Silvano (Ger) and Varsfontein Stud continued to hit the headlines during the second session of the 2016 National Yearling sale when lot 166, a colt out of Jodie (SAf) (Western Winter), was knocked down to Shadwell South Africa for R2.3 million (£110,261/€141,833). Hailing from the family of multiple graded winners Annie (SAf) (Trigger Finger), Ice Cube (SAf) (Western Winter) and Grand Emporium (SAf) (National Assembly), the colt–named Pietro Mascagni–caused a protracted bidding duel between Jehan Malherbe of Form Bloodstock, standing ringside, and Mike de Kock, bidding on behalf of Shadwell South Africa at the walking ring.
De Kock, who trained Grand Emporium to victory in the G1 Daily News and the G2 Godolphin Mile, said “Sheikh Hamdan has already bought a number of horses for me in Australia and his support here at our National Sale is greatly appreciated. The colt is from a very strong family and he certainly looks the part.” Carl de Vos, stud manager at Varsfontein Stud, said he was delighted the colt would be going to De Kock. “Both De Kock and Malherbe are superb yearling selectors and for them both to want this colt is a great accolade.”
Lot 286, a Trippi colt out of the Fort Wood mare Rememberance (SAf), also went the way of Shadwell South Africa with the hammer coming down at R1.4 million (£67,107/€86,323).
Mauritzfontein Stud produced another millionaire when lot 226, a Silvano colt out of Mrs Brock (SAf) (Fort Wood), was knocked down to Form Bloodstock for R1.5 million (£71,909/€92,489). Mrs Brock is a full sister to Mr Brock, who raced in Mauritius before bounding onto the international scene with a start in the G1 Dubai World Cup in 2010. The colt, named Diamondveld, is a half-brother to Miranda Frost (SAf) (Western Winter), who is unbeaten in two starts.
“I bought him for an overseas client and he will be trained by Dean Kannemeyer,” said Malherbe. “Miranda Frost, the half- sister, appears to be more than useful and the mare is off to a very good start.”
Silvano and Mauritzfontein seemed to go hand-in-hand, as they also consigned lot 184, a colt named Earl Of Warwick out of the Fort Wood mare Lady Brooke (SAf). Brett Crawford signed for the colt at R1.2 million (£57,527/€73,957). Crawford saw the colt on a visit to Mauritzfontein in Kimberley and said he liked him straight away. “He is a very nice, athletic type,” the trainer said. “I liked him from the minute I saw him on the farm and I had to have him.”
The only Tapit in the sale, a colt out of Pin Turn (GB) (Pivotal {GB})–a daughter of G1 Vodacom Durban July and G1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes winner Ipi Tombe (ZIM) (Manshood {GB})– consigned by Drakenstein Stud as lot 258, was knocked down to Form Bloodstock, signing on behalf of Al Adiyat South Africa, for R1 million (£47,296/€61,631).
“Today's sale was much more buoyant after a very slow start,” said Bloodstock SA CEO Kevin Woolard. “What was very pleasing was that nine horses breached the R1-million mark. We look forward to the last session tomorrow, when the remaining 151 yearlings come under the hammer.”
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