THE auditorium at the TBA’s Gosforth Park Sales Complex did a double take at the 2015 National Yearling Sales on Thursday when Lot 221 Savannah Cat, a filly by Fort Wood out of Kapen Cat, was consigned by Lammerskraal Stud and became the most expensive filly ever sold in South Africa when the hammer fell at R4,75 million.

Savannah Cat: “”Outstanding!”

She was bought by Mike Rattray who commented, “I always liked her as a baby and should never have sold her when I sold the farm (Lammerskraal Stud). I told Angus (Gold) that I was going to get her no matter what.  People forget that I’m not out of racing, I’m just out of breeding,” and he confirmed that the exquisite filly is earmarked for trainer Alistair Gordon.

Lammerskraal’s Sally Jourdan (now Bruss) was very happy, saying it was “Absolutely fantastic. I thought she’d be one of the top fillies of the sale. She’s really outstanding, with lots of depth and presence and is a really great walker. Hard to fault, really. Her dam is a half sister to Western Winter which would have helped as well. Kapen Cat currently has a Silvano colt at foot and is in foal to What A Winter.”

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Lot 235, a colt named Cassius, by Horse Chestnut out of Lady Helen was consigned by Mauritzfontein Stud and knocked down to Shadwell South Africa’s Angus Gold for R1,2 million. Gold said “He looks a hard-knocking type with a great attitude.” Mauritzfontein’s Guy Murdoch said that it was one of the best individuals he’s ever taken to a sale. “He’s a full brother to Banbury and we’re thrilled with the price, but they did buy well.”

Another head-turner who may be destined for foreign shores, was Lot 238 Lord Windermere, a Trippi colt out of Lady Windermere, consigned by Drakenstein Stud and knocked down to Simmerton Stud for R1,2 million. Tony Millard, who signed for the colt, said “I thought it was the best Trippi on the sale. He’s very well related and so we had a go. The Trippi’s are versatile and I think they will like the dirt in Hong Kong. He was a late foal, so he’s a little immature, but will develop well. You’ve got to believe in a horse, but you can’t run for them, so we’ll wait and see. He will stay here for the time being and then we’ll take a judgement whether or not to take him abroad.”

The third and final day of the 2015 National Yearling Sales takes place on Friday, 24 April, when Lots 331 – 449 will be led through the ring.  Bidding gets underway at 1pm.

-extracted from Sporting Post.