Picture: This Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm-bred Vercingetorix colt, who is a half-brother to Tempting Fate and October Morn, was the sales topper on day 2 of the BSA National Yearling Sale, sold to Brett Crawford for R2.8 million.

It would not be surprising if this year’s BSA National Yearling Sale broke a world record for an upturn as prices continued to be sky high on the second and final day today.

The gross aggregate last year was R153.8 million, the average R443 228 and the median R300 000 respectively.

This year the aggregate was 200,190,000, the average was R581,948 and the median R400,000.

Therefore the aggregate rose by 31,16%, the average rose by 31.29% and the median rose by 33.33%.

The clearance rate was 94%.

Last year there were 27 lots of R1 million and over, this year there were 43, an increase of  59%.

The highest price of R6,000,000 is below the record of R9,000,000 set in 2019 but was almost double last year’s highest price of R3,200,000.

Vercingetorix’s cover fee last year was R220,000 in total (R50,000 nomination and R170,000 for a live foal).

However, he showed how worthwhile that fee is at this Sale, where his 34 lots sold from 35 available avaraged a phenomenal R1,161,029.

He had 13 seven figure lots.

He topped the aggregates at R39,475,000.

Last year Vercingetorix was also top of the standings with 35 lots sold of 36 available for an aggregate of 29,900,000 and an average of R854,286.

His average increased this year by 35,9% and his aggregate by 32%.

National champion sire Gimmethegreenlight had the highest priced lot at the Sale (R6m).

He had eleven seven figure lots.

He had 39 of 42 lots available sold and averaged R908,974 for an aggregate of R35,450,000.

Trippi had the highest average of R1,412,500 and Hawwaam also averaged over R1 million.

However, both only had 8 lots on the Sale (all of them sold) and both had a yearling that went for R5m+ , compared to Vercingetorix’s highest priced lot of R3,6 million, which was the highest priced filly on the Sale.

Half Of Trippi’s eight lots went for seven figure amounts.

Hawwaam only had one seven figure lot.

What A Winter had four seven figure lots, Futura had two, Rafeef had two, Querari had two, One World had two, Danon Platina had one and Erik The Red had one.

The highest priced lot on day 2 was a Vercingetorx colt out of the five time-winning Gr 3-winning sprinter Miss October (Var). That makes him a half-brother to Gr 1-winning sprinter Tempting Fate (Master Of My Fate) and to Gr 2-winning sprinter October Morn (Trippi). The latter is favourite for tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) Gr 3 Champagne Stakes. This colt was bred by Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm. He was purchased by Brett Crawford.

An interesting purchase was the R2,6 million Sabine Plattner went to to get Drakenstein Stud-bred Futura half-brother to Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot.

Futura stands for just R20,000 (R5,000 nom, R15,000 live foal) so did well to get two seven figure lots, although both of them were bred by Drakenstein Stud where he stands and both were from great mares. Futura’s other seven figure lot is a half-brother to See It Again.

Also going for R2,6 million was a Klawerveli Stud-bred Vercingetorix filly out of the dual Gr 1 winner Thunderdance (Jet Master), purchased by Form Bloodstock.

An Ascot Stud-bred Gimmethegreenlight filly out of a Listed-winning full-sister to Cape Guineas winner Elusive Gold (Sail From Seattle), also fetched R2,6 million and was purchased by Justin Vermaak.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE SALE STATS

The above What A Winter colt was bought at the BSA National Yearling Sale and will be trained by Vaughan Marshall.

Shares are available in this good looking colt under the Turf Talk Syndicate banner.

The colt was bred by Varsfontein Stud and is extremely well bred.

He is out of three time-winning Doowaley mare Majestic Star.

That makes him a half-brother to Gr 3 winner and Gr 1-placed Star Express, who is the dam of Gr 1 winner Bless My Stars and Gr 3 winner Let’s Go Now.

