The sale is over, and it was every bit the sale we thought it would be. And a bit more.

Emperor’s Palace Sale RingCustomers from as far afield as Australia, the UK, Dubai, Hong Kong and Turkey were in evidence, and many of them proclaimed it as much “gas” as any event they’d attended. Better than that, they said it was as well promoted, as well organized and as hospitable a sale as they’d known.

Now you can’t do that without a great team, so let’s first give credit where it’s due. This is as good a collection of people as you’ll find in creation, and we thank the good Lord every day for them.

Mike de Kock, Neil Andrews and Francois Steyn (mikedekockracing)Yet, this sale was the sum of so many parts, of the sale organizers, the sponsors, Phumelela, our journalists, and lest we forget, our customers. “Buzz” is a rarity these days, and big sales are often beset by the drudgery you find when cricket tests are heading for a draw. This was the Twenty 20 version, gate-crashed on the Friday evening at our Emperor’s cocktail and supper “do”, by the returning World Cup Springboks, a world champion boxer, and God knows how many beautiful TV presenters and super models. A man just didn’t know which way to turn. And when Francois Steyn pitched up, all 6’4” and 110 kgs of his 20 year old being, the girls assured us the World Cup was safe, for at least 8 years!

We suppose we should’ve anticipated if after the vibe of the gallops on the 19^th October, but the atmosphere on the course on Saturday was electric. The Boks (and the rest) were with us again, and the field for the R500k Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup, for us at least, was the realization of a dream.

UmngaziAll but one of them came off the farm, and the first four places, for the first time in history in an official Stakes race, were bred by one farm. Mark Dixon’s Umngazi stole the show in what was a desperate struggle, from Imbongi, The Big Ask & Gymnast. A helluva show, and the perfect precursor for the sports on Sunday.

What a sale. Just about every fellow that mattered was there, or left a mandate, and when it was all over, there wasn’t a record intact. Turnover approaching R17 million (last year R11,4 million), averages up 39%, (Summerhill a bit more,) growth of 45%, and so on, and so on. As well as a new record price of R900k from Tony Rivalland for a smashing son of Hawk Wing

Two-year-olds are killed in another float accident

Two two-year-olds sold at Sunday’s Ready-To-Run Sale were killed when the float carrying them back to Summerhill Stud overturned outside of Mooi River on Monday afternoon. A further 11 young horses survived the accident. The New Turf Carriers driver, who survived, was hospitalised. No grooms were injured.

Mick GossMick Goss of Summerhill Stud, who arrived on the scene a while later, told freeracer.co.za: “It was terrible. From the marks on the side of the road it looked as if the driver veered off the side of the road and lost control. When we got there one horse, Viva Labeeb, was virtually squashed under the float, he died. Another, Paparazzi, had hurt herself so badly that we had to her down.”

As fate would have it, 11 horses escaped from the float and Goss said: “The roof of the float burst open and the partitioning was loose and lying all over, trapping some of them, but they got themselves out of the mess. Some were standing on the side off the road, badly shaken.”

Goss said that three horses were missing from the scene and found later. “They’d run away into the fields, where we found them, unhurt, and brought them back. All were calmed down and injected by my staff, who came to help.”

Goss expressed his sympathy to trainer Dennis Bosch, who had lost the striking Viva Labeeb, and said: “This has never happened to us and it is most unfortunate indeed. Many years ago I lost a mare who broke loose and ran in front of a train, but that was it. Losing a horse is just shocking. Carriers will have to look urgently at the people they employ. I am sad for Mark and Dorrie Sham, who unexpectedly had two accidents in one week.”

Among the horses who survived was a R525 000 colt by Hussonet and a Russian Revival filly bought by Mike de Kock and also a pair secured by Dominic Zaki.

“We will attend to every one with extra special care,” said Goss.

Extract from freeracer.co.za

CREDIT crunch? What credit crunch?

