Another champion might be sold at National Yearling Sale

Buyers get their best opportunity to purchase a champion like Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle - that's the upbeat message from the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) chairman Susan Rowett ahead of next week's National Yearling Sale in Germiston.

The three-day sale with auctioneers Steve Davis, Andrew Miller and Graeme Hawkins on rostrum, runs from Wednesday 3 May to Friday 5 May.

With the obvious exception of Klawervlei who are the backbone of Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS), all the big-name studs including Drakenstein, Highlands, Summerhill, Maine Chance, Cheveley, Varsfontein, Avontuur, Mauritzfontein and Wilgerbosdrift have sent strong drafts to the sale.

However, it will not have gone unnoticed by these vendors that both the aggregate and average fell at last week's CTS Sale at Emperors Palace. While 40 fewer yearlings were catalogued compared to last year, the aggregate fell from R63 million to R41.6 million and the average from R377,754 to R317,939.

What is certain is that many trainers returned home last week with only a few purchases which means they will be out to acquire some decent stock for their owners next week.

Here are a few who may get the catalogues waving on Day 1.

Lot 42: A Silvano colt from Lammerskraal. His granddam Akinfeet produced 2014 Equus Champion Miler Capetown Noir.

Lot 67: This Captain Al filly from Cheveley hails from a family of black-type winners, including Rabiya, Secret Of Victoria and Bela-Bela. She is a late foal, being born in January.

Lot 97: A lot certain to be examined by Sean Tarry. This is the half-brother to his Durban July winner Heavy Metal. He hails from Bosworth Farm Stud.

Lot 112: A Silvano filly from Maine Chance Farms. She is the second produce of 2012 Equus Champion Three Year-Old Filly Princess Victoria.

Lot 132: Expect plenty of action for this Judpot colt from Varsfontein as he's a halfbrother to Captain America. Day 2 Lot 201: Colt by Master Of My Fate is from Varsfontein and a half-brother to ML Jet.

Lot 207: Klipdrif Stud (as agent) offer an Oratorio colt who is a half-brother to triple Grade 1 winner Ebony Flyer.

Lot 219: Scott Bros consign this Eightfold Path colt who is a half-brother to Equus Champion Sprinter Talktothestars.

Lot 230: This Dynasty colt from Wilgerbosdrift is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Negroamaro.

Lot 253: A Fort Wood colt from Wilgerbosdrift and the first produce of seven-time winner Welwitschia.

Lot 332: Summerhill have consigned a Var colt who is the second produce of fivetime winner Checetti. Day 3 Lot 401: Mauritzfontein offer a Var colt out of Summer Cup winner Flirtation.

Lot 416: This Dynasty colt from Wilgerbosdrift is a half-brother to Graham Beck Stakes winner Whistle Stop.

Lot 418: Andrew Miller should be bombarded with bids for Mauritzfontein's Ideal World colt because he is a half-brother to Marinaresco.