South Africa’s top foals

The Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale was held at the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) of South Africa this past weekend.

The sale took place over two days and although the first day’s top price of R3.75-million was never in danger of being breached, the solid prices of the opening day spilled over to the second and final day of sales.

BloodStock South Africa was thrilled with this year’s sales, the overall results showed a 13 percent increase in turnover from R122 533 000 in 2013 to R138 415 000 this year.

While the average stood at R347 776 up almost 18 percent on the R295 260 of 2013.

The median soared 20 percent from R200 000 to R240 000.

A total of 15 lots managed to break through the magical million barrier.

The top priced lot of the sales was Lot 38, a Silvano colt, offered by Wilgerbosdrift.

The colt named Nebula was purchased for R3.75-million by Hong Kong trainer Millard.

His dam is Grade Three winner Seeking The Wind, who has given birth to seven winners.

Just as he had done on the first day, Millard snared the second day’s most expensive lot when he out-bided Michael Azzie, giving R2.4-million for a son of Captain Al offered by Varsfontein Stud.

Sold as the sale’s fifth-last lot, Captain Nemo (Lot 524) was one of the most talked about horses all week and boasted a pedigree page out of the very top drawer.

His dam is none other than champion Promisefrommyheart.

Promisefrommyheart, not only a champion but also an impressive broodmare, has delivered five winners.

“He was one of my picks of the sale, a big, balanced colt and hopefully he will run,” said Millard.

“He too, will eventually find his way to Hong Kong.”

Captain Al was also the sire of the sale’s most expensive filly, Lot 490 12on Her Toes, was snapped up for R1.8-million by bloodstock agent John Freeman on behalf of owner Sabine Plattner.

Reflecting on what proved to be a successful sale, Tom Callaghan, CEO of Bloodstock SA, said “I’m absolute ecstatic, how can one not be.

“It was a genuine sale, money changed hands and it turned out that the right page and the right horse got the right money.

“What really pleased me was the median price which went up by 20 percent.

“While the top end of the buying bench lacked depth, the middle market was unbelievably strong.”

Top Lots from day one:

•  Lot 38: A colt, sold for R3.75-million.
•  Lot 44: A filly, sold for R2-million.

•  Lot 92: A colt, sold for R2-million.

•  Lot 97: A colt, sold for R1.8-million.

•  Lot 234: A filly, sold for R1.8-million.

•  Lot 140: A filly, sold for R1.4-million.

•  Lot 30: A filly, sold for R1.4-million.

Top Lots from day two:

•  Lot 524: A colt, sold for R2.4-million.

•  Lot 487: A colt, sold for R2-million.

•  Lot 490: A filly, sold for R1.8-million.

•  Lot 473: A colt, sold for R1.6-million.

•  Lot 296: A colt, sold for R1.2-million.

•  Lot 381: A filly, sold for R1.2-million.

•  Lot 428: A colt, sold for R1-million.

For those wishing to make on-line bids on youngsters who were not sold, visit Bloodstock SA’s website, www.tba.co.za.