Despite negative predications and political anxieties, expectations were surpassed at the first day of the 2019 Emperors Palace National 2YO Sale, which took place at the TBA complex in Germiston on Thursday.
All of the aggregate, and average and median prices rose from last year, while the clearance rate reached an impressive 83% strike rate at the first day of trading.
Thursday’s aggregate of R17.16 million rose by R1.4 million from the aggregate achieved at the same stage last year, with handsome gains also achieved by the average and median prices.
The first day of the National 2YO Sale this year saw an average price of R102 410 achieved (an increase of 13%), while the median rose to R70 000 (an increase of 40% from the same time last year).
Thursday’s sale was topped by Silver Star Dust (Lot 89), a colt consigned by Klipdrif Stud, as agent. The sales topper, who was knocked down to Lynton Ryan for R800 000, is a colt by Maine Chance Farms’ outstanding sire Silvano, recently crowned South Africa’s Champion Sire for a fourth time. Closely related to the Silvano sired graded winners Silver Flyer and Sylvan On Fire, Silver Star Dust is bred on the same Silvano/Jet Master cross as last season’s G1 winners Hawwaam and Silvano’s Pride. The session topper was produced by the winning Jet Master mare Cosmic Jet, and he is a full-brother to Oaks Trial runner up Our Shining Star and a half-brother to Ibhayi Stakes/East Cape Guineas hero Gimme The Stars.
Bass Racing purchased the top priced filly at Thursday’s sale, in the form of Tenacity (Lot 38). The latter, who was consigned by Varsfontein Stud, was knocked down for R450 000, with the filly being a daughter of Varsfontein Stud’s rising sire star Master Of My Fate, and a half-sister to Listed Swallow Stakes winner All At Once.
Bloodstock South Africa’s Gary Grant was understandably delighted with the sales’ overall results, saying, “It was a very good sale considering the nerves and uncertainty beforehand, and yet again this market has shown its resilience. All the key indicators are up on last year, and we are hopeful this success continues through to Friday.”
A full list of prices for Thursday’s sale can be viewed online at www.bsa.co.za, with the second, and final, day of trading set to take place on Friday from 11:00 AM sharp.
Images: Candiese Marnewick
