Despite the ongoing restrictions on exports, a strong foreign bench is expected at the 2019 National Yearling Sale when the bell rings at 11h30 today to hail a well-related Master Of My Fate filly who opens the bumper catalogue.
“Given the current export impasse, the export market is limited. There may be fewer exports from this year’s sale. However, I believe that there will still be a strong foreign spend, and as usual, I expect the top end of the market will be buoyant.”
So says the Equine Group’s Gary Grant who spoke to the Sporting Post on the eve of our major sale.
BSA’s Gary Grant
Grant adds that the fact that this sale currently has four horses in the top fifteen in the world, is an outstanding tribute to the breeders and our trainers.
Two years since taking on the role of managers of the BloodStock SA Sales division, Gary Grant, who along with Michael Holmes and Chris Haynes, has led and restructured BSA, can be proud of the results achieved in a market that hasn’t been plain sailing.
“With hindsight, I don’t think we realised the size and complexity of the task we were taking on. We have learnt a lot and I believe we are improving with each sale. The atmosphere at the 2018 NYS was reminiscent of the relaxed nostalgia of days gone by. It harked back to the fun times people used to have at sales. We expect this to carry over into this year’s sale.”
Sales are all about optimising timing and Grant noted the fact that the Easter weekend ‘moved’ as often as it did. He didn’t see the 2019 timing as a threat factor though and said that the international sales and racing calendar is so congested that consistency was the prime consideration.
With the overall rationalisation at Cape Thoroughbred Sales over the past year, there have been a few top breeders who have returned to the BSA fold.
“I think the SA sales calendar is now settled and the timing of our sales is far better. Competition is always good for the market and I believe BSA and CTS have mutual respect for each other,” he says
He says that the resilience of the thoroughbred sales market over the past year ‘has been amazing’.
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“It’s difficult to identify the reason. But I would really like to believe that we have created an environment where both vendors and buyers have felt very comfortable to trade.”
He says that the 2019 NYS catalogue is living proof that there is something to suit every pocket.
“It’s a high quality catalogue with great depth. The focus is on quality and we have an abundance of it this year. The depth of the catalogue suits the full range of buyers and for the astute buyer who does the homework there are many yearlings that offer exceptional value.”
He says he believes that in South Africa we have never had a better opportunity to consolidate, rationalise and unify the racing and breeding industry.
“If we can achieve this and solve the export impasse, then there is plenty to look forward to.”
