National Yearling Sales Wrap: Rathmor Stud Incredible Sales Results

Rathmor Stud’s KZN-bred Captain Al filly sold for R700 000 to Brett Crawford. Image: Candiese Marnewick

Rathmor Stud did KZN very proud with exceptional results over the three days of the National Yearling Sale with their registered KZN-breds – overall the National Yearling Sale surprised many with extraordinary results for a supressed economic climate.

Rathmor Stud sold eight yearlings for an average of R525 000 – bringing a very strong draft to the sales after acquiring choice broodmares to bolster the books of their exciting stallion Noble Tune, and they reaped the rewards for their hard work and astitute purchases which put Rathmor firmly on the map at the sale. What is even more exciting is the anticipation of seeing the yearlings to come in future from this farm that has achieved international and local Gr1 successes.

On the last day, Rathmor Stud’s Captain Al filly out of Kiribati (named Kir) was knocked down for R700 000 to Brett Crawford. Rathmor opened the batting early with their Dynasty colt selling to leading bloodstock agent John Freeman for R1,7-million, who also secured their Silvano colt for R700 000.

All of Rathmor’s yearlings were registered with the KZN Breeders Premium Scheme which means that they qualify for the added incentives offered by the KZN Breeders Club and will earn their breeders a premium annually from minor stakes accumulated, capped at R100 000 earnings per horse. The rules do allow for mares to be mated outside of KZN, as long as the stallions are alternated with KZN resident sires each year and the mares are returned to KZN within the 6 month window period set in the rules.

Crusades son – a half-brother to Gr1 winner Wild One and Gr3 Save The Rhino sold to Ormond Ferraris for R400 000. Image: Candiese Marnewick

Not surprisingly, the Noble Tune’s were enthusiastically received by buyers and he attained an impressive average of R223 333 for six yearlings sold; the most expensive an imposing and flashy colt from Lee and Dino Scribante’s Piemonte Stud which was spotted frequently being pulled out of by prospective buyers for inspection, walking up and down the black tar strips in the stable block of Piemonte Stud and standing out with his broad white blaze, masculine features and stockings.

Crusade still remained popular – selling 16 yearlings for a credible average of R133 000 each. Early in the season, he has had three wins and almost every single one of his progeny have placed to date, placing him firmly in the first three of the national juvenile sires log.

Eightfold Paths son from Rathmor Stud sold to Howells Racing for R150 000. He is out of Glittering Temple by Windrush. Image: Candiese Marnewick

Eightfold Path saw a beautiful dark bay colt with an usual white blaze knocked down to Howells Racing for R100 000. Scott Bros other sire, the evergreen Mogok who had another Gr1 second place at Turffontein with Varsfontein-bred Pagoda, averaged an impressive R173 000 for four lots sold – his progeny are forever in demand and Robin Scott believes he will reproduce as a broodmare sire at stud – already showing his colours with grandson, Matador Man.

Scott Bros superb Crusade colt was not ignored, a very handsome individual oozing quality and presence since his birth, the half-brother to Gr1 winner Wild One and Gr3 placed Save The Rhino saw enthusiastic bidding in the ring to be knocked down for R400 000 to maestro Ormond Ferraris – who trains Save The Rhino and holds the son of Mogok in very high regard. Sold as Lot 382 and named Rescue, the Crusade colt is a half-brother to five winners including Equus Champion Stayer Wild One, Gr1 placed Extinct and of course, Save The Rhino.

Bush Hill Stud, who have had several winners in a week including The Poet, Atomic Belle and Aramouse on Turffontein’s super Saturday (the latter a full brother to Gr2 winner, The Mouseketeer) sold an eyecatching Irish Flame filly as agent for R150 000. The elegant daughter and a dead ringer for her multiple Gr1 winning Equus Horse Of The Year sire, will go into training with Alistair Gordon after selling to Applewood Trading. The filly is a half-sister to Black Type gelding, Mr Whatever.

Bush Hill Studs elegant Irish Flame filly, a half-sister to Mr Whatever. Image: Candiese Marnewick

Michael Benson’s Kjell Foundation achieved results with both yearlings consigned sold – the first, a three parts sister to winners Kanonkop and Wynkelder (by Mogok) went to Duncan Howells racing for R200 000, whilst their Toreador sold to World Wide Bloodstock for R140 000. The breeders of Eastern Greeting, Kalaam and Kwinta can never be ignore when bringing a yearling to sale afer achieving extraordinary results from a handful of mares.

Syd and Shirley Rosseau of St Helier Stud, the breeders of Madigan, have invested in over the past few years in a small well-bred band of broodmares and their persistence paid off with two of their four yearlings selling for over R300 000, lead by an exceptional chestnut What A Winter colt for R375 000. Glen Kotzen picked up their racy and athletic Var filly for a song at R225 000, while Michael Lee purchased their classic looking Fort Wood colt for R300 000. Oratorina, the filly from the immediate family of Pocket Power and River Jetez was a bargain for Gavin Van Zyl at R100 000.

Lloyd George, a Fort Wood colt from St Helier sold for R300 000. Image: Candiese Marnewick

The National Yearling Sale overall saw 369 yearlings sold for an average of R303 726 each. A Bloodstock South Africa sales record was set with a yearling from Varsfontein sold to Shadwell Stud for R5-million. The daughter of Var out of a maiden Captain Al mare Fidelity hails from the family of Promiseofmyheart, Hack Green, Master Of My Fate and Pluck.

The second highest colt of the sale was a son of Silvano out of a full sister to KZN-based sire, Capetown Noir.

Congratulations to all concerned!