Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud has built an enviable record at the KZN Yearling Sale, with graduates from the farm continuing to advertise the quality of its breeding programme.

A standout example came in 2024 when Quickstepgal was purchased for R450,000. That investment has since proved exceptional value, with the filly capturing the G1 Cape Fillies Guineas this season and boosting her earnings beyond R1.45 million.

David Hepburn-Brown returns to this year’s KZN Yearling Sale with another select offering packed with pedigree appeal. Scheduled just days before the 2026 G1 Durban July, the sale is expected to draw strong interest, and Hemel ‘N Aarde’s draft features progeny by sought-after stallions including Vercingetorix, What A Winter, Fire Away, Erik The Red and Malmoos.

Among the standout offerings is Victory Blaze (Lot 140), a daughter of Fire Away and a half-sister to four winners, headed by G1 heroine Quickstepgal. Her dam Victoriana is a G3-placed half-sister to champion Hammie’s Hooker and multiple graded stakes winner Gem King, giving the filly an outstanding page.

Champion sire Vercingetorix is represented by Luca’s Limelight (Lot 33), a colt out of the three-time winning Intothelimelight. Already the dam of two winners, Intothelimelight traces directly to the family of influential shuttle stallion Fastnet Rock, adding further depth to the pedigree.

What A Winter, a perennial source of top-class performers, has two daughters in the draft. Fiery Fiona (Lot 27) is out of G3 Cape Fillies Nursery winner Hot Affair, while Lot 126 is a filly from the family of accomplished sprinters Bohica and Bartholdi, bred on the same successful What A Winter cross.

Buyers can inspect the Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud draft in Blocks D and E at Suncoast Casino, Durban.

Click on the image to access the pedigree page. 

LOT 27

LOT 33

LOT 51

LOT 72

LOT 114

LOT 119

LOT 126

LOT 140