The colt is from the family of the great Model Man and close up to him is the like of Gr 1 winner Bull Valley and the talented Listed winner Control Freak, who is dam of Listed winning and Gr 1-placed Quantum Theory.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TURF TALK SYNDICATE COLT’S PEDIGREE

To enquire about shares in this smashing colt contact Jo Knowles (contact details below).

Jo Knowles: Cell: 083 399 6353 Email: Joknowles.ems@gmail.com

Rio Querari, a former Equus Champion Sprinter, is now seven years old, but still retains plenty of ability (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

The R250 000 Champagne Stakes (Gr 3) over 1200m heads a ten-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth tomorrow and the former Equus Champion, Rio Querari, could land his first victory in almost a year. Rio Querari has consistently finished in the money since that last course and distance success back in May 2023 and there is no doubt that he is much more at home over 1200m these days than over the sharper trips.

In the 1200m Diadem Stakes two months ago, Rio Querari was beaten a shade more than a length by Thunderstruck at level weights and a repeat of that effort will see the “old man” go very close here. Since the Diadem, Rio Querari has finished third in his last two starts over 1000m and 1100m and there can be no doubting his current well-being and fitness levels. He meets Winter Cloud and Dance Variety on more favourable weight terms, and it should be a closely fought affair between the three.

But the race does not end there! October Morn is at her best over this track and trip and should prove very competitive while both Questioning and Countdown have the class to take top honours in an interesting renewal of the Champagne Stakes. Café Culture last won over this distance when shedding his maiden ticket in May 2023, when curiously beating Questioning by the better part of a length. Café Culture has won four times since then, his recent form is solid and with just 55,5 kgs to shoulder the 4yo son of Var could make his presence felt in a big way.

But I keep coming back to Rio Querari. I cannot be sure that my heart is not ruling my head, but I would be thrilled to see him win another Graded race and it’s interesting that Bernard Fayd’herbe rides the 7yo gelding for the very first time. I fancy Dance Variety and October Morn to chase him home but have healthy respect for Café Culture, Winter Cloud, Countdown and Questioning.

The Abdicator should record back-to-back victories when he lines up in the eighth race, a Middle Stakes over 1000m. Fourie retains the ride for the Brett Crawford stable and will be seeking to maintain his 100% per cent record aboard the 3yo son of No Nay Never. Between Fourie and Crawford, they have improved the racing manners of The Abdicator, and he is no longer inclined to tear off to the front at breakneck speed. He is certainly able to lead but as witnessed in his last two starts, he is equally capable of being held up for a run. He should prove difficult to beat in this 9-horse field and will be a popular banker for many. Piroshka, Tough Terrain and Icy Blast should follow him home.

The first race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, is due off at 12:20 and Kaiboy will be a warm order to progress from his sparkling debut behind Lion Rampart. With the benefit of that run under the belt, Kaiboy should have the measure of Worldly, but there are many well-bred newcomers including the Nick Jonsson-owned Powerantheglory and the betting will be the best guide to their chances.

Talk To The Master looks the part in the opening leg of the Bipot, a Juvenile Plate over 1200m, while Approach Shot and Connery rate the principals in the first leg of the Place Accumulator, a Maiden Plate over 1000m. Races 4, 5 and 6 are all Open Maidens and these types of races are prone to surprise results.

The fourth race is an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1200m and here the consistent Charlene appears to set the standard. Fourie has opted to stick with Rocking Peonie, who sports blinkers for the first time and, in receipt of 5 kgs from Charlene, the daughter of Captain Of All Is an interesting runner. Lightly raced Future Star has not been seen since September last year but could make a winning return in this class while Spirit Guide can show further improvement and is definitely one for the short-list. On best form, True Horizon can surprise off bottom weight but Charlene is given the benefit of the doubt.

The fifth race, an Open Maiden over 1200m, is a real puzzler but Twentytwentyvision, having his first run as a gelding, must be considered along with Einstein, Stars in Heaven and the lightly weighted Miss Lemonade. Cosmic Rhythm appears to prefer further but could surprise in a weak race.

