NEWLY formed Cape Thoroughbred Sales Pty Ltd has announced their sponsorship of Cape Town’s principle race for three-year-olds, the 68th renewal of the Cape Guineas (Gr 1).

Making the announcement, CEO, Robin Bruss, noted that the race will carry a purse of R1million and the race will be re-named the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Guineas (Gr 1).

“We’re excited to have this opportunity”, said Bruss,  “and I would like to thank the TBA for making the race available to us.  It is a perfect launchpad for the new sales company as it points directly at their two major sales, Cape Premier Yearling Sales, Book 1, and Cape Premier Yearling Sales Book 2.  In addition, the Guineas has such a long history of producing champion racehorses that have influenced the course of the breed, that it’s a natural championship event worthy of our support”.

South Africa’s two current homegrown Champion Sires, Jet Master and Captain al, both won the Cape Guineas, whilst legends such as Colorado King, Hawaii and Horse Chestnut, all won the race before racing in USA with great success.  All three went to stud in the USA and sired Gr.1 Winners in North America.

Horse Chestnut, who won the Guineas by 7.75 lengths – the widest winning margin – returned from stud in Kentucky and will have his first local crop at the Cape Premier Yearling Sales in 2012.  Jay Peg, who won the 2006 Cape Guineas and went on to win the $5m Dubai Duty Free S. Gr.1 and the $3m Singapore Airlines International Cup Gr.1 in a stellar career, will also be represented by his first crop at the 2012 Cape Premier Yearling Sales, as will the 2005 winner Express Way.

Cape Thoroughbred Sales Pty Ltd was formed in July this year specifically to run commercial auctions in the Western Cape.  It has 8 directors : Andreas Jacobs (Maine Chance), Gaynor Rupert (Drakenstein), Mike Sharkey (Highlands), Markus Jooste (Klawervlei), Mary Slack (Wilgerbosdrift),  Mick Goss (Summerhill), Ashley Parker (Ascot) and Craig Carey (Arc en Ciel).

The Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1  (26-27 January, 2012) with  348 selected yearlings follows on from the inaugural event in 2011, which was greatly successful, attracting buyers from 15 countries.  The 2012 event heralds a bigger, more expansive event, targeting international  and national buyers on the premise that horses purchased ought to remain in South Africa and race here before eventual export.  As in the inaugural sale, the venue is the indoor Cape Town International Convention Centre, which received rave reviews as something unique, entertaining and exciting to attend.

Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book (3-4th March) took over the old Equimark Vintage Sale when Equimark recently closed, and combined it with the TBA’s regional sale.  It will comprise between 400 + yearlings and is set to attract owners and trainers from all over South Africa.  The sale is held with the sanction of the TBA of South Africa as a joint initiative.  The two sales attracted 857 entries, which are currently being screened by inspectors, John Kramer of South Africa and Keeneland’s Assistant Director of Sales, Tom Thornbury, who arrived from Kentucky on Sunday.  The final number catalogued will be determined by quality, not quantity.

“CTS enjoys great support from Cape breeders, who produce around 80% of the national crop”, says Bruss, “ We ‘re excited to be setting up new initiatives with a series of must attend events, starting with the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Guineas and leading all the way through to the Sales days. We promise interesting and exciting times, opportunity and enjoyment – and ultimately, racing and sales at their finest, as they are meant to be. “

The R1m Cape Premier Yearling Sale Guineas (Gr.1) will be run at Kenilworth on December 19th, 2011.

Photo: Solo Traveller beats Run For It and Kavanagh in the 2010 Cape Guineas.