For a second year in a row, the Cape Premier Yearling Sale was topped by a Drakenstein Stud consigned colt who fetched R6 000 000. (Last year, the Drakenstein consigned Silvano colt Silver Coin became the most expensive yearling sold at a South African auction when fetching R6 000 000.)
However, the 2017 Premier Sale topper was a son of Drakenstein’s reigning champion sire Trippi.
The colt, named Charles, came up early on the first day of trading, and was knocked down to Coolmore’s MV Magnier.
Magnier said of the colt, “He’s from a top-class nursery and is an outstanding individual. We’ve bought him together with a couple of partners, and are delighted to have got him.”
The Premier Sale clearly made a positive impression on Magnier, who commented on the Premier’s Sale increasingly popularity with international buyers, “This is a fantastic sale and a wonderful place to come to. The effort they’ve put in is amazing and there are some lovely horses here. I’ve also been racing a couple of times here and have been very impressed.
“We’ve been in partnership with Markus Jooste for a couple of years now and we look forward to a great future with him.”
Charles, who is out of the G2 Ipi Tombe Challenge winner Demanding Lady (by Dynasty), hails from the same family as former top sire Silver Hawk and Coolmore current sire, and former champion, War Command.
Top filly sold at the 2017 CPYS was a daughter of unbeaten superstar Frankel, who was sold to Justin Casse for R4 000 000. The filly, who is out of Fastnet Rock mare Little Fastnet, was consigned to the sale by Klawervlei Stud as agent.
The Premier Sale ended with a new record aggregate for the sale, of R155 225 000, up by over 14% from last year, while the average increased by 16%, and ended with R699 212.
No fewer than 19 lots fetched R2 million –in comparison to 2016 where 13 yearlings topped the R2 000 000 barrier.
Wehann Smith’s Kuda Holdings topped the buyers list, purchasing 11 lots for a gross total of R9.95 million. Kuda led the way, ahead of David Redvers, who bought three yearlings for R8.6 million, and MV Magnier.
Former champion sire, and eight times champion sire of 2yos, Captain Al headed the sires log with his 18 lots to sell grossing R28.475 million. Dynasty was next best, with his 11 lots to sell fetching R18.1 million. Legendary racehorse Frankel, whose first crop include six individual stakes winners, ended up in sixth place on the list, with his four lots fetching R8.4 million –and averaging R2.1 million.
A full list of prices and results can be found at www.capethoroughbredsales.com