Fireworks as the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 2 comes to a close

Photography and Journalism by Liesl King


After two days of red hot bidding, the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 2 concluded on Sunday evening with an aggregate of R27 120 000 and an average of R107 194. Adrian Todd, Chief Operating Officer of Cape Thoroughbred Sales summed up the sale. “We are very happy with outcome of Book 2. The Challenge Series Race initiative appears to have been a huge success. The number of unsold horses decreased drastically and the cross section of buyers was definitely more varied than usual. A number of trainers specifically seemed to have been looking for that one horse to win the race and possibly the R1 million trainer’s bonus.”


LOT 129

After a relatively peaceful Day one, Day two started with a bang as Charles Laird forked out R280 000 for Lot 129, the Al American(AUS) filly out of the Rock Of Gibraltar mare Artistic Rock(AUS) consigned by Klawervlei Stud. John Koster MD of Klawervlei confirmed that Artistic Rock had been imported with the filly in utero adding that it was great blood to have in South Africa.
Laird has a bit of history with the family having bought All American’s sister. All American had been favourite for the Golden Slipper, Australia’s Premier Two-Year-Old race, before changing hands on the eve of the race when purchased by Arrowfield’s John Messara. Laird added that it is a staying pedigree and should be perfectly suited to winning the CTS Challenge Race in 2015.
It seems Sean Tarry likes to get his purchases completed early on as four lots later he paid R350 000 for Lot 133, a Dynasty colt out of the Theatrical mare Balabos consigned by Highlands Farm Stud. Tarry and Chris van Niekerk again teaming up to get a sibling of one of their successful runners, with Lot 133, Dream Of Glory, being a half brother to Always Al, a winner of seven. ” Always Al takes his place in the Grade 3 King’s Cup over 1600m today and I figured this is a good a time as any to buy the colt” Tarry said.


LOT 144

The ink was barely dry on the acknowledgement of purchase form, before Tarry added Lot 144 to his collection. By Captain Al out of the Lambent Light mare Budding Beauty, the hammer fell on the handsome bay colt at R450 000, equalling the sales topper from Day one. Tarry explained that the colt was the best walker on the sale and although not big, he was very athletic.
John Koster, MD of vendor Klawervlei Stud, was very pleased with Tarry as purchaser. “Sean Tarry has proved year in and year out that he is an extremely good selector of horses. The colt is a typical Captain Al from the family of Shea Shea and should be very competitive in the CTS Challenge Race.
Almost twenty lots later Mike Bass joined the fray signing for Lot 163, an Antonius Pius (USA) colt out of the Cryptoclearance mare Code Eleven(USA). Consigned by The Alchemy the hammer fell at R320 000 after some spirited bidding, with vendor Philip Kahan pointing out that Code Eleven was the only Cryptoclearance mare in South Africa. Bass added that he thought the colt was a nice big sort with extraordinary elastic movement from a promising young sire and well worth his purchase price.
After a lengthy quiet spell over lunch, Derek Brugman livened up proceedings by signing for Lot 206, a colt by Antonius Pius out of the Desert Team mare Fly to the Stars, consigned by Highlands Farm Stud. The handsome bay colt cost a mere R300 000 and will be trained by Joey Ramsden. “His sire is off to a flying start and I had the brother”, said Ramsden. “He is a smashing colt from a very good family and he seems to have more quality than his brother”, he added.
Antonius Pius has been setting the tracks alight with only one of his racing offspring unplaced to date. “He is a lovely colt and we are thrilled with what Antonius Pius is doing on the track so far”, said Mike Sharkey, manager of Highlands Farm Stud.
With only 24 lots to go, the sale suddenly caught alight as Mayfair Speculators bought Lot 261, a Jay Peg colt out of the National Assembly mare Limber Pine and Lot 268, a Greys Inn(USA) colt out of the Rich Man’s Gold mare Love Or Money for R500 000 each, both becoming new joint sales toppers.
Lot 261, the Jay Peg colt named Endless Tundra is destined for Joe Soma, who said that for him it was the best horse on the sale by far. “He definitely looked like the type that could win the CTS Challenge Race.” Derek Brugman explained that the unnamed Greys Inn colt, Lot 268 would be taking up residence with Dennis Drier. “He is a well topped, classic horse that we liked a lot”, he added.
Vendor, Graeme Koster of Rosedene Stud, who also stands Greys Inn, was extremely pleased with the price the colt achieved. “Greys Inn is definitely upgrading his mares and having thrown a Group 1 winner from his first crop, he is certainly doing nothing wrong”, he said.


LOT 271

And still the fireworks continued with Lot 271, a Trippi colt out of the Doowaley mare Majestic Star, being knocked down to Mike Bass after some spirited bidding. Bass had to go to R575 000 to secure the colt, thereby making him the new sales topper. “He reminded me of Model Man, whose family he is from and I hope he will be a serious contender for the Challenge Series Race”, Bass explained. “He is a lovely horse, who walks very well and is hard to fault, a typical Trippi”, added Ross Fuller, manager of vendor Drakenstein Stud.
Klawervlei Stud topped the vendor listing with 31 yearlings going under the hammer for a total of R3 945 000 and an average of 127 258. Highlands Farm Stud filled the second position, selling nine yearlings for R1 975 000 and with a very good average of R219 444. First season sire sensation Seventh Rock(AUS) continued dominating the sire listing, with 16 yearlings passing through the ring for R2 285 000, with another Klawervlei sire, Captain Al in second with 8 yearlings totalling R2 085 000. Topping the buyer list was Mayfair Speculators, who purchased 12 yearlings for R3 165 000, followed by Rainbow Beach Trading with 14 yearlings for R2 265 000.

Thanks again Liesl and all the best to the purchasers