While analysts worldwide are painting a dismal scenario for the festive season — particularly for retailers — the bloodstock sales party shows no signs of ending.

When the curtain came down on Sunday’s Emperors Palace Ready to Run Sale at Germiston, it left Bloodstock SA in a familiar role — announcing another record turnover.

The final thoroughbred sale of this year saw a 45% jump in aggregate to R16m with the average of R135084 being 39% up on last year.

Mick Goss has never been a man at a loss for words, but the Summerhill boss, whose stud made up two-thirds of the draft, knew this was the best Ready to Run since its inception two decades ago.

“A spectacular success,” enthused Goss. “The results prove that we have taken sales promotions to another level. I believe that Bloodstock SA did a phenomenal job for which I congratulate their team.

“I was moved by the planning and enormous efforts of my own team at Summerhill, who have become one of the world’s best.”

Jan Naude (mikedekockracing)Bloodstock SA CEO Jan Naude said he was overwhelmed by another hugely successful sale.

“The strong and consistent growth of our various sales in 2007 has been quite remarkable. The Ready to Run sale, in particular, was well promoted with incentives as a part of the package and a strong catalogue featuring various imports.

“We are more than satisfied with the results, and we hope that 2008 can bring similarly excellent sales results,” he said.

Surprisingly enough, Summerhill, SA’s champion breeders, have never sold a foal for R1m, but they came tantalisingly close with KwaZulu-Natal trainer Tony Rivalland bidding R900000 for the top lot, Stay Sonic.

The son of Hawk Wing out of the Australian mare Onwards had been touted as the likely sales-topper and Rivalland outbid Gauteng trainer Michael Azzie.

Stay Sonic (Lot 8)“He’s been bought for a new patron of mine named Tony Feasey, a property developer in Pietermaritzburg,” said Rivalland. He will now be eyeing next year’s Ready to Run Sweepstakes race, which is likely to carry a purse of R1m.

Trainer Mike de Kock also bid for Stay Sonic, but he did not return home empty-handed as the Equine Group bid R525000 for the Hussonet colt Mdasini.

“Having bought some of the progeny of Hussonet in South America, I am well aware of their value and this one impressed me at the breeze-up gallops,” De Kock said.

The second-highest price was R600000 bid by Marlon Aronstam of Anfield Sports for the Fantastic Light colt Unyazi. Aronstam said the son of the former Godolphin champion, who now stands at stud in Japan, had been acquired for the well-known owner Fred Crabbia.

The sum of R93333 translates into a great many Zimbabwean dollars so it was little wonder that Harare-based trainer Noelene Peech was delighted that the three offerings by the stallion Kitalpha averaged that figure.

“I wish I could take them back with me,” enthused Peech.

Foreigners were active at the sale and Bloodstock SA entertained buyers from Hong Kong, Turkey and England. Turkish businessman Fedai Kahraman spent almost R1m on five lots including Kahal’s son, Mbabala, for R425000.

Goss had the final word : “Roll on 2008. The next Emperors Palace Ready to Run Cup might be contested for over R1m — even R1,5m is possible!”

By David Mollet (Businessday)

Hawk Wing colt makes top price.

                                                   Tony Rivalland and Stay Sonic (freeracer.co.za)

SUMMERVELD-based trainer Tony Rivalland purchased imposing Stay Sonic, the plum lot on Sunday’s 2007 Emperors Ready To Run Sale, for R900 000 on behalf of his new patron, Tony Feasy, from Pietermaritzburg. The colt, by international boom sire Hawk Wing (USA) will spend some time at Feasy’s Kingthorpe property development near Ashburton and a most enthusiastic Rivalland told freeracer.co.za: “I am delighted with this purchase and equally happy to have Tony Feasy in the stable.

“I met him just recently when I was interested in property investments. We eventually took a trip to Mooi River where he fell in the love with the beauty of horse country. He has two mares, he is interested in breeding, but Stay Sonic will be his first racehorse and we’re hoping he will go places.”

