A powerful buying bench coupled with an outstanding catalogue saw the aggregate of the National Sale rise from R154.05 million in 2023 to a staggering R200.19 million this year.

Remarkably, the average price jumped from R442 672 to R581 948, highlighting the demand for top-class thoroughbreds in South Africa currently.

The median price also rose notably, rising from R300 000 to R400 000, while the R6 000 000 spent on the top lot at the 2024 National Sale is almost double that of the R3 200 000 spent on the top lot purchased in 2023.

The sale also saw a remarkable 93% clearance rate on day one, a tribute to the strength of the buying market and to the quality of thoroughbred offered by vendors across the board.

Three lots made R5 000 000 or more at the National Sale in 2024, and no fewer than 14 yearlings fetched R2 000 000 or more.

Understandably, progeny of both South Africa’s reigning champion sire Gimmethegreenlight and boom sire Vercingetorix proved hugely popular at the National Sale this year.

Gimmethegreenlight supplied the sale’s R6 000 000 sales topper, while Vercingetorix ended the two day auction as Leading Sire by Aggregate.

Vercingetorix had 34 lots gross R39.475 million in stakes, with Vercingetorix yearlings averaging a very healthy R1 161 029 at the National Sale this year.

Wilgerbosdrift sold the top lot at the 2024 National Sale, with Gimmethegreenlight colt Man Of His Word (Lot 275) knocked down to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for R6 000 000.

The blue blooded sales topper is out of the Redoute’s Choice sired Honorine, whose five wins included a score in the G2 Camellia Stakes.

Already the dam of two winners, Honorine hails from an outstanding family with her relatives including, among others, such French classic winners as Darjina and Almanzor.

Vercingetorix filly Cherry Bakewell (Lot 88), a three-parts sister to former Horse Of The Year Summer Pudding, was the top priced filly sold at the sale, with the Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd consigned filly knocked down to Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe for R3 600 000. Not only is Cherry Bakewell very closely related to champion Summer Pudding, but her G3 Jacaranda Handicap winning dam Cherry On The Cake is a half-sister to Equus Champion Cherry On The Top –like Summer Pudding a Triple Tiara winner.

Wilgerbosdrift’s five time G1 winning young sire Hawwaam made a big impression with his first National Sale yearlings in 2024. Hawwaam, whose Vercingetorix three-parts brother was knocked down to Sabine Plattner for R2 800 000 at the sale, had members of his first crop make up to R5 000 000.

The top priced Hawwaam, the Wilgerbosdrift consigned Sparkling Rose (Lot 129) was knocked down to the Hollywood Syndicate.

Bloodstock South Africa would like to thank all the buyers and vendors who helped make the 2024 National Sale such a memorable event, and wishes buyers all the best with their purchases going forward.

A full list of prices and statistics for the National Yearling Sale can be viewed online at www.bsa.co.za