Even though the headlines focus on a top class Var individual, the overall sale of what was South Africa's premier environment to sell horses, disappointed yet again declining for a second year in a row in terms of average. 

The R5 million sale topper a filly named Goddess Var, is the most expensive yearling ever sold at BSA auction, surpassing the R4.75 million paid for Savannah Cat in 2015 and she was knocked down to Shadwell South Africa.

Consigned by Varsfontein Stud, Var Goddess was produced by the winning Captain Al mare Fidelity, a three parts sister to G3 East Cape Derby winner Captain Splendid and a half-sister to G2 winning sire Master Of My Fate and the four time stakes winner Justthewayyouare. Her second dam is Equus Champion Promisefrommyheart, whose six career wins included the G1 Triple Tiara 1600 and G1 SA Fillies Guineas.

Remarkably, the sales topper of the 2017 National Sale was exactly double the price of the 2016 top priced lot! While the aggregate of the 2017 National Sale rose from R106 885 000 to R11 770 000 (a rise of nearly 5%), both the average price and median dropped. The average fell from R320 015 to R304 550 (or 5%), while the median dropped from R200 000 to R180 000.

The drop in average followed a significant drop from what was by all accounts a disappointing 2016 sale. It highlights the tough challenges faced by the new BSA team in trying times in breeding. A lack of support from international buyers, continued lack of transformation in the breeding industry and a dwindling buying bench will only worsen as the year pass, if not arrested. Breeding in SA needs a rethink and changes need to be made. This should serve as a wake up call for this industry that has been in decline for many years now.