Stay Sonic is big and well conformed with a presence about him and Rivalland said: “He’s knees are still a bit open, but we’ll wait. I don’t push my young horses, he will show when he is ready.” Rivalland earlier this year sold his brilliant Grade 1 sprinter War Artist to an overseas interest.

Trainer Mike Azzie and Mike de Kock were the under bidders on Stay Sonic and De Kock said: “Good luck to Tony, this one is a tit of a colt!”

The sale realised a record R16.075 million, up 45% on last year.

Extract by Charl Pretorious (www.freeracer.co.za)

Bob Yearham - he puts his money where his mouth is.

Bob Yearham (mikedekockracing)ON the eve of the inaugural Listed Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup and the 2007 Emperors Ready To Run Sale, Summerhill Stud’s Mick Goss has paid tribute to Emperors Palace Chief Operating Officer, Bob Yearham.

“The Summerhill team has arrived in Johannesburg and we’re being accommodated in the fine surroundings of Emperors Palace,’’ said Goss. “But of course this is just the tip of the iceberg. One needs to look at what Bob Yearham with his sponsorships and support has done for horseracing over the last several years and that is truly remarkable.

“Bob is not a man of big talk, he is someone who puts his money where his mouth is and then goes on to follow through on every detail of his commitment. This is what I call professionalism in the true sense of the word.

“He has seen the synergy between the gambling and the racing industries, has used it to his fair advantage and is now seeing the results. All of us have drawn the benefit from Bob’s efforts.’’

The Summerhill draft of over 100 horses were safely transported to the TBA Sales Complex at Gosforth Park earlier this week and Goss enthused: “Any breeder will tell you that there are often niggling problems when it comes to transporting young horses to sales grounds, but I am pleased to say that our youngsters arrived in excellent condition without a single hassle, thanks to Choice Carriers.’’

Summerhill’s 25 grooms have settled in with the horses and Mick’s marketing and public relations team, headed by Linda Norval, are in attendance.

“To the members of Summerhill, the 2007 Ready To Run Sale is an in-house triumph, so to speak. We’ve built our team for 30 years and our trouble-free passage to the big race and the sale is a culmination of little things being done perfectly right over a long period of time.

“Here we are now, everyone is excited, there is a buzz in the air and we’re looking forward to a great weekend. I am especially pleased that there are owners from out of town, as far as Kimberley, with runners in the race. They will also be accommodated by Emperors and will attend Friday night’s cocktail party. The Sale has produced excellent results, not only for big owners!

Extract from www.mikedekockracing.com

Interest Unprecedented

There’ll be daily bulletins on the draft and the race from here in, but its worth recording Bloodstock SA’s Sales Manager, Caroline Simpson this morning. They’ve been “overwhelmed” (to quote her) with the interest in this year’s sale, and reckons it’s up there with the Nationals. Reason is, there’s a much broader buying bench, because there’s a horse for everyone here, and of course, there’s our Three Cheque payment scheme. Cap that with the deepest draft ever, and you have the ingredients.

THE BIG RACE : R550k at stake, and people are beginning to get the jitters!

Laurie JaffeeIf they’re feeling like this about Saturday’s half million Rand stake, imagine the heat come next year, when the sweepstakes looks set to get well beyond R1 million.

The final field for the R500 000 Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup has just been released, with all but one of them, graduates of last year’s Summerhill draft.

Alan and Brenda MagidThirteen out of fourteen acceptors for the richest Ready To Run Sales race in the world, that’s quite an accomplishment in our books, though not all of them are officially “Summerhill-bred”. Moscow Magic was bred by veteran Summerhill supporter and one of the nation’s top racing ambassadors, Laurie Jaffee and his fine lady, Jean, while Alan and Brenda Magid, the venerable judge and his honourable “missus”, produced Prize Flower on the farm.

