Champion sire, Jet Master, has again proved he’s the “Blue Chip” in the stallion ranks with an excellent result in a difficult 2011 Yearling Sales market.
Top priced yearling R3.2million for Jet Master filly x Jalberry
At the conclusion of the Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale in Germiston on Sunday night, the average price was down to R244301 – a 25% decline on the 2010 average of R324557. The aggregate for the sale was R115,3 million.
However, those breeders who put their faith in Jet Master, who won 17 races in an illustrious career, will be toasting the former champion. His 35 yearlings averaged R609286 compared to R650000 last year, but in this market it was a notable performance.
Two of Jet Master’s progeny made R3 million or more – his daughter, Heart’s Content, was knocked down to Turffontein trainer, Ormond Ferraris, for R3,2 million, and his son, Master Of My Fate, made R3 million to a bid from owner Tony Papageorgiou.
Jet Master’s name is now getting worldwide recognition as J J The Jet Plane won in Dubai on World Cup night, while River Jetez arrived in Hong Kong last Friday and will contest the Audemars Piquet QE11 Cup there on May 1.
To his credit, Thoroughbred Breeders Association CEO, Jan Naude, yesterday acknowledged it had been a difficult sale. “These prices are a realistic reflection of the economy. There was plenty of money for the top horses, but the middle market struggled.”
One breeder with a smile from ear to ear was Varsfontein Stud’s, Carl de Vos. The Paarl-based stud enjoyed their best sale to date ending up leading vendors by aggregate. Their 17 lots made R7,055 million and averaged R415000.
De Vos confessed he was hopeful that the Jet Master colt out of their champion mare, Promisefrommyheart, “might beat last year’s top of R4 million” but said they were happy with the final figure of R3 million.
Top price colt R3million for Jet Master x Promisefrommyheart
Acting as agents, Varsfontein were also the leading breeders by average with seven yearlings sold for an average price of R706429.
The number of yearlings who made a million or more declined from 22 in 2010 to 16 this year, but it backed up Naude’s view that there was money for the lots with fashionable pedigrees.
Form Bloodstock have been prolific buyers over the years at this sale and their purchase of 20 yearlings for an aggregate of R10,2 million put them on top of the buyer’s list.
