The inaugural Cape Premier Yearling Sale attracted plenty of international
interest on Thursday with buyers coming from all over the globe, and the opening session
began in good fashion, with a pair of yearlings breaking the R2 million barrier.
Leading the session was Lot No. 102, ONE SUNDAY MORNING (Jet Master), who realized a
final bid of R2.5 million from prominent Gauteng owner Ebrahim Khan. A member of
the Klawervlei Stud consignment, the dark bay colt is out
of Laptop Lady (Al Mufti), dam of R40 million earner and South African Horse of
the Year Jay Peg (Camden Park). Jay Peg
won both the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) and Singapore Airlines International Cup
(Mal-G1) in 2008 and
now stands at Klawervlei.
It didn’t take long for another yearling to sell for R2 million, and that was
Lot 106. Consigned by agent Klipdrif Stud, the son of top South African-bred
sire Captain Al is out of Leading Game (Jallad), making him a half-brother to
Group 1 performer Lizarre
(Jet Master), who is now based in Dubai. Trainer Pat Shaw, who snapped up the colt, is based in
Singapore where he handles, amongst others, top sprinter Rocket Man (Viscount).
Proven sires were in great demand during Thursday’s session, with the stock
of top sires Western Winter and Captain Al. Jet Master, widely regarded as
one of the best stallions currently at stud in South Africa, had two yearlings
sell for R1 million or more.
Also sought after were yearlings by Silvano (Ger), who
was responsible LORD SILVANO, Lot 101, a colt from the family of Breeders Cup Juvenile
Turf (G2) winner Pluck (More Than Ready). Consigned by Varsfontein Stud, the son of
Lady Windsor (Al Mufti) was purchased by Shadwell for R1.7 million.
“Everyone has been tremendously positive and upbeat for this sale, and judging
on what I have seen, they have every right to be,” said Shadwell’s Racing
Manager Angus Gold, who signed the ticket on the Silvano colt. “The venue is wonderful, and
there are a number of wonderful horses up for sale, who compare favorably with
the horses I have bought at the country’s National Sale. Despite being in the
middle of a busy city, the horses at the sale have been remarkably settled and
relaxed.”
Also in attendance for the sale’s unveiling was leading bloodstock agent Jehan
Malherben, who was upbeat about the opening session.
“It is a wonderful concept, and the nice horses, like all sales, were hard to
buy,” Malherben remarked.
In total, nine yearlings surpassed the R1-million mark during the opening
session. Of 137 yearlings to pass through the ring, 105 changed hands — at a
clearance rate of 76.7 percent. At the conclusion of the day, the aggregate was
R43,680,000 and the average stood at R416,000.
The sale continues Friday, and complete results may be found at
www.tba.co.za.