Yearling sale a great success
National Yearling Sale celebrates success in tough economic climate.
A selection of South Africa’s top fillies and colts went under the hammer at the annual Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.
The annual event, which is a must on the racing calendar, was held from April 24 to 26 at Bloodstock South Africa’s (BSA) sales complex in Gosforth Park.
This year’s sales were deemed a resounding success, with a good spread of money across the board – despite having to overcome a tough economic climate.
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Not only did the sale produce a record price buy for the National Yearling Sale, but a good atmosphere and tremendous vibe led to a consistently strong and positive market.
Late champion sire Captain Al enjoyed a truly sensational sale and was responsible for four of the top six lots sold.
The eight-times champion sire grossed R21 665 000 for his 15 yearlings sold.
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The filly was one of six yearlings of the former champion to fetch more than a million rand during the auction.
However, it was the dynasty colt, Track Attack, who topped the sale chart when he was bought by Form Bloodstock for a whopping R5.2-million.
The three-day sale ended with an aggregate of R140 240 000, which was an increase of an impressive 25 per cent on the 2017 National Sale’s gross total of R112 075 000.
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In addition to the increase in aggregate, a great positive noted at the sale was that each day saw an 80 per cent clearance rate.
Form Bloodstock ended the 2018 National Yearling Sale as the leading buyers, with Jehan Malherbe signing for 37 lots for a gross total of R22 050 000, while Mauritzfontein was the leading vendor, with the farm grossing R13 615 000 for their draft.
Bloodstock South Africa’s Gary Grant was delighted by the sale’s success.
“The National Yearling Sale was a resounding success on every level and represents a triumph for the industry as a whole.
“The overwhelming comments I have heard about the tremendous vibe and positive atmosphere enjoyed at the sale were exceeded only by the quality of the drafts presented by the vendors as a whole.
“The sale’s success can also be viewed as a comment on the fair and free trade practised at the Bloodstock South Africa (BSA) auctions.
“We are deeply grateful for the quality of the drafts presented at the sale, while the spread of money across the sale also ensured many smaller breeders enjoyed memorable success.
“A big thank you goes to the international buyers for their participation in this sale,” he said.
A full list of prices and statistics for the sale can be viewed at www.bsa.co.za
