Last held in 2019 pre-COVID, the Bloodstock South Africa KZN Yearling Sale's first session was topped by a son of Vercingetorix (SAf) for R1.1 million ($66,851/£55,728/€64,368) to John Freeman. Consigned by Boland Stud, he was sold as lot 73. He is out of a winning Var (SAf) half-sister to Grade 2 winner Silvano's Jet (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}), while his second dam is a dual listed winner and a daughter of the Grade 1 winner State Treasure (SAf) (Free State {Ire}).
That Maine Chance Farms' sire was also responsible for Thursday's top-priced filly, lot 4, who was also the second-highest lot of the day. Mary Liley bought the Klawervlei Stud-consigned filly for R625,000 ($37,967/£31,663/€36,566). She is a relative of G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen scorer Sterling City (Aus) (Nadeem {Aus}) and G1 Randwick Guineas winner Kementari (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}).
Overall, the first session saw a gross of R18,095,000 ($1,098,926/£916,778/€1,058,646) for 146 sold from 153 offered (95.4%). The average was R123,938 ($7,526/£6,279/€7,250) up 37.7% from 2019's numbers, while the median also rose 22.6% to R77,500 ($4,708/£3,928/€4,536). Friday marks the second and final session of the two-day stand.
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