BLOODSTOCK SA host the Emperors Palace National Two-Year-Old Sale in Germiston on Friday and Sunday of this week and they’ll be delighted that two of the country’s leading studs – Highlands and Maine Chance – have sent strong drafts. 

“Certainly, the quality of the two year-olds who will come under the hammer has been boosted by both Highlands and Maine Chance consigning some choicely-bred youngsters,” said Bloodstock CEO, Tom Callaghan, yesterday. 

Highlands are usually huge vendors at the National Yearling Sale in April, but this year the majority of their best yearlings were offered at the Cape Premier Sale in January. 

This time Highlands have brought up a total of 20 two-year-olds and will be selling six of these as agents. On day two of the sale next Sunday, auctioneer Graeme Hawkins can expect plenty of bids to come his way for the stud’s American-bred filly, Gin Rummy. 

A daughter of Gr 1 winner Tapit, Gin Rummy (lot 208) is the fourth produce of the one-time winner, Baccarat Babe, whose offspring, Roan Bullet and Idon’tcarepierre, are both winners. 

Tapit is the new stallion sensation in the United States. He was responsible for an astonishing three Breeders Cup winners last year with Tapitsfly winning the Breeders Cup Turf, Hansen Breeders Cup Juvenile and Stardom Bound the Breeders Cup Juvenile for fillies. 

Maine Chance send a draft of 17 two year-olds and they include two sons of Mount Nelson whose wins under the care of Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien included the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. 

An Australian-bred colt by Mount Nelson (lot 25) comes up early on Friday, and he should prove popular considering his dam, Mirth, is a half-sister to Gr 3 winner, Hoofit.

The second son of Mount Nelson will enter the sale ring early on Sunday and this two year-old, named Woodstock Express, is related to two outstanding South African performers in Profit Report and Seattle Ice who both also won races in Mauritius. 

Clifton Stud will be delighted that Super Trouper has just notched the fifth win of his career as they’ll be offering his half-sister (lot 70) by Jam Alley on Friday. 

Scott Bros enjoyed a successful sale in KZN prior to the Durban July and their 29-strong draft includes a half-brother to Markofdistinction (lot 12) who is by increasingly-popular stallion, Miesque’s Approval. The same sire is responsible for lot 88 who is a half-sister to the useful Mogok’s Desire. 

Trainer Gavin van Zyl enjoyed an outstanding 2011/12 season and he’ll be running th rule over the Scott Bros well-named filly, Keep Your Hat On (lot 60). This daughter of Atso is a half-sister to Van Zyl’s juvenile winner, Snappy Lad, who is expected to do well for the stable in the new campaign. 

The sire, Silvano, is well represented on the two-day sale and Connemara Stud will be expecting some spirited bidding for his daughter, Final Factor (lot 247), towards the end of Sunday’s session. This filly is a half-sister to State Factor whose four wins included the Gr 2 Fillies Nursery.

Royal Air Force is a recent addition to the stallion ranks and his two year-old, Hidden Gun (lot 334), is another interesting offering by Maine Chance. The colt is a half-brother to the six-time winners, Hidden Beauty and Hidcote Ridge. 

Also on Sunday, Bush Hill Stud will be selling a Tiger Ridge filly (lot 360) who is well-related as she’s a half-sister to seven-time winner African Appeal and six-time scorer, Mary Lou.

Photo per illustration, from summerhill.co.za