THE Emperors Palace 2011 Ready To Run Sale came to a conclusion on Sunday.

The sale was largely dominated by well bred, imported 2yos. The aggregate for the sale was R31 030 000, well up on last year’s total of R23 685 000. While the not solds increased from two to 15 in 2011, the overall average was comfortably up on last year’s sale.

The average price for the 2011 sale was R189 207, while last year the average was R154 804. This is an increase of nearly 20% which is a remarkable statistic in this turbulent economy.

The prices reflect the popularity enjoyed by the imported horses, who were much sought after in the sales ring.

The sale was topped by lot 35, who was knocked down for R1.5 million to Form Bloodstock. A superb looking son of Royal Academy, the unnamed colt is out of the Medicean mare Dubai’s Fairy. The colt was consigned by Summerhill Sales.

Lot 180: Duke Of Medina.

The other lot to make R1 million was lot 180. A son of Rock of Gibraltar, the colt was also purchased by Form Bloodstock. Like the sales topper, lot 180 was consigned by Summerhill Sales.

The top priced filly on the sale was lot 71, a daughter of El Prado. Consigned by Summerhill Sales, the grey filly was bought by Anfield Sports for R900 000.

Imported sires truly dominated the sale and the top nine horses are all overseas imports.

Summerhill Stud’s Mick Goss was pleased with the overall result of the sale, saying,”It was a record turnover for the sale, which in these tough times is truly remarkable. This sale is also a tribute to the spirit of South Africans, who have shown their spirit and resilience at the sale. People remained until the last lot sold, and there was a million rand available with just five lots to sell.”

The TBA’s CEO Jan Naude was also satisfied by the one day sale, commenting,” The pin hooked imports really stole the show, But there was still good money for the good locally bred individual.”

A full list of results are available on the website. See www.tba.co.za