Coolmore make their mark in Cape Town
The Coolmore juggernaut rolled into Cape Town at the weekend with the famous Irish stud securing a Trippi colt for a recordequalling price of R6 million in the first session of the Cape Premier Yearling Sale.
Consigned by Drakenstein stud, the yearling is the first foal of the five-time winner, Demanding Lady. The price equalled the R6 million bid for a son of Silvano at this sale 12 months ago.
Although signed for by the John Magner team, Derek Brugman, racing manager for Markus Jooste, said SA’s leading owner would be part of the partnership in the colt. He said the yearling was “likely to be sent to trainer Brett Crawford.”
The yearling, named Charles, was just the second lot to come under the hammer of Australian auctioneer, Grant Burns. However, he’s used to big prices at major sales such as Magic Millions so will have been delighted to have sold the highest lot on his first shift on the rostrum.
This sale helped Drakenstein to an outstanding aggregate of R19,45 million for their seven yearlings sold. Klawervlei Stud’s aggregate was R100,000 more, but their total was for 23 yearlings.
At the close of business of the first session, the aggregate stood at R70,42 million with an average of R623,230.
A total of 14 yearlings made R1 million or more and the second highest price was for another Drakenstein-bred youngster with Bernard Marais bidding R4,5 million for a Captain Al colt named Captain of Tortuga. It was no surprise that Burns was kept busy fielding bids for this lot as the colt is the second foal of triple Grade 1 winner, Ebony Flyer.
The four yearlings by superstar racehorse, Frankel, provided a huge boost among the 34 sires represented in the 237-lot catalogue and one of his daughters consigned by Klawervlei Stud (as agents) - made third top price of R4 million. The filly - the first produce of a Fastnet Rock mare - was knocked down to Justin Casse.
Cape Thoroughbred Sales will be delighted at the increase in international interest and China Horse Club finished in fifth place on the buyers list purchasing two yearlings for a total of R4,2 million. Their major buy was a bid of R3,75 million for a Captain Al colt from Drakenstein.
The interesting part of this sale was the jump from a bid of R300,000 to R1 million which surprised many onlookers and may have also surprised auctioneer Grant Burns.
Lammerskraal Stud sent six yearlings to the sale, but they were also in the market as buyers and bought a Var filly from Drakenstein for R3,6 million. She is the third foal of the seven-time winner, Captain’s Lover, whose major success came in the Cape Fillies Guineas.
As vendors, Lammerskraal’s, Sally Jourdan, said she was “extremely pleased” that trainer Dennis Drier liked their colt by Master Of My Fate. The son of Jet Master won six races in Drier’s care and the KZN maestro secured his son with a bid of R450,000.
Former champion sprinter, What A Winter, is another new kid on the sires’ block and trainer Charles Laird bought a colt from Klawervlei for R2,2 million. He is the first produce of the mare Enchanting Cathy who is a half-sister to champion sprinter, National Currency.
Next week is a big one for new trainer Candice Bass-Robinson and Bass Racing also spent R2,2 million on a Silvano filly from Oldlands Stud (as agents). This yearling is a half-sister to Gauteng Filies Guineas winner, Go Indigo.
A little later, Justin Casse, who later bought a Frankel filly for R4 million, bid R2 million for a daughter of Trippi consigned by Highlands Farm Stud (as agents).
“This sale goes from strength to strength and we’re expecting some more big prices on the second session,” enthused CTS chief executive officer, Adrian Todd.