Cape Thoroughbred Sales, the new sponsors of the Cape Guineas, has launched their Cape Premier Yearling Sales catalogue.

Billed as the strongest yearling catalogue in the history of South African breeding, Book 1 is launched as a Select Sale of 350 prime lots which have been hand selected by an inspection team comprising South African veteran John Kramer and Tom Thornbury, Associate Director of Keeneland Association, the world's biggest auction house. Pedigree and final choices were made by a panel comprising John Freeman, Jehan Malherbe and Robin Bruss. Collectively the selectors total 190 years in the business.

Interestingly, the catalogue is very strong in terms of conformation. "We believe it is an exceptional crop" said John Kramer. "There were 106 of the 350 yearlings which ranked 9/10 or higher in terms of physical conformation, over 30%, which is an extraordinary number."

The Cape Premier Yearling Sale - Book 1 will offer these choice lots at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on the 26th & 27th of January, prior to the running of the J&B Met on 28th January. The sale was split into two Books as the company received 884 entries. Book 2's offerings scheduled for 3rd-5th March, 2011 will be launched in a separate catalogue in January.

The catalogue can now be viewed online at www.capethoroughbredsales.com

The highlight of the sale will undoubtedly be the 34 lots in the penultimate crop of 5 times champion sire Jet Master, as well as 41 by the triple champion sire of juveniles, Captain Al. there are 21 by champion sire Western Winter, 19 by the exceptional Silvano and 36 by the new internationally successful American import Trippi, who led the USA sire championship earlier this year. Internationally based champion sires or champion racehorses Bernardini, Duke Of Marmalade, Encosta De Lago, O'Reilly, Rock of Gibraltar, Teofilo, and Tapit are all represented as well as the first crop of yearlings by South Africa Group 1 winning stars Jay Peg, Horse Chestnut, Rebel King and Kildonan.