“The top market was extremely competitive and strong and there is undoubtedly a horse for every taste on what is a superb catalogue,” declared trainer Dean Kannemeyer after the curtain came down on day one of the 2018 National Yearling Sale at the TBA Sales Complex in Germiston on Tuesday.
Top-selling colt on day one was #113 – Captain Al x Cherry On The Top (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
Kannemeyer, who has traditionally been a major fan of the National Yearling Sale over the years, will train the day’s topseller, a magnificent Captain Al colt (#113) out of champion and SA Triple Tiara winner, Cherry On The Top, whose Oaks winning damline is by Fort Wood.
Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe signed for the Mauritzfontein bred after the hammer had fallen at R4,75 million, following some spirited bidding.
Dean Kannemeyer – positive comments
“As one would expect at any top sale throughout the world, the standouts that tick the boxes on the catalogue page and in the flesh will always attract the serious money. We had to dig deep – I believe we were up against a Hong Kong bidder – but in the end, we were fortunately able to get this lovely specimen. My international buyer was captivated by this colt when seeing him in the flesh at Mauritzfontein. I am privileged to be getting the opportunity to train him,” added Kannemeyer, who said that the catalogue was a credit to breeders and Bloodstock South Africa.
Jehan Malherbe – Form Bloodstock signed for top lot
“Jehan (Malherbe) and I have been looking at hundreds of horses over the past five days. There is so much depth and quality across the board here. We still have two days left and we have a good few on our shortlist yet. So we are hopeful of getting some more,”’ he said.
The top three lots on the day were all progeny of Captain Al.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club won the duel to secure the second top lot (#63), who was bred by Klipdrif Stud as agent for Barry Irwin out of a stakes winning sister to Gr1 winners Red Ray and Nania. This impressive colt went for R3,3 million.
Riverton’s Cousin Liz – topselling filly on day one (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
Third top lot, and overall leader in the fairer sex category, was Riverton Stud-bred Cousin Liz (#150), a daughter of Captain Al out of a half-sister to three stakes winners, including the Mike de Kock trained Fair Maiden, who won the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes. She was released to Kerry Jack Bloodstock.
The day one price list – please click here
Session 1 continues on Wednesday at 11h30 up to lot 231.
Session 2 then commences immediately.
