Records fell and new benchmarks of excellence were established as the curtain came down on the select first session of the 2025 CRS Premier Yearling Sale at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on a vibrant Thursday evening.
Drakenstein’s Gaynor Rupert chats to record ticket buyer Greg Bortz as Kevin Sommerville looks on (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
On a game changing evening to remember, Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz signed the chart-topping chit at R9 million for lot 85, a magnificent high-spirited Vercingetorix colt out of the dual Gr1 winning Captain Al mare Snowdance.
Consigned by Drakenstein Stud, Wreath Of Snow, a half-brother to both Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas star Snow Pilot and Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship third-placer Symphony In White, set a new record mark for a yearling sold at auction in the Cape, and equalled the tag paid by Mike de Kock for a Silvano colt at the 2019 Emperors Palace Bloodstock SA National Yearling Sale.
And the record numbers didn’t end there!
With 149 of the 164 lots catalogued on offer, a healthy clearance rate of 92% saw 137 yearlings find a new buyer, fuelling a Day 1 aggregate of R104 350 000, and a dazzling new SA thoroughbred auction record average price of R761 679 and a median of R500 000.
The R9 million record-setter. A Drakenstein bred Vercingetorix colt – #85 (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
“We are delighted. It started with an idea, a concept. We had a goal to establish the sale to eclipse all sales and the dream is taking shape! With the vendors coming to the party by showing amazing support and buy-in with high quality stock, coupled with a diverse local and international buying bench against the backdrop of a superb venue, this was a winner and the numbers don’t lie. We are already planning for 2026,” enthused Cape Racing’s Executive: Racing & Bloodstock, Justin Vermaak in a chat with the Sporting Post afterwards.
Vermaak lauded the ‘massive’ support of major players, including the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Hollywood Racing, Greg Bortz, Arun Chadha, Laurence Wernars, Form Bloodstock, Mike de Kock and Sean Tarry, amongst others.
“This was a partnership of quality stock, buying power and a belief in the future of racing in South Africa. We thought there would be a slow-burn amongst the breeders. Those that bought in were rewarded. Those that didn’t bring their best will no doubt have a rethink in advance of 2026. We are aiming higher after this flying start,” concluded Vermaak.
Traditionally held in the hustle and big-race bustle of January, and centred around the Cape Town Met, the improved Premier Sale concept gained momentum when it was decided to extend the Summer Festival Of Racing to mid March, and crown the celebration of five glorious months of high-quality turf action with a Cape Racing Festival Sales Day, dovetailed by the two-day Premier Sale.
Following subsequent buy-in by the Monaco Sport of Kings Group, the day has already evolved and charity will also benefit as the inaugural The Royal Raceday will be held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.
Jono Snaith enjoys the sale and chats to Greg Bortz (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Session 2, with pin-hooking opportunities, starts this afternoon at 16h00. May the fireworks continue!
The session will be streamed live via the Cape Racing Sales website.
You can also view the sale via GALLOP TV and the GALLOP YouTube channel.
*A reminder to register for REMOTE BIDDING should you wish to follow the sale for bidding purposes.
