The second session of the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Friday in Cape Town did not quite reach the heights of the first session, but with 19 yearlings breaking the million-Rand barrier over the course of the two days, it demonstrated that there was a solid band of quality individuals on offer during the sale.
The final aggregate of the sale was just under the R100 million mark, with the average price R482,000. Klawervlei Stud overtook Highlands Farm Stud as top vendor, consigning 32 lots for a total of R15 million, while Trippi did the same to Dynasty in the sire stats, totalling R15 million for his 24 yearlings. Markus Jooste’s Mayfair Speculators continued their buying spree, eventually signing for 21 yearlings totalling R14 million, to remain at the top of the buyers list.
“It was a successful sale,” Cape Thoroughbred Sales Chairman Chris van Niekerk summarized. “The vendors provided quality horses and the wide spread of buyers confirmed the quality and good value of South African stock, which was underscored by a 20% increase in average from the prior year.”
Lot 150, the grey colt Imibala, was one of the talking horses during the week, and it therefore came as no surprise when he topped the second session, with the hammer falling at R2 million. By G1 Vodacom Durban July winner Dynasty out of the Vodacom Durban July winner Dancer’s Daughter, he epitomizes the adage of breeding the best to the best. John Freeman was the successful bidder for the colt from the Highlands Farm Stud consignment, who will be trained by Justin Snaith, also the trainer of Dancer’s Daughter. The trainer’s brother Jonathan Snaith was extremely pleased to have acquired the handsome grey. “We trained the mom and he looks just like her,” Jonathan Snaith commented. “We are very excited to have one of her produce in our stable, after missing out her daughter last year.”
Mike Sharkey, manager of Highlands Farm Stud confirmed that it was only the second time in South African history that a yearling was by a July winner out of a July winner. He cheekily added that the colt should have been named Triple D! “He is a lovely yearling and a great walker,” said Sharkey. “He was a late foal and I look forward to seeing him furnish into a proper horse.”
Just three lots earlier, the top filly of the second session, consigned by equine vet Dr. Bennie van der Merwe of Moutonshoek, was knocked down to trainer Gavin van Zyl for R1.7 million. Lot 147, the aptly named Eros’s Girl, is by Captain Al out of the unraced Jet Master mare Cupid, herself a sister to multiple Group 1-winning filly Ebony Flyer and a half-sister to champion 3-years-old filly Captain’s Lover. Dr. Van der Merwe was thrilled, calling her a lovely, well put-together filly and a great mover”. Van Zyl was extremely happy to have picked up such a well-related individual.
Third on the buyers list at the end of the sale, Chris van Niekerk’s Rainbow Beach Trading signed for lot 179, the exquisite bay colt, Trip to Heaven at R1.4 million, and for Lot 197, the flaxen-maned chestnut colt from the last crop of champion sire Jet Master. Both will be trained by Sean Tarry.
Out of the imported Cee’s Tizzy mare, Helleborus Blue–a 3/4-sister to the solid U.S.-trained pair of Slew’s Tizzy and Slew’s Tiznow, lot 179 is a half-brother to the Gr1 winning 2yo The Hangman. Tarry was very pleased to have acquired the brother to his star, adding that he feels the colt is a Classic type, and if he has half the ability his brother has, he will be very good. Van Niekerk, who also owns 2012 Vodacom Durban July winner Pomodoro , was very pleased with his purchase. “As much as we think we have a champion in The Hangman, we believe that we have a more refined individual in Trip To Heaven”, he said. Highlands Farm Stud, manager Mike Sharkey added, “He is a quality individual, he looks just like his sire and being the halfbrother to The Hangman, Chris van Niekerk just couldn’t stay away.”
Having trained Mythical Flight, a very speedy Jet Master colt with a flaxen mane and tail, Tarry was the one who could not stay away from Lot 197. “He is a strong colt from a good female line and, of course, with a flaxen mane and tail,” he offered. “We hope he is as good as our last Jet Master with a flaxen mane and tail.”
Andreas Jacobs’ Maine Chance Farms consigned Lot 216, another chestnut son of Jet Master, who was knocked down to Gareth Pepper for R1.4 million. Named Legato, the colt is out of Lyrical Linda, a mare very near to Jacobs’ heart. “She was my first Group 1 winner in South Africa and she is very special to me,” he explained. “I was thrilled when she produced such a beautiful individual,” he commented. Pepper had to wait patiently until the end of the second day, before signing for the colt on behalf of KwaZulu-Natal trainer and former Mauritian champion jockey Robbie Hill.
Cape trainer Vaughan Marshall could not believe his luck when lot 226, the strapping son of Var and full brother to Champion Sprinter Val De Ra, was knocked down to him for R1.1 million. “It is wonderful to have an owner like Ken Truter, who buys me horses like this,” Marshall stated. “We are thrilled to have got him”.
Shadwell Strikes Late
Angus Gold purchased six yearlings for Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Stud South Africa, signing for lot 81 at R375.000, lot 92 for R800.000, lot 170 for R600.000 and lot 206 for R900.000, before some spirited bidding landed him lots 230 and 232 right at the end of the sale. Consigned by Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm, both are by champion sprinter Var out of very speedy mares.
Lot 230 is the first foal of Silvano mare Mochachino who scorched to victory in the Group 2 Camellia Sprint at Turffontein. Despite being a first foal, Gold commented on how precocious the filly looked. “She is a very racy filly and she looks sharp,” he opined. “If she were in Australia, she would be a Golden Slipper filly. Mike de Kock loved her and we are very happy to have her.”
Lot 232, named Mastermind, reminded Gold more of his damsire Jallad, than his sire Var. “He was a lovely horse, a big strong powerful colt from a fast family. He reminded me a lot of Jallad, who we bred and raced in the UK.”
Gold is no stranger to the Cape Premier Yearling Sale or to South Africa and explained his continued support. “We are very happy to be buying here, as the yearlings are very good value by international standards,” he added. “The objective is of course to take the horses to Dubai if they are any good. We got lucky with Soft Falling Rain , who was champion 2-year-old colt and who easily won his first start in Dubai. It is early days yet, but from Sheikh Hamdan’s viewpoint, South Africa is a good value alternative to buying in Europe or America.”
After a sluggish start to the second session, Kip Elser could not resist signing for a lovely grey filly by Tapit out of the Orientate mare Charmz. From the female family of multiple champion Harry’s Charm, lot 136 was knocked down to Elser for a modest R700.000. For Elser the equation was a simple one. “She is a great mover and the grandam was a champion!” he said. Mike Sharkey, manager of vendor Highlands Farm Stud explained the low purchase price. “The buyer clearly appreciates and understands the sire better than the local market. She is a lovely filly from a good solid South African family and definitely well bought.”
Extracted from TDN (Thoroughbred Daily News) – by Liesl King
