Coolmore Equals Record In Cape Town

CAPE TOWN, South Africa–Coolmore equaled its own record early during the opening session of the Cape Premier Yearling Sale on Saturday evening when reaching R6-million ($441,450/£356,600/€441,257) for lot 32, a son of last season's champion South African sire Trippi.

Twelve months ago, the Irish empire had worked in partnership with Mayfair Speculators when securing a Drakenstein Stud-consigned son of Silvano (Ger) for what was the highest price paid for a yearling at auction in the country. Silver Coin (SAf) has yet to race for Joey Ramsden.

Whether Coolmore choose to keep lot 32's plain and simple name of 'Charles' remains to be seen. What they have on their hands is an imposing colt who was the talk of the Cape Town International Convention Centre before the evening had begun.

Also consigned by Drakenstein, the Rupert family's lavish operation out in wine country near Stellenbosch, he is the first foal of multiple group winner Demanding Lady (SAf) (Dynasty {SAf}).

“He's a nice horse by a good stallion and comes from a very good nursery,” said Coolmore's MV Magnier. “He was bought in a partnership. We will talk to the lads and make a plan.”

Coolmore's team were one of manifold international buyers in the room. Cape Thoroughbred Sales's brainchild is not like an average auction in most eminent racing countries and is close to the waterfront in the middle of the vibrant coastal city.

“They've put in a really big effort here, and it's a fantastic place to come,” Magnier added.

Magnier also signed for a daughter of Captain Al (SAf) (lot 40) for R1.9-million ($139,731/£112,868/€130,563).

At the end of the first of two days' trade, the average was down 5% at R623,230 ($45,834/£37,022/€42,827) from last year's corresponding session, and the median was down 29% at R300,000 ($22,062/£17,821/€20,615).

Yearlings from a variety of domestic and imported pedigrees were walked outside underneath a flyover before entering the stage above tables at the sit-down, evening event attended by the likes of Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, Teo Ah Khing of the China Horse Club, Shadwell's Angus Gold, Peter and Ross Doyle, British trainers Richard Hannon and William Haggas and even Lester Piggott.

After the moderate showing of the first Frankel 2-year-old to race in the country, Miss Frankel (SAf), who was seventh as the very short-priced favourite at Kenilworth earlier in the afternoon, there was an inauspicious start by the quartet of the champion's offspring at the sale.

Nomadic auctioneer John O'Kelly had to do his best with lot 27, out of Daffodil (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who was picked up by Johannesburg trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren for a mere R1- million ($73,600/£59,450/€68,717).

“She was bought for an owner, Laurence Wernars,” said the trainer. “She was a bit small, I'd have liked a bit more size, but she's got a very good walk and good clean legs. We've bought her for the blood.”

Lot 64, the only Frankel colt at the sale and out of Fly To The Moon (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), failed to make many waves either. He was knocked down to Bernard Kantor, the boss of banking form Investec and a significant owner-breeder, for R900,000 ($66,200/£53,500/€61,845).

However, just before the end of the session, lot 114 saved the day in excellent fashion. The bay filly out of Little Fastnet (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) reached R4-million ($296,000/£237,700/

€274,869) for the American agent Justin Casse.

“I thought she was the nicest of the four Frankels and thought she would reach R4-million,” he said. “She'll stay down here to be trained by Alec Laird and has been bought by a long-standing client but some members of the Tawny Syndicate will be involved.”

Tawny Syndicate syndicates haul of three also included a R150,000 daughter of Pierro (Aus) and a R375,000 filly by Twice Over (GB). Casse also signed for lot 50, a Trippi filly from Highlands Farm Stud for R2-million ($147,085/£118,809/

€137,434)

A temporary grandstand along the side of the ring was also well populated at the beginning of the sale and spectators did not have to wait long to see some theatre.

Lot 9 blew away those to have stepped in before her, eventually being bought by Lammerskraal Stud for R3.6-million ($264,875/£214,000/€247,382).

Already named The Vapors, she is a daughter of leading South African sire Var and Captain's Lover (SAf) (Captain Al {SAf}), who was a group-class miler in three countries.

Lammerskraal, at Ceres in the Western Cape, is owned by Pieter and Jolanda Graaff and stands American-bred stallions Go Deputy and Visionaire.

Pieter Graaf revealed this filly was his pick of the entire catalogue, but deferred further explanation to his stud manager Sally Jourdan. “She's a lovely filly with a lot of scope,” said Jourdan. “We were keen to get her and hopefully she'll make a broodmare one day. It will have to be discussed who trains her.”

Second top-lot for the majority of the evening was the Drakenstein offering of a Captain Al (SAf) colt out of Ebony Flyer (SAf) (lot 41). Already named Captain Of Tortuga, he was picked up with a late bid of R4.5-million ($331,100/£267,450/

€309,228) from the back of the room.

“He was bought for an international client, and Team Valor will also take a share in him,” Bennie Marais of Klipdrif Stud said. “He's a lovely colt with a lot of substance.”

It was a first visit to the sale by Teo Ah Khing of the increasingly influential China Horse Club, and his bloodstock agent Michael Wallace. They were responsible for one of the most significant battles of the evening for another of the progeny of the popular Captain Al.

Lot 79, the second foal of the prolific race mare Happy Archer (Aus) (Dubawi {Ire}), was eventually knocked down to them for R3,750,000 ($277,500/£221,250/257,690). They outbid British bloodstock agent Amanda Skiffington on behalf of Fiona Carmichael and husband Ian Jennings.

The pair have had success in Britain and Ireland with a number of horses including Toronado (Ire) and Ivawood (Ire) and lately the Hugo Palmer-trained Classic prospect Escobar (Ire), but were thwarted on several occasions in the ring here.