Flying The Flag Colt Tops #KZNBreds On Day 1
Bush Hill topped the #kznbreds on Day 1 of the Emperors Palace National 2YO Sale, with an outstanding colt consigned as Lot 122 named Flitterbug. He sold to Jo Muya, and will be on board a flight soon to Kenya.
Auctioneer Graeme Hawkins stated in the sales ring yesterday that Flying The Flag had one of the best stallion pedigrees in the country, with the Group Winning son of Galileo at Bush Hill Stud a full brother to leading European race fillies and multiple Gr1 winners Rhododendron and Magical. Had Flying The Flag’s full sisters come before him, we would never have seen him stand at stud in South Africa.
Flitterbug is a third foal for Toreador mare Flitter, a 2-time winner with Black Type – winning from age 2 to 3 over 1400 – 1450m, and placing 11 times including 4th Ipi Tombe Challenge Gr.2, Umzimkhulu Stakes Gr.3 and Emerald Fillies Handicap Listed.
This colt also represents a world renowned cross of Galileo on Danehill through Toreador. This is the damline of Marinaresco, Bulsara and Celtic Grove.
Despite negative predications and political anxieties, expectations were surpassed at the first day of the 2019 Emperors Palace National 2YO Sale, which took place at the TBA complex in Germiston on Thursday.
All of the aggregate, and average and median prices rose from last year, while the clearance rate reached an impressive 83% strike rate at the first day of trading.
Thursday’s aggregate of R17.16 million rose by R1.4 million from the aggregate achieved at the same stage last year, with handsome gains also achieved by the average and median prices.
The first day of the National 2YO Sale this year saw an average price of R102 410 achieved (an increase of 13%), while the median rose to R70 000 (an increase of 40% from the same time last year).
Bloodstock South Africa’s Gary Grant was understandably delighted with the sales’ overall results, saying, “It was a very good sale considering the nerves and uncertainty beforehand, and yet again this market has shown its resilience. All the key indicators are up on last year, and we are hopeful this success continues through to Friday.”
A full list of prices for Thursday’s sale can be viewed online at www.bsa.co.za, with the second, and final, day of trading set to take place on Friday from 11:00 AM sharp.
