Henning Pretorius, who acquired Summerhill Stud earlier this year and now known as Summerhill Equestrian, has plunged into the Thoroughbred industry and made waves with his sales topping R7-Million purchase on Day 1 of the Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.
Henning is a leading breeder in the world of Warmblood Sport Horses with Capital Stud.
The much talked about colt of the sale, a full brother to multiple Gr1 winner Hawwaam (Silvano) and a half brother to Gr1 winners Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat, its almost a case of ‘coming home’ for the colt who may well be a very exciting future stallion prospect – his Jet Master dam, Broodmare Of The Year, has only produced Gr1 winners from her runners. Halfway To Heaven’s sire and dam are both #kznbred, the latter ending her days at Wynnholme Stud – herself a daughter of Rambo Dancer, who stood at Summerhill.
Henning Pretorius also purchased an athletic Trippi colt named Tuk Tuk for R700 000, a colt descended from Rat Burana with Fort Wood as the broodmare sire.
Both above horses were consigned by Wilgerbosdrift.
Piemonte Stud topped the first day of the Nationals with their Global View colt knocked down to Dennis Drier for R240 000. Sold as Lot 199 and named Frederico, this is the female line of Tatler and Consensual, as well as Just Sensual.
Bush Hill Stud followed suit with their beautiful grey filly by What A Winter out of a Gr2 Guineas winner Go Indigo. She sold to St John Gray for R160 000.
Day 2 of the Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale continues from 11:30 today, with a sharp William Longsword from the family of Redberry Lane going under the hammer from Spring Valley Stud.
Watch this space.