AFTER a spectacular opening ceremony, the first session of the 2014 Cape Premier Yearling Sale got underway in explosive style on Thursday night, with Geoff Woodruff wasting no time in going to R1.5 million for Lot 4, a bay colt by Captain Al out of the Redoute’s Choice(AUS) mare Thin Red Line(AUS).

Shortly afterwards, Mrs Beck joined the fray, going to R1.7 million to secure Lot 21, a Var (USA) filly from the female family of Jay Peg and Whiteline Fever. The filly may have been named Its Complicated, but for Mrs Beck it was an easy decision. “It’s a female family that we do not have on Highlands, hence she will be a great asset to our broodmare brand. ”

Lot 28: Western Winter colt, R3.2-million.

The dust had barely settled before Lot 28 entered the ring. By recently deceased sire Western Winter (USA), the colt from the SA Fillies Classic winner Zaitoon, quickly breached the million Rand mark , with the hammer eventually falling at R3.2 million to Mike Bass on behalf of popular owner Marsh Shirtliff. “I stopped long ago”, Bass quipped, “it was Marsh who kept going!”

A hush fell over the auditorium as Lot 53, the beautiful Giant’s Causeway daughter of international Group winning mare Captain’s Lover, entered the ring. A fierce bidding war ensued before the hammer finally fell at R3.2 million, with Grant Pritchard-Gordon of Badgers Bloodstock signing on behalf of the partnership of Dr Andreas Jacobs and Christy Grassick. “She is an outstanding individual and in our opinion it was the best pedigree on the sale”, said Jacobs.

Gavin van Zyl may have had a bad week after his J & B Met runner No worries drew barrier 18, but his purchase of Lot 73 more than made up for it. By Champion Sire Distorted Humor(USA) out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Ebaraya(GB), the chestnut filly boasts The Queen’s champion staying filly Estimate under her second dam. Van Zyl had to dig deep to take the filly home, going to R2.75 million on behalf of Kenneth Pillay.

Rain in summer is not always welcome, but when the half brother to Champion Soft Falling Rain, aptly named Let It Rain was knocked down for R1.3 million to Hassen Adams, the prominent owner was delighted. “I went to R3.1 million on another lot as I thought this one would be out of my reach, so I am very pleased to have got him.”

Form Bloodstock paid R425,000 for Lot 74 (photo), a colt by VAR.

Newcomers Ridgemont Stud were looking for well bred fillies as potential stud prospects and they certainly made a good start when signing for Lot 43, an exquisite Var daughter out of Baltic Beauty, at R1.1 million. Regulars Mike Bass and Adriaan van Vuuren also added some well-related youngsters to their collections. Bass had to go to R1.3 million to secure Lot 60, a Trippi colt out of Crimson Blossom(IRE), from a well performed Aga Khan family, while Van Vuuren snapped up Lot 62, the beautiful grey son of Champion race mare Dancer’s Daughter.

At the end of Day One, the aggregate was R45.9 million with an average of R488 298 and a median of R325 000. Chris van Niekerk, Chairman of CTS was upbeat about the results achieved. “I thought today’s sale was steady and I believe tomorrow will be even stronger. While the average is slightly up on last year, the median is about the same.” Chief Operating Officer Adrian Todd echoed Van Niekerk’s sentiments. “Last year the top price was R3.25 million, this year we have already achieved that figure twice on Day One. Hence I am very happy with the results and we hope to build on it tomorrow.”

-Article and photos by Liesl King.