Sansa Stark, Green Isle, National Disgrace and Saint Brigid make most appeal in the sixth race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1600m, and hopefully the winner will emerge from this short-list of four fillies. Sansa Stark is my narrow first choice, but she is well exposed in the maiden ranks and cannot be regarded as a betting proposition.

The ninth race is a typically competitive Class 4 Handicap over 1600m, and Big Unit could be the one to follow. He has a wide draw to overcome but his form suggests he should make a bold bid for top honours. All About Ronnie was a good winner of his penultimate start over this course and distance and he could again have the measure of Le Legionnaire, although there should not be much to choose between the pair. Shavout has his first run since November last year, but he is reportedly doing well at home and must be respected.

The race meeting closes out with a Class 5 Handicap over 1400m and Liketheclappers could finally register the third win of his career. He was runner-up behind Radicchio last month and, from an inside gate, he should again give us a good run for our money. Kebonalesedi and Kelp Forest should be in the mix and the 2yo World of Pleasure is a must for all permutations. He faces a tough task from a wide gate under 60kgs but appears to have a touch of class and could be equal to the task.

The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Lightning Dream (Rip Van Winkle) gives Warren Kennedy his 100th win of the season at Matamata racecourse (loveracing.nz race replays) 

Warren Kennedy had been in a mini slump in April that saw him unable to take full advantage of the two week suspension his nearest rival in the New Zealand premiership was enduring.

However, he had a double on both Wednesday and today to go to 101 wins for the season.

He is on top of the New Zealand premiership and is ten wins clear of second-placed Michale McNab.

McNab’s suspension ended after racing today.

McNab is chasing a third successive title.

In third place on the log on 86 wins is Joe Doyle.

Splicethemainbrace cruises to victory in the Listed East Cape SA Nursery (Pauline Herman Photography)

The Alan Greeff-trained Varsfontein Stud-bred Master Of My Fate filly Splicethemainbrace landed a Nursery double at Fairview today and this ASSM Syndicate owned two-year-old is now unbeaten in four starts.

She won the Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery on March 15 over 1200m on the turf by a head from the Gavin Smith-trained Heavenly Blue filly Happy Holly and today, receiving a 2,5kg gender allowance, won the Listed East Cape Nursery by a cosy 1,50 lengths from the Gavin Smith-trained dead-heaters KingDundee (The United States) and Silvonian.

Richard Fourie has ridden Splicethemainbrace in all of  her starts.

She has a devstating turn of foot and today he bided his time off the pace before delivering her through a gap in the middle.

She quickly put the race to bed.

Fourie described her as a “skinny little whippet”, which enabled him to squeeze through the gap, but added she was a filly with a huge heart.

It will be interesting to see whether she is targeted at the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on June 1.

Greeff, Fourie and ASSM also won the other high class race on the day, a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1200m, with the three-year-old Ascot Stud-bred Heavenly Blue filly Three Rocks.

The 109-rated filly was having her tenth start and recorded her seventh victory.

The meeting was delayed after apprentice Trent Mayhew fell in the pull-up area after the third race, where he had run an 8,25 length second on Zietsman Oosthuizen’s Swiss Walt.

The Sporting Post wrote an article on Fourie delivering an ultimatum to East Cape Racing to address this problem, because a number of jockeys have recently fallen after the finish line on the Fairview turf course.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT FOURIE’S ULTIMATUM TO EAST CAPE RACING

The Grey King winning at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Mucho Dinero may be caught short

Andrew Harrison

A Pinnacle Stakes heads a testing card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. That said, Justin Snaith has got his pre Champions Season off to a flying start and does appear to hold the key with his two runners, Mucho Dinero and The Grey King.

Mucho Dinero is already among the fancied runners for this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July and this is no doubt a warm-up race ahead of his prime target.

Mucho Dinero comes off some excellent Cape feature form and is the best weighted in this Pinnacle Stakes. The stable is in hot form and although this mile may be a touch on the short side he has most in his favour. Stable companion The Grey King was a close-up second to subsequent SplashOut Cape Derby winner Green With Envy in a Cape feature. He only has 52kg to shoulder and could well prove to be the pick of the stable runners.

