Record breaking sale ushers in the horseracing legends of the future

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]iscerning buyers of the best racehorse stock in South Africa recently gathered for the sales arm of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA), Bloodstock South Africa’s (BSA) National Two-Year-Old Sale. Held at the TBA Sales Complex in Gosforth Park, Johannesburg, this year’s event saw a record breaking increase in overall earnings from R22 872 000 in 2015 to R23 920 000 this year, despite 80 fewer horses going up for auction. Further success included a 35% increase in the average price paid per horse which rose from R89 344 in 2015 to R120 808 this year and a 30% rise in the median price from R50 000 in 2015 to R65 000 this year.

William Junior fetches a cool R2,1 million

The highpoint of the sale arrived when colt William Junior was sold to Form Bloodstock for the sales topping price of R2 100 000. William Junior was consigned by Klipdrif Stud on behalf of Willem Engelbrecht. This exceptional colt is the son of former champion sire Silvano and half-brother to current top performer Solid Speed, the recent winner of the Betting World 1900 Grade 2, as well as three other race winning Thoroughbreds. Continuing their success Klipdrif Stud also consigned, as agent, the sale’s top priced filly, Lantana Lady who was sold to Varsfontein Stud for R800 000. As the daughter of former champion sire Captain Al and a sister to Listed Java Handicap hero Fulcrum, Lantana Lady was an obvious favourite at this year’s auction.

Comments Susan Rowett, TBA Chairperson: “The success of the 2016 two-year-old sale is testament to the quality of racehorse that the BSA sales have become synonymous with. Past graduates include the likes of Talktothestars, Bela-Bela and Noah From Goa, all of whom have won Grade 1 races in the past year. Based on the standard of this year’s two-year-olds, we are sure to see more greats amongst their ranks. Graduates of the sale automatically qualify to run in one of the R1 million races being held in Scottsville next year and we’re looking forward to seeing them in action.”

Robertson based Klipdrif Stud emerged as this year’s highest grossing vendor, generating an overall sum of R4 995 000 from the sale. Form Bloodstock was the top buyer, investing in eight Thoroughbreds for a combined total of R3 955 000. Former championship sire Silvano fathered a total of seven of the Thoroughbreds that were knocked down during last week’s auction, to fetch a combined value of R2 975 000.

Photography: Candiese Marnewick