A colt by Equus Champion and G2 Godolphin Mile winner Soft Falling Rain topped the 2018 Cape Yearling Sale, which took place at the Mistico Equestrian Centre on Sunday.

Consigned by Wilgerbosdrift (who stand Soft Falling Rain), the sales topper, who went by the name of Tree Of Wisdom, was knocked down to Bass Racing for R200 000.

Tree Of Wisdom, catalogued as lot 79 in Sunday’s auction, is out of the three time winning Western Winter mare Minerva, with his notable relatives including recent G2 Zabeel Mile winner Janoobi.

Lot 79:Top seller.

Wilgerbosdrift also consigned the sales’ top filly, a filly by Master Of My Fate, who was sold to Form Bloodstock for owner Ian Longmore for R170 000. Catalogued as lot 13, the filly named Shoshana was produced by the five time winning Tiger Ridge mare Susanna –whose relatives include Master Of My Fate himself. 

The sale proved favourable for buyers, with many an owner and trainer able to snap up some tremendous buys.

Wilgerbosdrift was the top vendor at the sale, with their nine lots to sell grossing R865 000.

Form Bloodstock were the Cape Sale’s leading buyers, with Jehan Malherbe signing for five yearlings to gross R610 000.

The Drakenstein Stud based champion What A Winter headed the sires’ list, with the former star sprinter having six lots fetch R540 000. Remarkably, the top three stallions at the sale, What A Winter, Master Of My Fate and Soft Falling Rain, are all South African bred sires.

The sales’ aggregate was R4 075 000, with the clearance rate solid as 72 yearlings of the 86 lots were sold (nine yearlings were withdrawn).

On a positive note, the sales’ median price rose 25% from R40 000 to R50 000.

Bloodstock South Africa’s Michael Holmes commented after the sale, “It was wonderful to see such a great turnout for the sale. While the economy continues to be a demanding one, we can take pleasure in the fact that the median rose this year, while the clearance rate for the Cape Sale also increased from last year. BSA would once again like to thank all the loyal breeders and buyers who continue to support local sales in this climate.”

A full list of prices for the sale can be viewed online at www.bsa.co.za