TRAINER Geoff Woodruff went to R4-million to secure a Highlands Farm-bred Jet Master colt from the Al Mufti mare Divine Nymph during the Sunday session of the 2010 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale at the TBA Sales Complex, Gosforth Park. This figure smashed the record price of R3,6 million paid by Mike Azzie for a colt by Singspiel during Friday’s opening session. A delighted Woodruff said: ``I bought Devine Jet for an overseas buyer who fell in love with the horse and the pedigree and was prepared to pay. I know the family well having trained Devine Jet’s dam as well as his half-sister Divine and his dam’s half-sister Gushing.

Four more yearlings by Jet Master fetched R1.4 million or more, including Ascot Stud’s Auto Pilot, bought by Charles Laird for R1,9 million. Enchanting Cathy, the VAR filly described as “Miss World” by Mike Sharkey of Highlands, also fetched R1,9 million with the bid knocked down to Mike Bass Racing. Michael Roberts paid R1,6 million for Legend Dancer, a colt by Black Minnaloushe consigned by Highlands on behalf of an agent.

The Vaughan Marshall and Allan Bloodlines team purchased a total of 12 yearlings at a cost of R3.57 million for their regular clients Lindsay Ralphs & Partners. David Allan of Allan Bloodlines commented "The quality of yearlings here has made up for the enormous frustration of finding a way of getting here in the travel mess in Europe, then catching up but Vaughan as ever has done a huge amount of work and we hope to keep up the near 80% winning record for our clients".

Former Vodacom July winner and Sheema Classic runner up Greys Inn (USA) was represented with his first crop of yearlings. Graeme Koster, who stands Greys Inn, was well pleased with the market’s response to the stallions first crop, saying “Greys Inn has been well received in the market, people like him and his yearlings have sold well.”

BloodStock South Africa’s Marketing Manager, Eamonn Cullen, was thrilled with the start to South Africa’s biggest yearling sale, stating “To break the record price on the first day and break it again in the second session is an amazing feat and would be the envy of any sales company in the world. South Africa is such an exciting place to have a horse in training and the standard of trainers, jockeys and the facilities are world class. South African breeders should be very proud of the product that they produce. There has been a great buzz around the sales ring today and we look forward to the remaining lots.”

The two-day aggregate reached R100,265 million at an average price of R336 460, both figures marginally up on last year’s corresponding totals. The third and last session is taking place on Monday 26 April starting at 11:00.