Paul MatchettAnother from our draft not carrying the official “brand”, is Matt Gold, a “pinhook” from the Armitage’s Sandown Stud last year, and one of the “whisperers” in the race. Apparently trainer Paul Matchett, who also runs Group winner, Mzwilili, is quietly confident.

The bookmakers appear to believe the race rests between the Mike de Kock duo, Galant Gagnant and Imbongi, the former the property of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Khalifa al Maktoum and the latter a left-over from last year’s sale, where he was passed out and sold privately off the farm several months later to a team comprising past Chief Steward of the Jockey Club, Ronnie Napier, Mike Fleischer (his first horse, and in line for half a mill!) Owen Leibrandt, who’s been around for a long time, and Dr. Barry Clements, his Aussie based co-breeder.

The Gallops are over... now for the Sale

The pilgrimage to the TBA Sales Complex in Johannesburg, started with the departure on Saturday morning of the fillies for the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Sale on 4 November. Amazingly, the operation was successfully completed when the colts, making up a total compliment of 105, reached their destination without incident on Sunday.

The gallops are now recorded for posterity on our website, and traffic is growing by the hour, as people search for clues to next years winner of the R1 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup, which is restricted to graduates of the 2007 sale.

This evening features a programme dedicated to the Ready To Run on Tellytrack’s, “Keeping Track” (Channel 232) at 7:30pm, and after that, the gallops and the expert panel’s selections will be featured on the loop every day till the sale, on Tellytrack.

At the TBA Sales complex in Germiston, customers will be able to view the gallops on the big screen, selecting them individually (as you can on our website, to you’re your convenience).

Besides access to the website, all customers (including our foreign-based friends) who are not close to the sales complex, will receive a DVD displaying the gallops and the panel interviews.

Anyone without a sale catalogue or a DVD at this stage, should contact Caroline Simpson (Sales Manager at Bloodstock SA) so that it can be dispatched to you urgently.

Email : caroline@tba.co.za Tel : 082 5526525

Another big pointer : (customers have never had it this good!) Over the years, many of our clients have resorted to the advice of the Summerhill managers, grooms and jockeys; whose connection with the horses is obviously more intimate than anyone else’s, and while this is highly unusual, by any standards anywhere, it has always been Summerhill’s style to provide its customers with all the information we can.

As a result, we have obtained the “picks” from a selection of the senior people in our team, and these are listed below.

READY TO RUN TEAM 2007
		TOP FILLIES	TOP COLTS
BEN	MBELE	32, 139, 118	104, 22, 2
Ben is the 3rd generation of Mbele’s to have worked on the farm.
DEAN	MACASKILL	139, 62, 28	8, 76, 38
Top SA Jockey, Freddie Macaskill’s son.
ERIC	MTHEMBU	62, 23, 153	48, 137, 154
A promising young rider who wants to make a career as a jockey and has brought along some great 2yo’s this year.
JOHN	MOTAUNG	32, 33, 62	81, 111, 138
The rider of Champion Sprinter, Fanyana & the producer of many top RTR horses for the past 7 years.
LEXY	BRACKNEY	118, 62, 26	22, 124, 111
Lexy is our American Intern and has added a lot of value to our sale.
LUVUYO(AMOS)		147, 96, 99	46, 58, 4
An enthusiatic new employee that gives his all.
MALI	ZUMA	32, 72, 62	111, 8, 22
An older wiser member of the Zuma family. He has prepped many horses over the years.
MAXWELL	RIYANI	13, 74, 135	25, 19, 102
A friendly new employee who has the passion for the horse.
MICHAEL	BOOYSEN	113, 139, 69	34, 111, 22
A leader and mentor of our team for many years.
MICHAEL 2	NDLOVU	139, 28, 113	8, 22, 76
Our breaking in master.
MICHAEL 3	MCHUNU	139, 60, 87	22, 95, 8
The rider of top 3yo contender and 2006 RTR graduate, Galant Gagnant.
PATRICK	MOLEFE	113, 139, 62	8, 111, 22
The man who makes sure all the stables are in tip top shape.
PRINCE	MDUNJANE	28, 62, 74	141, 8, 38
The rider of the first group winner from the 2006 RTR draft, Mzwilili (Pretty Polly S, G3)
SIBUSISO	SHABALALA	139, 62, 113	8, 95, 12
He rode Hear the Drums some years back and gave him the grounding to become EC Horse of the Year 2007.
TARRYN	LIEBENBERG	113, 33, 62	111, 8, 76
Has been part of the team for several years.
THABANI	NZIMANDE	32, 62, 36	22, 34, 102
An intelligent new member on our team, he is going to go far.
THEMBINKOSI	NXUMALO	26, 85, 93	154, 48, 22
Used to ride Emperor Napoleon every morning before he went into training and he knew he was a champion long before he hit.
THOKOZANI	DLUNGWANE	33, 51, 156	125, 76, 104
Was the rider of promising Ridge Furlong & Umngazi from last yours crop.
TIM	MACHPESH	62, 109, 23	124, 76, 90
Has helped and made many horses for thr RTR sale over the past few years.
ZAP	MOLEFE	118, 150, 62	8, 141, 111
The Mnomzane of team.
ZUKILE		5, 155, 150	9, 56, 148
A talented new member of the team.

