Akin to a possible match between Mayweather and Pacquiao , the two foremost boxers on the planet, the battle between Bloodstock SA and CTS has been looming for quite some time. Unlike the dream boxing match, this contest between two rival sales companies is taking place.

It erupted into a full blown contest when Mick Goss decided to swop sides from the TBA hosted Ready to Run Sale for the Cape Based relative new kid on the block, CTS.

Since then a war of words laid the foundation to a bitter battle that now sees both sales companies hosting similar events on the same day as each other. 

Susan Rowett, the Chairperson of the TBA commented, "With the withdrawal of the Summerhill draft and after liaising with vendors, the decision was taken to have our cocktail party on Friday and the sale on the Sunday - the full details are as detailed in our letter sent yesterday. We have kept our auctioneers fully updated with these plans. If anyone at CTS had had the professional integrity and courtesy to contact us they would also have been informed of these plans."

Emperors Palace have also switched sides according to Rowett by ending a lengthy agreement to sponsor the TBA Sales in favour of the CTS sales in Johannesburg.

"In a meeting last week with Emperors Palace, we were told that they would not be renewing their exclusive sponsorship contract with us after December 31st 2014 as they were entering into a relationship with CTS. It is a great disappointment to us that our relationship with Emperors Palace has ended in this sad way," said Rowett.

Phumelela is bound to be involved in the sales saga as some of the major shareholders in Phumelela are also directors of CTS.

"The Ready To Run Cup sales race run at Turffontein belongs to the TBA. The affixing of the Emperors Palace name to the race was part of our sponsorship agreement with Emperors Palace which ends December 31st, 2014. The Cup itself is kindly provided by the Racing Association. Patrick Davis of Phumelela and Larry Wainstein of Phumelela have confirmed to us their firm assurance that the race belongs to the TBA. This is important as both organizations have also stated their policy to oppose the proliferation of sales races. Our attorneys are engaged on this matter to protect our interests, " continued Rowett.

Stay tuned...