Record numbers underpinned the buoyant bloodstock market in South Africa  at Thursday’s BSA KZN Yearling Sale at Suncoast Casino, a sale that used to be held at Newmarket (old training center for Kzn horses) in the earlier days during this self same Durban July week. The event saw high prices and a robust middle market.

The top lot, a filly named Lovecomesknocking (Lot 72) by Gimmethegreenlight, fetched an impressive R1.9 million from Mary Liley.

Lovecomesknocking, consigned by Klawervlei Stud (Pty) Ltd, is a well-bred filly. Her full-sister, Lovegrass, has won two of her four starts. Lovecomesknocking is out of Eros’s Girl, a Listed East Cape Oaks winner, and is closely related to Equus Champion Captain’s Lover, as well as the Gr3 Politician Stakes winner and Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby runner-up Universal, and Equus Champion Vardy.

Clifton Stud also had a successful sale, consigning the second-highest lot. Lord Wimborne (Lot 103), a half-brother to Gr1 Daily News 2000 runner-up and Hollywoodbets Durban July contender Flag Man, sold for R900,000 to Vuyo. We featured this dam in an article earlier this week. 

Lord Wimborne, a half-brother to four winners aside from Flag Man, is out of the winning mare Irresistible Chris. She is a half-sister to July-winning champion Eyeofthetiger and Gr3 The Debutante winner Best Chris.

The sale saw an active buying bench and keen market interest, leading to increased prices and statistics. The top lot set a new record price for the KZN Yearling Sale, and the aggregate rose significantly from R27.1 million to R39.075 million. The average price increased from R184,354 to R214,698, and the median price went from R140,000 to R150,000. The top price leapt from R750,000 last year to R1.9 million.

Klawervlei Stud (Pty) Ltd was the sale’s top vendor, selling all ten lots for a total of R5.85 million. Pound Bloodstock emerged as the top buyer, purchasing 15 yearlings for R3.515 million.

Champion sire One World, bred by Klawervlei Stud, led the sires standings with all 12 of his yearlings on offer being sold.

Image BSA