We remind our visitors however, that the exalted like of Desert Links and giant killing Dynamite Mike, were on nobody’s list in particular 2 years ago, while none of the 3 Stakes winners which had graduated from the 2006 draft as early as March of this year, were obvious choices, which means that while there will no doubt be a number of very serious horses among those mentioned here, you don’t have to go in search of the “needle in the haystack” in order to find a good horse among those not listed.

Our team is very conscious of the commercial imperatives and the possible values of the horses in the sale, and if you’re looking for guidance, you need only ask.

One last reminder, and that relates to another “world-first” concept introduced more than a decade ago, specifically to help customers at this sale.

That is our Three cheque payment scheme, which applies to aggregate purchases of R60 000 or more, for people in good standing with BSA.

Please feel free to correspond with us if you need any more details.

Big Boost for Ready To Run as Dubai Destination and Hawk Wing chalk up Group One performances

Ibn Khaldun (dailymail)The last Group One for juveniles during England’s 2007 racing season, the Racing Post Trophy, produced a significant boost for two first crop sires in Dubai Destination and Hawk Wing. Now four wins from five starts, Godolphin’s Ibn Khaldun (by Dubai Destination) ran away with the major share of the R3 million prize, with Hawk Wing’s Feared in Flight filling 3^rd spot for veteran trainer Barry Hills.

While there will no doubt be celebration in both the Darley and Coolmore camps at this result, South African buyers will be cheered by the knowledge that the Summerhill Ready To Run draft includes a son of each of these exceptional race horses, both of whom were more than impressive in their gallops Friday a week ago.

Mike de Kock comments on the Summerhill Gallops

Mike de Kock and Sean TarryWe had quite an eventful weekend at Mick Goss’ Summerhill Stud, where the 2007 Ready To Run breeze-ups were staged for a good turnout of owners and trainers.

The quality of this year’s crop was good. I, for one, will be hoping to find a two-year-old as good as Imbongi or Galant Gagnant when the sale takes place on 4 November.

The panel of experts did a good job and many notes were taken. We were impressed by the progeny of Labeeb and Slew The Red, while the progeny of old-timer National Emblem and Kahal were again some of the best to be seen.

I am pleased that the Ready To Run Sweepstakes has been given Listed Status. Mick Goss is a visionary, an unrivalled ideas man and an industry perfectionist who thoroughly deserves the remarkable success of his Champion stud.

(Courtesy Mike de Kock www.mikedekockracing.com)