The hammer came down on two days of enthusiastic bidding at the 2023 BSA National Yearling Sale at Gosforth Park on Saturday evening, with a twelve year high aggregate of R153 750 000, and a record average and median suggesting that, despite the challenges facing the industry and our broader economy, things are headed in the right direction.
It was Cape trainer Justin Snaith who confirmed the general sentiment that the 2023 catalogue of our major sale reflected a depth of quality across the board, and a strong middle market ensured that new highs were reached.
Bid-spotter MJ Byleveld was a busy man over the 2 days (Pic -Candiese Lenferna)
A total of 363 lots delivered an aggregate R153 750 000, with a record average of R444 364 and a median of R300 000.
New Klawervlei stallion Kommetdieding’s full-sister Kommetjie Storm was sold by Oldlands to Kestorm Investments on Day 1 and remained the sale topseller at 3,2 million. The ‘perfect racehorse’, in the words of her breeder, attracted an inordinate amount of interest and there were many who wanted her.
The respective top -sellers on Saturday Day 2 were lot 318, Air Raid, a son of Lancaster Bomber out of multiple Gr1 winning mare Inara, who fetched R3-million to the bid of Bass Racing.
Lot 318 – Lancaster Bomber colt was top-selling male on Day 2 (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The lovely colt was bred and consigned by Drakenstein Stud.
Top filly on Day 2 was lot 250, a Vercingetorix sired first foal for Gold Cup winning Dynasty’s Blossom, sold for R1,6-million. Bred and consigned by Maine Chance Farms, she was purchased by John Freeman.
Overall, the top sire on aggregate was the massively popular Silvano son Vercingetorix, who 35 lots reached an aggregate of R29 900 000, with an average of 854 286.
Drakenstein was the leading vendor, selling 18 lots for an aggregate of R16 225 000 and an average of R901 389.
Wilgerbosdrift was next with 21 lots fetching an aggregate of R15 825 000 for an average of R753 571.
Next up was Maine Chance Farms, whose 26 lots fetched R13 430 00 for an average of R516 538.
The top four buyers took home 76 lots between them, with Form Bloodstock leading the spree. Their 24 lots set them back R21 840 000 or an average of R910 000.
Veteran John Freeman signed for 23 lots at an aggregate of R18 900 000 for an average of R821 739.
Justin Vermaak, bought one smashing colt for the Hong Kong Jockey for R2,4 million, and the Vercingetorix son was included in his total trolley of 18 lots which cost R10 925 000 at an average of R606 944.
Cape Racing boss Greg Bortz showed his belief in an industry with a bright future, buying 11 lots for R7 575 000 at an average of R688 636.
Click here to see all the prices
The next big BSA sale is the KZN Yearling Sale at SunCoast Casino on 29 June in Hollywoodbets Durban July week.
