Leadership of the TBA and nunerous changes at the company will take on sharp focus as the sales arm of the TBA takes a good look at itself after a terrible National Sale. One of the only sales to dip this year world wide, South Africa's once leading sale is now facing competitor and internal battles in its aim for the top. 

The TBA press release didn't hide their shock at the results either. 

"A lack of a strong presence in the upper end of the market saw both aggregate and average fall at the 2016 National Yearling Sale, which came to an end at Gemiston on Friday evening. The three day sale, South Africa's oldest and most prestigious thoroughbred auction, closed with the aggregate dropping by a massive 16 percent. The aggregate fell by over R20 000 000, dropping from R127 827 500 to R107 010 000 in 2016. Averages also dropped markedly, from R358 060 in 2015 to R325 258 this year, while the median fell from R220 000 to R200 000, a drop of just over nine percent. Another noticeable feature of the National Sale was the number of lots not sold from 16 failing to make their reserve in 2015, no fewer than 65 of the 424 yearlings to go through the ring failed to sell this year. Last year's sale was topped by a Fort Wood filly who fetched R4 750 000. A sign of the tough economic climate was visible when looking at the price of the 2016 sale topper. This was a Trippi filly, consigned by Wilgerbosdrift, who was knocked down to Form Bloodstock for R2 5000 000 more than R2 000 000 less than the previous year's top lot. The third and final day of the National Sale saw a Dynasty colt, out of G2 Fillies Championship winner Townsend, top the billing. The colt, catalogued as lo t 389 was knocked down to well known bloodstock agent Jehan Malherbe, of Form Bloodstock, for R2 200 000. Consigned by the sale's leading vendors, Varsfontein Stud, his dam is a half sister to former G1 Champions Challenge winner Regal Ransom There was also overseas presence felt at the National Sale this year albeit in small quantity than previous years. Chinese investor, Mr H Guo, trading as BIT Thoroughbreds South Africa, bought seven lots including a beautifully bred daughter of Trippi for R450 000 (Lot 427), from Wilgerbosdrift Stud to add to his growing broodmare collection. Guo, who is the majority shareholder of the new Giant's Causeway stallion Eightfold Path (USA), standing at Highdown Stud in KZN, is creating a bloodstock platform to supply markets particularly in Asia and believes the South African thoroughbred industry offers exceptional value. Form Bloodstock were by far and away the leading buyers at the sale, with Malherbe purchasing 26 yearlings for a gross total of R19 195 000. Next top buyer was John Freeman, whose 14 lots bought grossed R7 965 000. The Kalmansons' Varsfontein Stud enjoyed a superb sale, with all 18 of their yearlings selling for a gross of R11 965 000, and averaging R664 722. Lomita's champion son Silvano was leading sire of the sale, with his 16 yearlings to sell fetching R13 735 000, with his top lot being a colt out of Jodie which fetched R2 300 000. Silvano averaged an impressive R858 437 more than double the sale's overall average price. Kevin Woolward, CEO of the TBA, admitted it had been a tough sale, with only a solid middle market providing much comfort. "It was a very tough sale. With both the aggregate and average dropping markedly, the only consolation was the middle market, which reflected a wide array of different buyers."  "