History was made when a Var filly was knocked down for R5 million on Friday, the final day of the 2017 National Yearling Sale.

The filly, named Goddess Var, is the most expensive yearling ever sold at BSA auction, surpassing the R4.75 million paid for Savannah Cat in 2015 and she was knocked down to Shadwell South Africa. Consigned by Varsfontein Stud she will be trained by Joey Ramsden.
The sale proved favourable for buyers, with many picking up notable bargains, but a lack of middle market was once again in evidence and reflected in the sales’ overall statistics.

While the aggregate of the 2017 National Sale rose from R106 885 000 to R11 770 000 (a rise of nearly 5%), both the average price and median dropped. The average fell from R320 015 to R304 550 (or 5%), while the median dropped from R200 000 to R180 000.

The number of horses failing to sell increased notably from 58 a year ago to 68 in 2017.

Jehan Malherbe of Form Bloodstock was by far and away the leading buyer his 29 yearlings purchased grossing a total of R20.245 million. Next on the list was Shadwell South Africa, whose five lots grossed R9.2 million and included Goddess Var.

Varsfontein Stud headed the vendors list, with 23 of their 27 lots offered grossing R15.495 million, averaging R673 696. Mauritzfontein, Wilgerbosdrift, Lammerskraal and Drakenstein Stud rounded off the top five vendors.

CEO Michael Holmes said, “In the face of difficult trading conditions, the sale held up well. We are pleased with the aggregate increase, and, while the median is down, the overall result was commendable given the current economic climate the clearance rate is higher than 2016 and we plan on improving it further over the coming years. The market remains very quality conscious and lacks depth, a fact which is reflected in the results.

– Bloodstock SA