Record price paid for Var filly at Sale

History was made when a Var filly was knocked down for R5 million on Friday, the final day of the 2017 National Yearling Sale.

The filly, named Goddess Var, is the most expensive yearling ever sold at a BSA auction, surpassing the R4.75 million paid for Savannah Cat in 2015 and she was knocked down to Shadwell South Africa.

Consigned by Varsfontein Stud, Var Goddess was produced by the winning Captain Al mare Fidelity, a three parts sister to Grade 3 East Cape Derby winner Captain Splendid and a half-sister to Grade 2 winning sire Master Of My Fate and the four- time stakes winner Justthewayyouare. Her second dam is Equus Champion Promisefrommyheart, whose six career wins included the Grade 1 Triple Tiara 1600 and Grade 1 SA Fillies Guineas.

Remarkably, the sales topper of the 2017 National Sale was exactly double the price of the 2016 top priced lot!

The sale proved highly favourable for buyers, with many picking up notable bargains at the sale, and a lack of middle market was once again in evidence at this sale. This is reflected in the sales' overall statistics.

While the aggregate of the 2017 National Sale rose from R106,885,000 to R11,770,000 (a rise of nearly 5%), both the average price and median dropped. The average fell from R320,015 to R304,550 (or 5%), while the median dropped from R200,000 to R180,000.

The number of horses failing to sell increased notably from 58 a year ago to 68 in 2017.

Jehan Malherbe of Form Bloodstock was the leading buyer with 29 yearlings purchased grossing a total of R20.245 million.

Varsfontein Stud headed the vendors list, with 23 of their 27 lots offered grossing R15.495 million - and averaging R673,696. Mauritzfontein, Wilgerbosdrift, Lammerskraal and Drakenstein Stud rounded off the top five vendors at the 2017 National Yearling Sale.