack at [email protected] for logistical assistance.
