Blood somehow always rules the land!
Despite all the ups and downs of a crisis year on all fronts, some of the big horses still banked the big money and it was, not unexpectedly, the outstanding Hawwaam’s full-brother Celestial City who topped the charts at R7 million on the opening day of the Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale at Germiston on Friday.
Celestial City – hammer fell at R7 million (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Summerhill’s new owner Henning Pretorius, whose Capital Stud is a leader in the production of sport horses on the African continent, made an early statement of his intentions to build on the Goss legacy and carve his own niche in the sport of kings when signing the chit on behalf of Summerhill Equestrian.
His handsome colt (#185) is a son of two champions, being by Silvano (Lomitas) out of Jet Master star Halfway To Heaven. He is a half-brother to Gr1 stars Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat.
In a remarkable year, where our national premier platform of yearlings is effectively a 2yo sale on Saturday, things are clearly tough with cash about as rare as a brandy and coke. But the bloodbath anticipated in many quarters didn’t materialise, with the top end, as usual holding up well – and many bargain hunters finding their dream at reasonable prices.
Top-seller Celestial City was one of thirteen Silvano’s offered, of which eight were sold for a total of R15 635 000, an average of R1 954 375.
Next best on the Day 1 sire charts was Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) who had 23 on the sale, of which 14 were sold for a total of R3 860 000, at an average of R275 714.
Of the 230 lots on offer of the opening day, 121 were sold, 72 were withdrawn and 37 were not sold.
The aggregate was R37 250 000, the average reflecting R307 851 and the median R150 000.
Comparisons year on year may be a little subjective and misplaced, with the average only dropping 3,5% on 2019, but realistically speaking the strength centred on a handful of standouts.
Wilgerbosdrift was the most successful vendor on the day with eight lots selling for a total of R13 225 000, with an average of R1 653 125, followed by Mauritzfontein on an aggregate of R3 460 000 (average R266 155), and Avontuur grossing R3 230 000, for an average of R538 333.
Day 2 starts on Saturday at 11h30 with lots 231-479 offered.
