A colt by Varsfontein Stud’s prominent sire Gimmethegreenlight proved the star attraction at the first day of trading of the 2019 KZN Yearling Sale, which got underway at the Sibaya Casino on Thursday.
Consigned by the Nadeson Park Stud, Sugarcoatedgreen (Lot 49) was knocked down to prominent owner Nick Jonsson for R550 000 to top Thursday’s session.
The colt was produced by the winning Fort Wood mare Bluebell Glade, a daughter of Equus Champion and G1 Garden Province Stakes winner Bold Ellinore.
Bluebell Glade is thus a half-sister to Gardenia Handicap winner Ha Lucy, and Bold Ellinore’s third dam is G1 SA Fillies Guineas winner Eileen Alanna.
Gimmethegreenlight was also responsible for the top filly sold at Thursday’s session, with his daughter Many A Moon (Lot 8) who was sold to Eligius Racing for R250 000.
Thursday’s session saw the sale’s overall aggregate reach R10.2 million, with the average up by 10% on last year.
Pleasingly, the median rose to R60 000 from R50 000 in 2018, and there is hope there will be even greater improvement after Friday’s session.
Bloodstock South Africa’s Gary Grant was happy with Thursday’s results, saying, “Given the tough economic context this sale took place in, the improvement in the sales results were highly encouraging, and I am optimistic that we can see further improvement tomorrow. The overall higher quality of horse offered at this sale has resulted in a higher market level attendance.”
The second and final day of the KZN Yearling Sale is due to commence on Friday at 12:00 noon and a full price list will be available at www.bsa.co.za shortly after the sale’s conclusion.
-www.bsa.co.za
Images: Candiese Marnewick
