The 2017 Cape Premier Sale ended with an across the board increase in figures. With international buyers from 14 countries in attendance, it came as no surprise that the 2016 yearling record was matched when Coolmore paid R6 million for an outstanding Trippi colt.

Lot 32 ring (Liesl King)

The aggregate showed a healthy increase of 14% from R135 750 000 to R155 225 000. This was mainly due to the strength of the international buying bench, with 18 yearlings selling for R2 million or more. At the top end of the market three colts sold for R4,5 million, with all three being snapped up by international buyers, while only Lot 220, a Dynasty colt, went the way of a local buyer for R5,75 million. The top priced filly was Lot 114, an unnamed Frankel filly that was bought by American bloodstock agent Justin Casse for R4 million.

The average of R699,212 showed an increase of 17%, while the median only showed a marginal increase of 3%, from R375,000 to R387,500. The top vendor was Klawervlei Stud with 23 lots selling for an aggregate of R19,55 million, while Kuda Holdings topped the buyers list with 11 lots totalling R9,95 million. The sires’ list was dominated by Captain Al with 9 lots selling for R13,7 million.

Day One of the sale had barely begun when MV Magnier of Coolmore signed for Lot 32, a Trippi colt out of the Dynasty mare Demanding Lady, consigned by Drakenstein Stud. Magnier confirmed that the colt was their top pick of the sale. “He is a very nice horse from a stud that produces top quality horses. In our view he was the best colt on the sale.”

Gaynor Rupert, owner of Drakenstein Stud was absolutely delighted by the price achieved. “ You always hope for a good price, but I never expected to get R6 million for him. He was many people’s favourite and hence I did not put a reserve on him. I loved him and hope that one day he will follow in his father’s footsteps and become a stallion.”

Day two saw a number of high priced lots going through the ring, but it was the arrival of Lot 220, a superb colt by Dynasty consigned by Lammerskraal Stud, that the buyers had all been waiting for. A spirited bidding war ensued and for a while it seemed as if a new yearling record would be set, but with the bidding stalled at R5,75 million, the hammer finally fell to Kuda Holdings. Kuda’s Wehann Smith confirmed that a consortium of clients purchased the colt.

By Liesl King