Top lots on offer at NYS 2024
The 2024 National Yearling Sale will take place at the TBA Sales Complex at Gosforth Park tomorrow and Friday.
The sale will start at 10am on both days with Lots 1 to 230 covered off tomorrow and Lots 231 to 393 on Friday.
With the news released recently about a change in export protocols to Europe, the sale is sure to attract a lot of interest both locally and abroad.
Everybody will be looking for that next champion and a glance at the some of the lots on sale buyers will be licking their lips.
Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam and Gold Ducat were the first three progeny of broodmare Halfway To Heaven and all three of them where multiple Grade 1 winners.
Both Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat were gelded but Hawwaam, a 10-time winner of 13 starts by Silvano, will be represented for the first time at this sale.
In addition, Halfway To Heaven will have a yearling for sale and it will be a first colt by outstanding sire Vercingetorix.
He is Rainbow Crossing, Lot 167, and forms part of another quality draft coming from Wilgerbosdrift.
Understandably, Shane van Zyl is very pleased with the quality of thoroughbred showcased in Wilgerbosdrift's National Sale draft, and he had the following lots mentioned as likely standouts:
Lot 15: Rare Species, a colt by Danon Platina out of Welwitschia
A half-brother to Desert Miracle, he is well balanced, and a good mover with a lots of quality.
Lot 110: Queens Guard, a colt by Hawwaam out of Dashing Scarlet
A real standout, he stands over ground and is a good size with lots of quality, just a very classy looking colt.
Lot 129: Sparkling Rose, a colt by Hawwaam out of Espumanti
Good looking colt, and halfbrother to Sparkling Water, that stands over ground, with lots of quality and presence.
Lot 167: Rainbow Crossing, a colt by Vercingetorix out of Halfway To Heaven.
This is the half-brother to Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam and Golden Ducat. He should be one of the sales toppers. Good-looking colt with lots of quality and scope.
Lot 175: Man Of His Word, a colt by Gimmethegreenlight out of Honorine He is a good sized colt with lots of substance and scope.
Lot 266: Made To Measure, a filly by Fire Away out of One Of A Kind.
A half-sister to None Other, she is a nice type, has good confirmation and moves well.
Dr Marianne Thomson has bred many top-class horses. From the likes of Met winner Alastor to the G1 winning siblings Al Nitak and The Sheik, the Ambiance Stud has churned out an impressive list of top-class horses over the years.
The latest star bred by Dr Thomson is Royal Victory, who recently completed a notable G1 double at Turffontein. Winner of the G1 Betway Summer Cup earlier in the season, four-year-old Royal Victory claimed a second G1 victory when he won the 2024 G1 World Pool Premier's Champions Challenge over last season's G1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Winchester Mansion.
A bargain R90,000 buy from the 2021 National Yearling Sale, Royal Victory has already earned more than R4.845 million in prize money.
On offer this year is Querari half-sister (Lot 201) to Royal Victory, as well as yearlings sired by the likes of Elusive Fort, Rafeef, The United States, William Longsword and the ever-popular Vercingetorix.
Understandably, Dr Thomson is keen on the prospects of Royal Victory's half-sister, named Royal Kailani, and said of her: "She is stunning, a very nice, strong filly.
She has a similar attitude to Royal Victory, both are easy to work with but determined at the same time."
Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm also have a formidable draft and it is made up of yearlings sired by all of Captain Of All, Erupt, Futura, Gimmethegreenlight, One World, Oratorio, Vercingetorix, and What A Winter.
Pippa Mickleburgh said of her draft: "All in all they are a super bunch and have been an absolute pleasure to prep."
However, she singled out the following yearlings as standouts.
Lot 245: October Storm c Vercingetorix-Miss October.
An exciting colt..tall athletic and very correct. Looks like a true miler...stunning temperament and the mare has been a real star.. so definitely a horse that will attract nice interest.
Lot 130: Headstart c Gimmethegrenlight x Esteemal
Very strong rugged colt..powerful hind quarter and sure has a desire to " move"... proper colt from a young mare from a lovely family..exciting colt.
Lot 358: Constellation c What A Winter - Star Burst Galaxy
A classy speed machine bred to win someone the Computaform Sprint. A beautiful looker he reminds me lot of the Vars of the past.