Not for the first time this year, a yearling sired by deceased champion sire Captain Al proved popular at a major BSA auction.

Captain Al was the leading sire, by aggregate, at  Session 1 of this year’s Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale, where his lots grossed over R21 million and averaged R1 444 333.

On Thursday, it was an unnamed Captain Al filly (Lot 93) who proved the smash hit on day one of the 2018 KZN Yearling Sale by topping the day’s proceedings.

The session topping filly, who was consigned by Eugene Freeman’s Boland Stud, was knocked down to trainer Louis Goosen for R320 000.

She is out of the winning Rich Man’s Gold mare Americas Cup, a half-sister to upset G1 Met winner Martial Eagle and to the Brett Crawford trained dual Algoa Cup victor Nebula.

Boland Stud, as agent, also consigned the day’s joint topping second lot, a What A Winter filly (Lot 27) who was knocked down to prominent owner Nic Jonsson for R300 000.,

Top colt sold at Thursday’s day of trading was a son of the Highlands Stud bred and based triple G1 Jackson. That Jackson colt (Lot 79) has been named Winter Jack with the Highlands Stud consigned yearling fetched R300 000 to the bid of Eight Mile Lodge.

Despite being held in a tough economic climate, the KZN Yearling Sale once again proved popular and was attended by breeders and buyers from all over South Africa. The popularity of the sale was reflected by increases in both the average and median prices.

Bloodstock South Africa’s Gary Grant was satisfied with the sale’s overall results, and commented post-sale,” It was great to see both the average and median rise for the KZN Yearling Sale. I am very pleased by how well the sale has fared in what continues to prove a tough climate for breeders in general.”

A full list of prices for Thursday’s session can be viewed at www.bsa.co.za