A key, but largely unheralded ‘back-room’ player at this week’s National 2yo Sale at the TBA Sales Complex in Gosforth Park will be Yard Manager, Romi Bettison. Happy horses and content vendors are Romi’s responsibility.
Romi – always a smile and ready to make it a great sale (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The lifetime horsewoman with the broad-based equine CV, has been in her current post for two years now and told the Sporting Post that she works together with the very experienced and capable Heavy Mabanga to ensure the vendors are happy, the horses are comfortable, and the duo are on site to problem solve when needed.
“We see to all the horses arriving and departing on the trucks, and ensure their stables are in order. We have our own stock of fodder, and bedding for the vendors to order from make everything as simple as possible. Vets, farriers and even laundry service is arranged. I organise the paperwork and passports prior to the arrival of the National Horseracing Authority. Heather Morkel is the front-of- house manager to ensure the buyers are organised and happy, with accommodation and transport sorted,” explains the enthusiastic 29 year old.
She goes on to outline further that former veteran trainer Alistair Gordon is in charge of client liaison and hospitality.
“You will also find him Alistair out in the yard where he inspects all the horses for BSA. Then Fiso Hadebe is a jack of all trades; of course, he is one of our up-and-coming young auctioneers. He also assists me in the yard in the lead-up to the sale, as well as Michael Holmes and the rest of the team prepping the auction ring etc in the auditorium. Ashley de Klerk runs the show in the office, from the accounts, to the buyers’ card applications, to the website updates. Elvada Van Zyl is the complex manager and looks after the site with Heavy between the sales, making sure maintenance is done and the stables are cleaned before the next sale.”
Romi is no one-trick pony and besides running her equine photography business, she also manages the BSA marketing.
She excitedly told us that the first 2yo’s had started arriving last Thursday already and the last were in on Sunday evening.
“Buyers were welcome to start viewing from Friday, by which time six farms had arrived. If they would prefer to wait until all the horses have arrived, then they are welcome to view the whole catalogue from Monday. The yard is looking great and is ready for action thanks to the team that has been hard at work, making sure the stables are ready, the walking track is harrowed and the gardens are neat.”
As at previous sales, the Enchanted Garden is open for complimentary breakfast and lunch every day. There will also be a dinner at the Enchanted Garden on Thursday evening sponsored by Equifeeds.
“We are excited to welcome everyone to the complex for a sale that we feel is going to be a great one. After all the incentives that the industry has seen announced over the last month or so, I think there is a very positive atmosphere around the complex. I also think this catalogue is an incredibly strong one, with some wonderful pedigrees for buyers to have a look at.”
Romi, who has a keen eye for a decent specimen, says that she has seen some strong looking individuals while out photographing at the farms for the sale.
“I think the 2022 BSA incentives have also been a wonderful initiative and we have definitely had a very positive response about them. The 100 bonuses paid out for the last season were fantastic, and we only received good feedback. I am sure next season will be even better with the 100 bonuses being increased to R100 000!”
She pointed to the great results from the graduates of the 2021 August 2YO sale, including Canadian Summer, who won the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes, as well as Paul Peter’s Maharanee, winner of the Gr2 4Racing SA Fillies Nursery.
“The whole BSA team is looking forward to a great sale – hopefully another record-breaking one! Time will tell! If you can’t attend, please remember that we will be streaming the sale on the BSA website, as well as Facebook and YouTube, and the Zoom platform will be available for online bidding. Please contact Ashley de Klerk for more information on this. We wish all our breeders the best of luck with the sale!” she concluded.
