The 2018 CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale yielded an overall aggregate of R110,95-million after the completion of Day Two at CTICC in Cape Town. The average price was R506,621 and the median came to R300,000.

While the turnover was markedly down on previous Premier Sales, the diversity of the buyers’ bench was impressive, featuring a host of newcomers. Owners and bloodstock consultants from the US, UK, Hong Kong, Ireland, Argentina, Australia and elsewhere came to support the sale and this was undoubtedly the most encouraging aspect to take forward.
Wehann Smith, CEO of CTS, commented: “We expected a blow to this sale considering the events of the last six weeks in which we lost our biggest buyer, Mayfair Speculators and of course their partners who are still in the process of dissolving existing partnerships and agreements and will be back to support future sales.”

There were critics who expected the sale to collapse, but there was an excellent general turnout over the weekend and Smith noted: “Our sale stood up very well despite the negatives and we can say with pride that we can look to the future positively. The Hong Kong Jockey Club, for example, bought from us for the first time, they were the third biggest buyer spending over R6-million.”

Team Valor’s Barry Irwin made a welcome return too, buying seven lots for R3,2-million, while Angus Gold of Shadwell invested R3,4-million buying three lots.

Smith concluded: “There was a narrower gap between the aggregate and the median which shows that there was a strengthening of the middle market. Most of all though, we have made great strides in internationalising the Premier Sale and we have a strong new foundation to build on. Our sincere thanks go to all the breeders and vendors who supported us, we are humbled and look forward to serving them in future.”
Frankel, the global sensation, was again responsible for the highest bid on Day Two. His unnamed daughter from Wandering (Fastnet Rock), was knocked down for R3-million to former trainer Patrick Shaw on behalf of a client.

John Freeman was the biggest buyer overall, spending R14,1-million on 11 purchases.

The biggest vendor was Klawervlei Stud, who received R42,225-millin for 64 lots sold.

Captain Al (R22,775-million) top the sires list ahead of Silvano and Dynasty.