“A day that surpassed all expectations and a tangible barometer of the positivity that is sweeping South African horseracing.”
That was the word from a delighted BSA CEO Michael Holmes as the sun set on the TBA Sales Complex in Germiston on Thursday on Day 1 of what is all set to be a record-breaking BSA National Yearling Sale.
The results surpassed anything on record, with the average of R572 399 and median of R400 000 breaking new ground.
“The EU export gateway announcement in late March came 13 years after South Africa was last able to export registered equines directly to the EU, and the timing thereof, in tandem with great things happening in the various racing jurisdictions countrywide, has set the tone for a return to establishing our rightful place in the global village. Our buying bench today included a mix of local and international buyers, and the quality was impeccable. Our breeders have done a great job at all levels, and we look forward to Day 2 with great anticipation,” said Holmes.
Day 1 topseller – a Gimmethegreenlight colt bought by the Hong Kong Jockey Cluib (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
An aggregate of R113 335 000 was achieved off 198 lots sold, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club buyers of the top lot of the sale.
That was the R6 million paid for lot 175, Man Of His Word, a Gimmethegreenlight colt out of Honorine by Redoute’s Choice.
A magnificent specimen, as one would expect, his Gr2 winning dam has produced two previous winners and this is the family of Almanzor and Dariyan. The colt, handled by Jacobus Fieland, was consigned by Wilgerbosdrift.
The Hong Kong Jockey spent R8 250 000 for three yearlings, averaging R2 750 000 each.
Mauritzfontein consigned the top filly, lot 88 named Cherry Bakewell, who fell to a bid of R3,6 million by Form Bloodstock.
A three-parts sister to former Horse Of The Year and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara queen Summer Pudding, her dam is a Gr3 winning half-sister to Triple Tiara winning champion Cherry On The Top.
Lot 129 – the top-selling filly on Day 1 (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The Hollywood Syndicate team were there in numbers and broke new ground with their biggest ticket ever, courtesy of the R5 million for lot 129, Sparkling Rose, a three-parts brother to the Silvano sired Hollywoodbets Durban July winning champion Sparkling Water and the smart filly Champagne Cocktail.
The yellow and purple team also topped the buyer’s aggregate, acquiring 11 yearlings for R11 235 000, at an average of R1 021 364.
Lot 129 – a magnificent son of Hawwaam was the Hollywood Syndicate’s chart-topper (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Wilgerbosdrift led the vendor charts on Day 1, their 9 lots grossing R17 425 000 for an average of R1 936 111.
While the Trippi offspring were in enthusiastic demand, as evidenced by the retired son of End Sweep’s 7 yearlings totalling R10 800 000 at an average of R1 542 857, it was Maine Chance kingpin Vercingetorix whose 17 sold for an aggregate topping R20 350 000, at an average of R1 197 059.
Here is the Day 1 price-list.
- Lots 231 to 393 will be sold on Friday from 10h00.
The sky looks to be the limit!
