Bloodstock South Africa National Yearling Sale Begins Today

By Liesl King

The three-day Bloodstock South African National Yearling Sale kicks off Wednesday, Apr. 22 at the Germiston Sales complex near Johannesburg, where 449 yearlings representing 52 stallions will come under the hammer. Fifty of the stallions represented are local sires, with High Chaparral (Ire) (lot 229) and Tapit (lot 207) being the only international sires with yearlings on offer. 

The 2013 champion stallion Silvano (Ger) (Lomitas{GB}) has 30 yearlings on offer and the talk horse of the sale so far has been lot 110, an outstanding Silvano colt out of Crown Office (Horse Chestnut {SAf}) consigned by Drakenstein Stud. Interestingly while Horse Chestnut resided at Drakenstein Stud until his recent death, Crown Office hails from his time spent in the USA and is a daughter of Great Verdict (Aus) (Christmas Tree {Aus}). That makes Crown Office a half-sister to 2003 Equus champion 3-year-old colt Grey's Inn (Zabeel {NZ}), who competed successfully abroad and at home for Mike De Kock. Despite having his first ever runner in the GI Kentucky Derby next weekend, De Kock is at the sale and the outstanding colt is sure to have caught his eye. 

Another Silvano yearling that has impeccable credentials is lot 274, a colt out of Minelli (Saf) (Elliodor{Fr}). The strong bay colt is a half-brother to three black-type horses, including Equus champion sprinter, the filly Val De Ra. Minelli has produced six winners from six runners and with three of them being black-type performers, this colt will certainly not be cheap. Named Palladium, the colt is consigned by Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm. 

While Silvano is mainly known for producing outstanding colts such as the globetrotting Vercingetorix (SAf), Bold Silvano (SAf) and Kings Gambit (SAf), as well as G1 J &B Met winner Martial Eagle (SAf) and G1 Vodacom Durban July winner Heavy Metal (SAf), he has also had his fair share of successful fillies such as G1SW winners Happy Valentine (SAf), currently racing abroad and Do You Remember. On offer as lot 179 is a chestnut filly out of Gypsy Queen (SAf) (Royal Chalice{SAf}), consigned by Rathmor Stud. Despite only racing once, Gypsy Queen, who hails from an illustrious South African and American female line, has produced the likes of GI Matriarch S. winner Gypsy's Warning (Saf) (Mogok) and multiple graded winner Surabi (SAf) (Wolfhound). 

Sire of the moment Dynasty (SAf) has fifteen yearlings in the sale and with his son Futura (SAf) winning the G1 Queen's Plate, G1 J & B Met double, while another son, Legislate (SAf), was crowned 2014 Horse of the Year, the buyers are unlikely to be picking them up cheaply. Ascot Stud consigns lot 41, a bay colt named Arabian Dynasty out of the imported mare Arabian Jazz (Aus) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). While Australian bred, Arabian Jazz is a daughter of South African champion 2-year-old and 3-year-old filly, Arabian Lass, who notched up ten victories including four Grade I races before being exported to Australia. Lot 41 is a magnificent bay colt and is sure to have catalogues waving. 

Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm also has a Dynasty on offer, with a colt out of G1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner, Sports Chestnut (SAf), catalogued as lot 407. From the female family of Horse Chestnut and with four of her five runners to date already winners, including Sports Coach (SAf), who finished a close second in the G1 Gold Medallion, this imposing colt is one of the standouts of the sale. Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm is the home of sires Var (SAf) and Oratorio (Ire) and while Oratorio's first crop will only be on offer in 2016, Var has 31 yearlings here at the National Sale. A standout must be lot 100, the cleverly named Paperback Writer, a Var colt out of the Elliodor (Fr) mare Classique Story (SAf). Classique Story, who ran second in the G1 SA Fillies Classic, has already produced the G1 Gold Bowl winner Canterbury Tales (SAf) (Greys Inn). 

Horse Chestnut (SAf) (Fort Wood) will be sorely missed as a sire and he still ranks as one of the greatest, if not the greatest racehorses ever to come out of South Africa. Mauritzfontein Stud, home of his sire Fort Wood, consigns lot 235, a stunning colt by Horse Chestnut out of the Stage Colony mare Lady Helen. Named Cassius, the colt is a full brother to G3 Ladies Mile winner Banbury. 

Captain Al (Saf) (Al Mufti) has for many years been a stalwart of the South African breeding industry and has been crowned champion 2-year-old sire four times. He may only have 16 yearlings in the sale, but most of them are pure quality, with lot 294, the standout. Consigned by Cheveley Stud, the beautiful grey colt is the 10th produce of the outstanding broodmare Mystic Spring (SAf), who has already produced five multiple graded winners, including Equus champion 3-year-old colt, Rabiya (Saf) (Jallad) and Secret Of Victoria (Saf) (Goldkeeper), dam of Equus champion 2-year-old filly All Is Secret (SAf) by none other than Captain Al. 

Last but certainly not least is lot 148, a Philanthropist filly out of Spey Bridge champion 3-year-old filly, First Arrival (Saf) (Northern Guest). First Arrival has already produced Equus champion 3-year-old colt Let's Rock and Roll and Equus champion 3-year-old filly In The Fast Lane and all her runners to date are winners. Just on paddock value alone the filly is worth a fortune, but she also has an outstanding conformation and could easily be one of the fillies' salestoppers. 
The sale starts at 1:00 p.m. today with lot 1 to lot 150 being auctioned by local auctioneers Graeme Hawkins, Andrew Miller and visiting auctioneer Steve Davis.