THE 2014 Cape Premier Yearling Sale concluded at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Friday night with an aggregate of R103,025,000, an increase of 4.7%, while the average of R572,361 increased by a solid 18.5%. In a surprising upturn for the book, fillies trumped the colts when it came to the sales toppers. Joint top price of R3.2 million was shared between two fillies, Lot 53 and Lot 161 and one colt, Lot 28. In total 6 fillies sold for over R2 million, with an aggregate of R17.05 million, while the 6 colts to breach the R2 million mark only achieved an aggregate of R16.5 million. A first for South Africa!

Shadwell South Africa’s Angus Gold indicated his intentions early on in Session Two of the Sale when he signed for Lot 114. After being underbidder on several lots during Session One, a determined Gold had to go to R3 million in order to secure the very smart Dynasty colt out of the Jallad mare, Jabulani Jive. “He is one of the nicest colts around and though his female side is a bit light, he is a tremendous athlete with a fantastic temperament. Sheikh Hamdan’s aim is to get a nice horse that can race here, before heading to Dubai and so far it has worked well”, Gold explained.  After buying Soft Falling Rain (Equus Champion Two Year Old Colt; G2 Joel Stakes, G2 Godolphin Mile) at the 2011 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, Gold has been a regular visitor.

It wasn’t long before one of the talk horses of the sale, Lot 144 entered the ring. A spirited bidding battle ensued, but at R2.5 million it was Jehan Malherbe’s Form Bloodstock who signed for the beautifully bred Distorted Humor (USA) colt out of the A.P Indy mare Ms. Blue Blood (USA). Mike de Kock was delighted to add such an outstanding colt to his string. “I’m not sure we in South Africa understand how good Distorted Humor is and it’s a proper female line. A real international pedigree. You’d pay R2.5 million for him any day.” (Headline photo:”Distorted Humor colt – Lot 144).

One lot later, De Kock had to settle for being the underbidder as Derek Brugman on behalf of Mayfair Speculators, matched the R2.5 million, this time for the Var filly Varumba out of Muamba (ARG).  Brugman commented that for him it was one of the nicest fillies on the sale and that she would be trained by Vaughan Marshall.  Brugman went on to explain that it has become internationally accepted that a good filly can be as good, if not better, than a good colt. One only has to look at the likes of Black Caviar and Treve, currently leading the international classification and who can forget the brilliant Zenyatta or Arc Queen Danedream?

South Africa now seems to be following this trend with 2 fillies breaching the R2.5 million mark on day one, including Lot 53, who achieving the highest price ever paid for a yearling filly in South Africa at R3.2 million. Not to be outdone, Goodhope Racing matched that figure when Joey Ramsden went to R3.2 million for Lot 161, a Trippi daughter from the famous Wild Hyacinth family that has produced the likes of globetrotters Victory Moon, Imbongi and Kelly. The colts however did not stand back for the ladies for too long as Michael Roberts signed for Lot 164, the Silvano full brother to J&B met runner Punta Arenas at R2 million on behalf of Dennis & Gail Evans. Evans confirmed that the colt is eventually destined to join his horses in Singapore.

It may have been a foreign pedigree, but Dennis Drier knows a good horse when he sees one. The Speightstown (USA) colt out of the Storm Cat mare Rubicat from the family of Chief Bearhart was one of four beautifully bred yearlings imported in utero by Klawervlei Stud, a gamble that certainly paid off.  Consigned as Lot 178, Drier had to fight off fierce opposition before the hammer finally came down at R3 million. “Its unbelievalble, I have never bought a horse for that much before, but he is an outstanding individual”, said a visibly relieved Drier.

Sean Tarry was next in deciding that some foreign blood would not go amiss as he signed for Lot 184, a Distorted Humor (USA) filly out of the A.P. Indy mare Seattle Weekend (USA) on behalf of Rainbow Beach Trading. Tarry, who had to go to R3 million to take the filly home, commented that she had a beautiful pedigree and a great walk.

As the sale drew to a close, it was Form Bloodstock on behalf of Khaya Racing and Angus Gold on behalf of Shadwell South Africa, who had the last say. Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe crossed swords with Charles Laird over Lot 189, a Silvano colt aptly named Single Sword, before emerging victorious at R2.8 million. While Gold struck another blow for the fairer sex when he went to R2.4 million for Lot 200, a Captain Al filly out of the A. P. Indy mare Super Singer.

Klawervlei ended the sale as top vendor with an aggregate of R30.9 million for 40 lots followed by Maine Chance Farms and Highlands Stud. Current Champion Sire Silvano heads the sires list with an aggregate of R13.4 million for 20 lots averaging R670,000, just piping Captain Al, who sold 20 yearlings for R13.225 million. Trippi filled the third spot with a healthy R12.025 million for 16 lots.

Rainbow Beach Trading tops the buyers list with Chris van Niekerk signing for 11 lots totalling R7,650,000. Mike Bass bought 7 lots for R7,425,000, while John Freeman accounted for 15 lots costing R6,700,000. CTS Chief Operating Officer Adrian Todd expressed his delight at the 18.5% increase in the average. “The Cape Premier Yearling Sale is now firmly entrenched on the international sales calendar.  The Sale has grown year on year since its inception and the CTS Million Dollar (race) has just added a further incentive for both local and international buyers.”

“It’s the best evening sale this country has ever seen”, quipped CTS Chairman Chris van Niekerk – and he may very well be right with R57,125,000 being aggregate for Session Two.