AUCTIONEER Andrew Miller succinctly summed up the somewhat unexpected record averages recorded at the 2010 Emperors Palace National Yearling saying: “Seven, eight years ago the good yearling crops stood out among the average ones. Now, however, one average crop will stand out among the exceptionally good quality crops produced by South African breeders.” Local and international buyers, including most of the leading trainers, several high-profile bloodstock agents , trainers and a host of visitors to the TBA Complex heaped praise on South Africa’s breeders as if speaking with one voice. “Our horsemen have undoubtedly raised the bar with arguably the best consignment of yearlings ever sold in this country.”

Already widely acknowledged as horsemen of rare knowledge and skill, the quality and results seen at this year’s renewal of the National Sale will ring far and wide. Over the three days of the Sale Miller and colleagues Steve Davis and Mike Killassy knocked down yearlings to the combined value of R160 million, a 4.5% improvement on last year’s aggregate. The average price of R326 378 was up 5.5% on last year’s R309 313.

BloodStock SA’s CEO, Jan Naude, described the turnover as “quite extraordinary considering the recessionary times”. He added: “The depth of quality among the yearlings reflected our breeders’ commitment to excellence. To have an existing top price bettered twice during a three-day period says it all. BSA are proud to have conducted this Sale and we know we can look forward to even better things to come!”

Trainer Mike Azzie was proud as punch when he secured Lot 10, an exquisite colt by Singspiel named Potala Palace, for a record R3,6 million during the opening night. Trainer Geoff Woodruff, however, stunned sales goers by bidding well over that mark to R4 million for Jet Master colt Devine’s Jet on Sunday.

Michael Roberts, one buyer quite vociferous in his praise for the quality of horseflesh presented at the sale, found the gem he was looking for in Lot 257 Legend Dancer, a Black Minnaloushe colt from the mare Isadora Duncan. He enthused: “This is the horse I wanted and I am terribly excited to have got him. He’s a beautifully balanced individual with presence and I decided to close my eyes and go up to R2 million for him. As it happened I secured the bid at R1,6 million against the powerful Charles Laird camp. Charles came to congratulate me. Last Legend will spend some time at Jane Trotter’s spelling facility before coming into training with me.”

The Sale again received tremendous support from a strong contingent of international buyers representing the UK, Ireland, Dubai, France, the USA, China, Hong Kong and even Russia. Shadwell South Africa, representing Sheikh Hamdan of Dubai, bought six lots including lot 237, Hollywood Chief, a Captain Al colt from a Fort Wood mare inbred 2x3 to Ascot’s long-serving sire of champions, Al Mufti, the magnificent son of Roberto initially owned by the Sheikh himself.

“This one’s a big, strapping colt who really looks the part,” said De Kock. Shadwell topped the list of buyers by average, securing their six lots at an average of R940 000 apiece. David Allan Of Allan Bloodlines and Vaughan Marshall purchased 12 yearlings at a cost of 3.57 million and Allan commented: “The quality of bloodstock at this sale made up for the enormous frustration of finding a way of getting here with the travelling mess in Europe. But Vaughan, as ever, has done a huge amount of work and we hope to keep up the near 80% winning record of our clients, Lindsay Ralphs and partners."

Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift sold Cragwood (Lot 575) for R2,2 million, the highest price during the final session. Wilgerbosdrift enjoyed excellent results and with R431 786 was the second leading vendor by aggregate to Highlands Stud, who sold both the first and the second record-breakers and averaged R551 071 per lot sold.

Form Bloodstock was the biggest buyer by aggregate, signing for 22 lots totaling R11,4 million, just under R3 million more than John Freeman, whose total for 32 buys came to R8,69 million. Champion sire Jet Master stamped his authority on the sale, with 42 of his lots selling for an average R650 000 per lot and turning over R27,3 million.

Freshman sires Black Minnaloushe (35 lots, R338 571 average), Tiger Ridge (22 lots, R371 136 average) and Greys Inn (10 lots, R274 000 average), promised big things to come. The next BSA auction is the Cape Mare/Weanling Sale on 13 May, followed by the KZN Yearling Sale on 3 and 4 June.