After a highly successful inaugural running of the BSA Cape Yearling Sale Cup twenty four hours earlier at Kenilworth on Cape Derby day, the heat was turned up a few degrees – literally – as the 2021 renewal of the great value-for-money regional sale was hosted by South Africa’s oldest thoroughbred sales company at the Mistico Equestrian Centre outside of Paarl.
With the Cape summer sun blazing down, and temperatures advancing into the early 40’s, the vibe was remarkably positive in Tito Mboweni’s budget speech week.
Throw in the parlous state of the economy, the ongoing Covid-19 impact, and the overall uncertainty in the racing industry in a year that will likely herald great change in the structures, and one realises that the human spirit is near indomitable when passion and horses are in the mix!
Speaking to the Sporting Post, Avontuur General Manager Pippa Mickleburgh said that she felt encouraged and complimented the Bloodstock South Africa team on a job well done.
“I have words to describe the heat – let’s just say that it was extremely hot! But the atmosphere was upbeat and the vibe was very good. I feel the sale was boosted by the Cape Derby day sales race hospitality and experience. The linked race really worked very well in building momentum for the sale,” she added.
Talking about the sale, Pippa said that there were strict social distancing rules in the sales arena, but that it was also wonderful to interact again with friends and colleagues after so long.
“One can never say that thoroughbred breeders – in fact most racing people for that matter – are not a resilient bunch! And this everyman’s sale offers a chance to all breeders to sell and market a horse for pockets of all sizes. It’s an important component in the overall sales economy,” she concluded.
And Pippa’s smile and positive disposition is underscored by the raw stats which show good improvement year on year, and paint a positive picture of genuine hope, despite the background of depressed stakes.
A total of 189 lots were catalogued with Sunday’s aggregate of R11 770 000 up almost 50% on last year.
The average of R84 071 soared 29% year-on-year, while the median of R65 000 increased 63% from 2020.
While the fairer sex filled the top four places in the Cape Yearling Sale Cup on Saturday, the boys filled the top two positions on Sunday’s price chart.
Three lots cracked the R300 000 plus mark.
Topseller was Galic War (#64), who fell to the Hollywood Syndicate bid of R375 000.
The topseller – Galic War (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift, Galic War (#64) is a son of Maine Chance’ exciting Silvano stallion Vercingetorix, out of the Dynasty mare, Oojooba. The handsome dark bay colt is a first foal and hails from the female line of Salsabeel and Lehaaf.
Home Of The Brave (#130, a The United States colt) and Inner Sense (#9, a What A Winter filly) sold for R350 000 and R320 000, respectively.
Mauritzfontein’s Kingmambo stallion Ideal World, producer of 36 black type horses including dual Met winner Rainbow Bridge, topped the sires chart on aggregate, his 8 lots achieving R1,1 million at an average of R137 500.
Leading stallion on average was Varsfontein’s ever popular star Gimmethegreenlight, who only had 3 sell – averaging R213 333.
Vercingetorix produced the chart-topper and averaged a healthy R158 333 for his trio.
Bennie van der Merwe of Moutonshoek would have been thrilled by the interest in Galileo son The United States, whose sweetly timed first winner – Sheela won the Listed Storm Bird Stakes on debut 24 hours earlier – saw plenty of interest. The United States’ six totalled R740 000, at an average of R123 333.
After siring Mounia to win the inaugural Cape Yearling Sale Cup on Saturday, the much talked about Rafeef also had plenty of supporters – the Ridgemont based son of Redoute’s Choice’ quintet averaging R124 000.
The vendor and buyer listings were not available as we went to press.
Fiso Hadebe, flanked by Andrew Miller and Graeme Hawkins (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The sale marked a watershed moment for promising new auctioneer Fiso Hadebe, who sold the top lot and caught the eye with his confidence and chirps. We enjoyed the ‘bid’s with you Hawkins!’
- Next up is the CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale at De Grendel on 14 March.
