One of South Africa’s most experienced breeders, Pippa Mickleburgh has attended 35 National Yearling Sales and achieved a personal new record for Avontuur when their handsome Rafeef colt out of the prolific winner producing Var Mare, Miss October, fell to a bid of R4,25 million to Form Bloodstock at the 2025 renewal on Thursday.
Rafeef colt October Rush (#197) from Avontuur – Day 1 topper (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“We are thrilled and she’s just a very special mare. Well done to the buyer and we will be following this lovely colt with interest. It’s a record for us after all these years and a special word of thanks to our staff. It was just a very special day,” added the veteran breeder after lot 197 topped a very strong first day.
The half-brother to Gr1 winners Tempting Fate and October Morn was a first day topper on many short-lists and was purchased for leading international owner, Lady Christine Laidlaw.
Pippa and the ‘A’ team with the Day topper (Pic – Supplied)
It was a competitive day with 179 lots sold for an aggregate of R99 415 000 at an average of R555 391, and a median of R375 000. 13 lots were withdrawn, and 8 didn’t sell.
Vercingetorix daughter (#1)got the day off to a great start (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The day got off to a flying start when lot 1, a Hemel ‘n Aarde consigned daughter of Vercingetorix out of the Gr1 winning Master Of My Fate mare Zarina, also sold to Form Bloodstock for R3,250 000, and yet another sales record for David Hepburn-Brown’s farm in Hermanus.
Form Bloodstock were in a buying mood and purchased their 8 lots for a gross R16,7 million at an average of R2 087 500.
Greg Bortz purchased the final Trippi ever to be sold at Nationals, when the Bloomhill Stud consigned The Swansong sold to the Cape Racing boss for R300 000.
The sale continues at 10h00 on Friday when lots 201 to 346 will go through the ring.
You can watch the sale live here.
