The Emperors National Yearling Sale of 2010 is a most important auction for Rosedene Stud’s Graeme Koster, tipped in many quarters as a breeder who will lead the revival of the Karoo to the fashionable breeding region it used to be. If a return of the Karoo to its former heights is indeed a realisable objective, Rosedene’s resident stallion Grey’s Inn is the one most likely to make it happen.

The well-performed bay represents the great stallion of stallions Zabeel, one of the most dominant influences of his time. He’s had an authoritative impact in Australasia for many years and Grey’s Inn’s connections are hoping he can enjoy similar success on our side of the Indian Ocean. Rosedene Stud is a 400 hectare farm with excellent soil and water and extreme temperatures and, Graeme believes it is the perfect environment to raise thoroughbreds along old-fashioned lines. They grow up tough, but spend most of their early days running around freely which is good for natural progression and growth and conducive to strong bone formation and a greater degree of soundness once they’re in training. Graeme says: ``We’ve given Grey’s Inn several well-performed and well-related mares so he can have every chance of making the grade. The individuals in his first crop are as beautiful as we expected them to be. He’s produced horses with a classic look. They are well put together and correct, quality horses with beautiful eyes and a good measure of athleticism.

Of Rosedene’s five yearlings, Graeme feels best about Pose Comitatuts (Lot 542), who will step into the ring midway through Day Three of the sale, Monday 26 April. He’s the third produce of the Badger Land mare Sweet Blackberry, from a family of good sprinter-milers. Lot 46, a filly as yet unnamed, is a daughter of Al Mufti filly Bellaritza. She’s a half-sister to capable sprinter Bella Jet and hails from the family Bellineaux and Ace Admiral. Camden Borough (Lot 314) is another worth noting. She’s a half-sister to Gold Cup winner Thundering Star and from a stout and potent extended family of Graded-winning stayers including Flying Duel, Olympic Duel and Castleton. Varsfontein Stud’s Carl de Vos and his wife Amanda are always on hand to welcome buyers and visitors to their sales office and leisure deck. If you leave without sampling some of the Cape’s best wine, Carl will be offended! While you’re there, have a look at Lot 23, Fort Nelson , a son of Fort Wood and Antonia’s Love. She’s a half-sister to Successful Bidder and Trust Antonia and has already produced six-time winner Time and Love from only three previous foals. “He’s neatly put together and covers ground,” Carl says. Jet Master’s visit to former leading stakes filly Night Diva produced Master Cooper (Lot 391), a colt Carl describes as “big, but with the right proportions.”

Former November Handicap winner Duchess’s Daba was sent to Western Winter and the result was a colt named Royal Duke, who is tall and stands over ground like his dam. VAR’s daughter Langoustier (Lot 561, from Ticketyboo), is a nice filly who looks like she’ll have pace, opines Carl. Gavin Schafer of Mauritzfontein Stud will be selling four of his own yearlings and three on behalf of the partnership of Nigel Page and David Knight. “I have a superb crop this year,” says Gavin, who points to Lot 211, Pylon, as one not to miss when you’re doing your rounds. “He absolutely tops, a strong and well-balanced son of Fort Wood and Golden Cell.” Magic Smoke (Lot 234), is Gavin’s narrow pick among his fillies. She’s by Fort Wood from High Places, a Western Winter mare who threw this offspring “big and scopy”. “Our Grey’s Inn filly from Chica (Lot 76) is also well worth looking at. She’s a natural athlete and will make any buyer proud,” he comments.

Jenny and Charles Fischer of Eagle Stud (Alicedale) speak fondly of a Daylami filly born with her sire’s colour and aptly named Greylami (Lot 243). “She’s nicely grown and looks smart,’’ says Jenny. His Tibbs (Lot 160) comes from the family of Graded winners Supper Club and Festive Occasion. “He’s a nice colt, racy and not too big,” says Jenny. Eagle Stud’s Parade Leader filly Complete Parade (Lot 88) is on the small side, but makes up for it by being physically correct. Lastly there is Wild Commander (Lot 450), a colt by Windrush from Rank, herself an own sister to former Grade 1 winner Alpha Omega. “This one’s looks matches his pedigree,” Jenny enthuses.

Piet and Hans Dempers of Dempers Stud run their breeding operation with 12 well bred mares on their Hartswater Farm and they’re no strangers to the National Sale. They’re offering Red Victory (454), a colt by Victory Moon whose dam is a half-sister to stayer Tailormade. Red Victory’s pedigree is all class down to his fourth dam, Exclusive Dancer, the dam of successful international sire General Assembly. “We buy and race the best mares we can get and take them to the best stallions we can find, comments Hans. Their other entry is Dempsey Star (353), by Black Minnaloushe from Grade 3 Magnolia Handicap winner, Might Doll.