THE 2016 BSA National Two Year Old Sale at the TBA’s complex in Germiston concluded with an all-time record average for a South  African Two Year Old Sale on Friday evening. The aggregate, average, and median prices all enjoyed notable increases in what turned out to be a surprisingly buoyant market.

The aggregate for the Two Year Old Sale increased this year to R23 920 000, from R22 872 000 in 2015,  despite the fact that 80 fewer lots were catalogued. However it was the growth in average and median prices were proved particularly encouraging, with the average rising 35% from R89 344 to  R120 808 this year, and the median rising by 30% (from R50  000 to R65 000).

The sale was topped by a son of Silvano, consigned by Klipdrif Stud on behalf of Willem Engelbrecht Jr. Lot 218, who is out of the winning Jallad mare Boston Tea Party, was knocked down  to Form Bloodstock to top the sale at R2 100 000.

Named William Junior, the handsome bay is a half brother to 4 winners, including G2 Betting World 1900 winner Solid Speed (by Dynasty) and G3 Jubilee Handicap  runner up Rainy Day Blues (by Western Winter).   Boston Tea Party herself is a full sister to G1 Premier Champion Stakes winner Talahatchie.

Klipdrif enjoyed a magnificent sale, consigning the sales topping colt and, as agent, the sales-topping filly, Lantana Lady, who  was  knocked down to Varsfontein Stud for R800 000.

Form Bloodstock ended the sales as  the leading buyer. The Cape based organisation  purchased 8 lots for R3 955 000, including the top Silvano colt. Not surprisingly, Klipdrif Stud (As Agent) ended the 2016 National Two Year  Old Sale as leading vendors –with the Robertson based farm  enjoying a truly magnificent sale.  Klipdrif (as agent)  consigned both the top priced colt and filly –and sold a  total of 15 two-year-olds for a gross total of R4 995 000.

Former champion sire Silvano, South Africa’s second leading sire by stakes in 2015-2016, was the top sire at the auction. He had seven lots fetch R2 975 000 for a healthy average of R425 000, and topped the sires standings ahead of Captain Al,  Ideal World, Sail From Seattle and Judpot.

Michael Holmes, who ran the sale in partnership with the Equine Group, was upbeat about the sale’s positive outcome. “It was a well supported sale and the turnover increase markedly from last year.  The positive spin from the sale was that all sections of the  market held up well –and for that, we must thank both the  vendors, who presented a quality horse, as well as  our many loyal buyers.

The Two Year Old Sale attracted interest from both local and international buyers, which  included Robert Chung from Hong Kong, as well as our loyal  Dubai, Kenyan, Mauritian and Zimbabwean patrons. This adds further positive proof of the appeal of the South African Thoroughbred.  Sale graduates qualify for the two R1 million races to be run in August next year at Scottsville.”

A full list of prices and statistics for the 2016 National Two Year  Old Sale can be viewed online at www.tba.co.za