In a first for South African racing, Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS) has introduced the CTS Gold Rush, broadly based on the Pegasus World Cup, with 16 slots available to owners, whose runners will compete for R7,5-million.
The CTS Gold Rush, to be run over 1600m, presents the exciting challenge to find the right horse to contest this restricted race in which 16 Prospectors stake their claim for the massive purse, R5-million of which will be paid to the winning owner.
Prior to the commencement of the 2021 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, to be staged at De Grendel Estate, 14 slots will be sold for R400k each.
Two additional slots will be reserved, for a 12-month period, for ‘buy-ins’ at R600k each. The ‘buy-in’ slots will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.
The Prospectors (16 ticket owners) have a right to the 16 slots in the race, irrespective of who owns the horse. This allows for the 16 Prospectors to negotiate outright purchases, partnership deals, or lease agreements with the owners of any potential contending sales graduates, which will create opportunities for every single 2021 CPYS buyer, not just a select few.
Six emergency acceptors will be in place, to ensure full participation in the race.
Grant Knowles, Bloodstock and Marketing Director for CTS, commented: “The Gold Rush is an exciting concept that works effectively in Australia and the US. It has been modified for the 2021 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, and early responses are encouraging.”
The breakdown of prize money will be as follows:
- 1ST PLACE: R5-million
- 2ND PLACE: R1-million
- 3RD PLACE: R600,000
- 4TH PLACE: R500,000
- 5TH PLACE: R400,000
