THE 2017 Cape Premier Yearling Sale ended with a sensational performance by the female three-piece Fever Trio – a singer, saxophonist and violist all brilliant at what they do.

This wasn’t a music concert staged at the Cape International Convention Centre, but CTS Chairman Chris van Niekerk and a group of his friends enjoyed the melodic dénouement to the event so much that they started dancing at the tables and joining in, late Sunday night.

It was a horse sale yes, and first things first – but if you start a project in a bold and flashy way, that’s what you have to build on and CTS have succeeded now in making the Premier Yearling Sale a ‘lifestyle event’ instead of just another sale.

Lot 112: Horse Chestnut colt bought for Mike de Kock by Form Bloodstock.

Turf Talk columnist David Allan describes CPYS as a “logistical masterpiece with enormous generosity and an international flavour’’ and Van Niekerk, speaking before his Luciano Pavarotti impersonation, commented: “I, we are truly delighted with the outcome and results of the sale, which in my view was really and truly international for the first time.

“We had 14 international companies on the buyers’ bench including the mighty Coolmore, whose representatives MV and Tom Magnier bought big and Tom agreed to be interviewed for his positive views on our racing. Coolmore prefer to keep media things low-key so this was a blessing, Tom and the other internationals firmly share our commitment to get our export protocols resolved, they are fully behind us and willing to do whatever they can to help us.’’

Van Niekerk complimented CTS MD Adrian Todd, Sales Manager Amanda Carey and the team of professionals around them and said; “I am very proud of what this team has achieved in just a short few years. We’ve had criticism along the way, but I’ve always believed in focusing on one’s own concerns and working dedicatedly to make things happen, instead of fussing over a band of critics.’’

The two-day sale turned over R155,225, an all-time record and 14.35% up on the 2016 renewal.The average price per yearling was R699,212, up 16.9% on 2016.

The top lot was Charles (Lot 32) a Trippi colt from a Dynasty mare, consigned by Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud and knocked down to Magnier.

Kuda Holdings secured the second highest priced colt, Sovereign Sway (Lot 220)at R5.75m. This one is by Dynasty, and the first foal of Gr1 winning Jet Master-mare Viva Maria (rated AR 102), consigned by Lammerskraal Stud.

The consistently excellent yearlings produced by Captain Al ensured that he was the leading stallion at the sale, securing R28,475 million for 18 colts and fillies and keeping Klawervlei Stud at the top of the vendor’s list with R47.075-million worth of horseflesh sold.

With Wehann Smith opening his shoulders, Kuda emerged as the leading buyer, securing 11 lots for a total of R9,950-million.

The next CTS Sale is the March Yearling Sale on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March, 2017.

View the full CPYS 2017 results here.