Positive Feedback Ahead Of Cape Sale

CAPE TOWN, South Africa–The seventh renewal of the Cape Thoroughbred Sale, held in the International Convention Centre in Cape Town, commences Saturday as it seeks to build on a record year of returns in 2017. While keeping pace with last year will be no mean feat given the absence of one of the most significant supporters of the sale in recent years in Markus Jooste, some first time visitors to the two-day sale could help fill the void left by the Mayfair Speculators. Last year's sale recorded a near perfect clearance rate when 222 of the 223 offered lots changed hands. They did so for record receipts of R155,225,000 ($12,647,252/£9,194,396/€10,344,504) with the average also posting a sale best of R699,212 ($51,450/,41,550/€47,902), 16% above the previous year while the median also rose 3% to R387,500 ($28,500/,£23,050/€26,547).

CTS management have put a lot of effort into promoting the sale to a world audience and given the spectacular setting it makes their job of attracting buyers to the sale that bit easier. The source of 27 Group 1 winners since its inception is also a worthy statistic. Progress with the on-going issues of quarantine and the restrictions of international travel for South African thoroughbreds has been made and while a breakthrough could be imminent later this year it is that issue revolving around African Horse Sickness that is hampering the further development of not just the sale but also of the South African racing industry.

Despite these impediments the team at CTS, lead by CEO Wehann Smith are hopeful of building on the progress made in recent years.

“It's been a really good week so far,” said Smith. “There seems to be a good atmosphere and attendance appears up on previous years. Feedback from the inspections has been positive. The sale has gone from strength to strength in the last few years and hopefully we can build on the great results from last year. While that will be no easy task I don't believe it is impossible.”

Last year's sale topper, a son of Trippi named Charles (SAf) sold for a record equaling R6-million and there are a number of yearlings catalogued over the next two days with the pedigrees to achieve similar amounts. Klawervlei Stud are the most prolific vendor with 70 yearlings catalogued and one of their draft that could command a premium is lot 35, a colt by the stud's own late champion stallion Captain Al (SAf) and one of 14 yearlings catalogued that is a sibling to a Group 1 winner. It is a family that has come to prominence in both Europe and America courtesy of the yearling's half-sister Antonoe (First Defence). The Juddmonte filly, who earned a 'TDN Rising Star' when making a winning debut for Pascal Bary at Deauville in 2015, improved for the switch to American racing when landing the GI Just A Game S. at Belmont last summer for Chad Brown. Lot 135 from Klawervlei Stud sports the Holy Grail of breeding by being a half-sister to a multiple group 1 winner, out of a multiple group 1 winner with the dam being a half-sister to a Group 1 winner and champion stallion. The yearling is by G1 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Var out of Shadow Dancing (SAf) (Fort Wood) who is a half-sister to Captain Al. The mare has bred five winners headed by the top class runner Thunder Dance (SAf) (Jet Master {SAf}) who has also become a successful broodmare since retiring from racing.

Klawervlei Stud manager John Koster reported in excess of 1,100 viewings of their extensive draft by Thursday afternoon and another yearling he is looking forward to offering is lot 133. The grey colt, from the penultimate crop of Captain Al, is a full-brother to two top class performers in All Is Secret (SAf) and The Secret Is Out (SAf), both Group 1 winners in South Africa, while the exciting Snowdance (SAf) (Captain Al {SAf}) also features in the pedigree.

Klawervlei Stud offered four yearlings by Frankel (GB) last year, the most expensive one purchased by Justin Casse for R4,000,000 and the stud bring three by the sire to Cape Town this weekend. Possibly the pick of the trio is lot 94 out of Pale Moon Rising (Ire) (Kingmambo). The chestnut's dam has bred two winners from as many runners. A half-sister to last year's most expensive Frankel filly will be offered today as lot 59. Also one of the Klawervlei draft, the Silvano (Ger) filly is a granddaughter of the champion Irish 2-year-old filly Damson (Ire) (Entrepreneur {GB}) who has produced a high class runner in G2 Flying Childers S. winner and subsequent sire Requinto (Ire) (Dansili {GB}).

Gaynor Rupert's Drakenstein Stud offer a colt by Trippi as lot 201 and this yearling is the first produce out of the brilliant race-mare Beach Beauty (SAf) (Dynasty {SAf}). A winner of 17 races in all, Beach Beauty was champion older mare in South Africa on two occasions and her five group 1 wins included two runnings of both the G1 Garden Province S. and the G1 Paddock S. Drakenstein also offer lot 99, a colt by Captain Al who is out of Peace Bell (Kingmambo), a full-sister to MG1SW Campanologist. The mare has already bred a high class runner in One Fine Day (SAf) (Trippi). Drakenstein's second yearling in the ring, lot 23, should also find favour being a son of Dynasty (SAf) out of the dual Group 1 winner Happy Archer (Aus) (Dubawi {Ire}). The stud's lot 86, by the same stallion was also the subject of good reports from those on the ground.

Lot 102, another by Captain Al, who has 27 catalogued, is offered by Andreas Jacobs' Maine Chance Farm out of the great producer Platinum Princess (SAf) (Rakeen). The mare is already the dam of the dual South African champion Princess Victoria (SAf) (Victory Moon {SAf}) whose ten wins included four at the top level. The yearling, named Prince Of Persia (SAf), is also a full-brother to the group 2 winner Princess Royal (SAf). Jacobs is a busy man being custodian of three major farms in Maine Chance, Newsells Park Stud and Gestut Fahrhof and in addition to overseeing the selling of a 20-strong draft he also found time to be the generous co-host, along with Wayne Kieswetter of Highlands Stud, of a very enjoyable dinner in Granger Bay on Thursday evening.

With plenty of European pedigrees and indeed stallions featuring in the catalogue it is no surprise to see many making the trip from the northern hemisphere in search of some sun and some good value. Anthony Stroud, who was busy purchasing yearlings last autumn for Godolphin is a regular here and commented, “There are a lot of very good looking individuals with plenty of well-developed and well conformed yearlings that will ultimately make very good racehorses. I've come to this sale every year since it started, it's a very exciting sale and has gotten better each year.”

Another buyer who has significant thoroughbred interests in South Africa is Barry Irwin and the Team Valor boss is back at the sale this week after a few years absence. “I was a regular here but stopped coming a few years back. However I sensed a change in the wind if you like and decided to come back. Between mares, yearlings and horses in training I've about 50 horses here so I have a lot to catch up when I'm here.” Also good news for vendors is the presence of Mark Richards and his colleagues from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and with Saturday's opening session of 118 lots, including withdrawals, set to commence at 6.00 p.m. all the ingredients of a successful sale appear to be in situ.