SOLID GAINS FOR 2013 CAPE PREMIER YEARLING SALE BOOK ONE
Saturday, January 26, 2013 
Click above to watch a summary of the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1
(Image and Footage : Cape Thoroughbred Sales)
CAPE PREMIER YEARLING SALE BOOK 1
Cape Town International Convention Centre
24 - 25 January 2013
The second session of the Cape Premier Yearling Sale did not quite reach the heights of the first session, but with 19 yearlings breaking the million Rand barrier, it demonstrated that there was a solid band of quality individuals on offer during the sale.
The final aggregate of the sale was just under the R100 million mark, coming in at R98,510,000, while the average was R482,892. Klawervlei Stud overtook Highlands Farm Stud as top vendor, consigning 32 lots for a total of R15.445 million, while Trippi did the same to Dynasty in the sire stats, totalling R15.130 million for his 24 yearlings. Markus Jooste’s Mayfair Speculators continued their buying spree, eventually signing for 21 yearlings totalling R14.225 million, to remain at the top of the buyers list.
“It was a successful sale”, Cape Thoroughbred Sales Chairman, Chris van Niekerk summarized. “The vendors provided quality horses and the wide spread of buyers confirmed the quality and good value of South African stock, which was underscored by a 20% increase in the average from the prior year.”
After a sluggish start to the second session, Kip Elser could not resist signing for a lovely grey filly by Tapit out of the Orientate mare Charmz. From the female family of Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and Champion Older Female Sprinter, Harry’s Charm, Lot 136 was knocked down to Elser for a mere R700,000. For Elser the equation was a simple one: “She is a great mover and the 2nd dam was a champion!” Mike Sharkey, manager of vendor Highlands Farm Stud explained the low purchase price: “The buyer clearly appreciates and understands the sire better than the local market. She is a lovely filly from a good solid South African family and definitely well bought.”
Lot 150, the grey colt Imibala, was one of the talk horses during the week and it therefore came as no surprise when he topped the second session, with the hammer falling at R2 million. By Group 1 Vodacom Durban July winner Dynasty out of the Vodacom Durban July winner Dancer’s Daughter, he epitomises the adage of breeding the best to the best. Signed for by John Freeman, the colt will be trained by Justin Snaith, who also trained his dam. Brother Jonathan Snaith was extremely pleased to have acquired the handsome grey. “We trained the mom and he looks just like her. We are very excited to have one of her produce in our stable, after missing her daughter last year. With a beautiful conformation, he was our pick of the colts at the sale.” Mike Sharkey, manager of Highlands Farm Stud confirmed that it was only the second time in South African history that a yearling was by a July winner out of a July winner. He cheekily added that the colt should have been named Triple D! “He is a lovely yearling and a great walker. He was a late foal and I look forward to seeing him furnish into a proper horse.”
Just three lots earlier, the top filly of the second session, consigned by equine vet, Dr Bennie van der Merwe of Moutonshoek was knocked down to trainer Gavin van Zyl for R1.7 million. Lot 147, the aptly named Eros’s Girl, is by Captain Al out of the unraced Jet Master mare Cupid, herself a sister to multiple Group 1 winning filly Ebony Flyer and a half sister to Champion Three-Year-Old Filly Captain’s Lover. Dr Van der Merwe was thrilled, calling her a lovely well put together filly and a great mover. Van Zyl was extremely happy to have picked up such a well-related individual and added that if she runs like the other females in the family she will be a champion.
Third on the buyers list after the sale, Chris van Niekerk’s Rainbow Beach Trading signed for Lot 179, the exquisite bay Trippi colt, Trip to Heaven (R1.4 million) and Lot 197, the flaxen maned chestnut colt from the last crop of champion Sire Jet Master. Both will be trained by Sean Tarry. Out of the imported Cee’s Tizzy mare, Helleborus Blue, Lot 179 is a half brother to Group 1 winning two-year-old The Hangman. Tarry was very pleased to have acquired the brother to his star, commenting that the colt is a classic type and if he has half the ability his brother has, he will be very good. Van Niekerk, who also owns 2012 Vodacom Durban July winner Pomodoro, was very pleased with his purchase. “As much as we think we have a champion in The Hangman, we believe that we have a more refined individual in Trip To Heaven”, he said. Speaking on behalf of vendor Highlands Farm Stud, manager Mike Sharkey added: “He is a quality individual, he looks just like his sire and being the half brother to The Hangman, Chris van Niekerk just couldn’t stay away.” Having trained Mythical Flight, a very speedy Jet Master colt with a flaxen mane and tail, Tarry was the one who could not stay away from Lot 197. “He is a strong colt from a good female line and of course with a flaxen mane and tail. We hope he is as good as our last Jet Master with a flaxen mane and tail”, he said.
Andreas Jacobs’ Maine Chance Farms consigned Lot 216, another chestnut Jet Master, who was knocked down to Gareth Pepper for R1.4 million. Named Legato, the colt is out of the Jallad mare, Lyrical Linda, a mare very near to Jacobs’ heart. “She was my first Group 1 winner in South Africa and she is very special to me. I was thrilled when she produced such a beautiful individual”, he commented. The young bloodstock agent had to wait patiently until the end of the second day, before signing for the colt on behalf of KwaZulu-Natal trainer and ex Mauritian Champion jockey, Robbie Hill. With Hill’s daughter getting married on Saturday, he wisely decided to stay at home.
Cape trainer Vaughan Marshall could not believe his luck when Lot 226, the strapping son of Var and full brother to Champion Sprinter Val De Ra, was knocked down to him for R1.1 million. “It is wonderful to have an owner like Ken Truter, who buys me horses like this. We are thrilled to have got him, as we thought he would go for much more”, said a grinning Marshall.
Angus Gold purchased six yearlings for Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Stud South Africa, signing for Lot 81 (R375,000), Lot 92 (R800,000), Lot 170 (R600,000) and Lot 206 (R900,000), before some spirited bidding landed him Lots 230 and 232 right at the end of the sale. Consigned by Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm, both are by Champion Sprinter Var out of very speedy mares. Lot 230 is the first foal of Silvano mare Mochachino, who scorched to victory in the Group 2 Camellia Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein. Despite being a first foal, Gold commented on how precocious the filly looked. “She is a very racy filly and she looks sharp. If she were in Australia, she would be a Golden Slipper filly. Mike de Kock loved her and we are very happy to have her.” Lot 232, named Mastermind, reminded Gold more of his damsire Jallad, than his sire Var. “He was a lovely horse, a big strong powerful colt from a fast family. He reminded me a lot of Jallad, who we bred and raced in the UK.”
Gold is no stranger to the Cape Premier Yearling Sale or to South Africa and explained his continued support. “We are very happy to be buying here, as the yearlings are very good value by international standards. The objective is of course to take the horses to Dubai if they are any good. We got lucky with Soft Falling Rain, who was Champion Two-Year-Old Colt and who easily won his first start in Dubai. It is early days yet, but from Sheikh Hamdan’s viewpoint, South Africa is a good value alternative to buying in Europe or America.”
CAPE PREMIER YEARLING SALE
Cumulative Statistics
| 2013 | 2012 | |
|---|---|---|
| Catalogued | 234 | 350 |
| Offered | 220 | 294 |
| Sold | 203 | 238 |
| RNAs | 17 | 56 |
| RNA % | 7.7% | 19% |
| Highest Price (ZAR) | 3,250,000 | 2,800,000 |
| Gross (ZAR) | 98,510,000 | 106,835,000 |
| Average (ZAR) | 482,892 (+19.8%) | 403,151 |
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