Of the balance, Peter Muscutt saddles Formagear who has had three runs since a break and has not been far off and rates a strong place chance. Piet Botha is a rare visitor to KZN and Baratheon looks held on his Cape form but makes his KZN debut and can finish in the money.

The first is a Juvenile Plate where You Bring Me Joy was a fair fourth in a strong SA Fillies Nursery field for Weiho Marwing. The extra should suit and she has a smart claiming apprentice up from a good draw. Dark Winter comes from the very much in form Snaith stable and the Cape form is usually strong so she should be in the shake-up. Magical View has made steady improvement and the form of her recent win has been franked. She should make a bold bid while Care Foot, although still a maiden, made marked improvement second time out after returning from a lengthy break. She has a wide draw but not out of it.

In the second, Pilot Flame has shown up well in her two Kenilworth starts. The extra should suit and from a good draw she should make a bold bid. Danger could be beautiful Rania who was running on smartly on debut. She has a handy draw and should enjoy the extra furlong.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, Hoodwinked made a smart sprint debut and now steps up to a mile. The Kom Naidoo stable desperately needs a winner and have engaged Richard Fourie. Palermo has a tricky draw but improved in blinkers last run and the step up in trip should suit. While Tibbott Bourke has been much improved in blinkers and is knocking at the door. He is drawn well over his optimum trip.

The fifth is a wide open handicap. Danse Milord was a touch unlucky last run on the poly when out-run late. Consistent of late and should go close again. With the blinkers off Zinikele finished well to beat Danse Milord last run. She is 1kg worse off and may now have to play second fiddle. Soldier’s Eye has come on nicely since a break and has her third start. She has the best of the draw with a 1.5kg claimer up. Ice Sunsation franked the Zinikele/Danse Milord form when winning next time out but took a hefty five-point hike in the handicap and has the widest draw.

Wiccan Warrior has always had something of a reputation but did not show his best while in the Cape. However, he made a promising showing first run back on home turf and at best he will go close. El Rey Vien is overdue another win and will be a threat. He has finished in the money in all his

starts in blinkers and should put in another good showing. Phutulicious looks to be useful and won well last time out. He is still on the up and can follow up. Afropolitan is something of a poly track specialist having won three of his last four starts on the synthetic surface. If he takes to the turf again he will be dangerous.

The seventh is a tricky stayers event over 2300m where Rock Fall has top weight but stays the trip well. He was a comfortable winner last time out and should have a good chance of following up. There are a number going the trip for the first time including Every Cloud who has been knocking at the door over shorter and was a promising second last run. He should see out the extra. Pinstripe takes on males but gave some indication that she will enjoy the extra when a close-up third last run. She has a handy galloping weight. Madison Valley was running on well when caught late last run, his first in blinkers. He should stay the trip. Vihaan’s Bomb cantered up in his maiden win over course and distance but against a seriously modest field so could be anything.

The last is another competitive handicap but Theappleofmyeye is overdue a second win. Fourie has stayed with the ride and she should put in another good showing. Roy’s Rocker tried hard last run and was only run out of it late. She is holding form well and has the best of the draw. Last Ginger has come to hand nicely and has a light weight. She should go close again. Free Will has been consistent.

Raymond Danielson wins today’s last race on the Emmanuel Kaknis-trained Symbol Of Love (The United States) and lands a treble in the process. (Pauline Herman Photography).

Raymond Danielson rode a treble on the Fairview turf today, two of them for Tara Laing.

Richard Fourie rode a double for Alan Greeff and Craig Zackey rode a double for Gavin Smith.

Fourie is now on 257 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 22.16% and his projected number of wins is now 258.

Danielson is on 34 wins at 8.63%.

Zackey is on 99 wins at 10.29%.

Smith is on also on 99 wins at 11.93%.

Greeff is just three behind him in the intriguing race for the East Cape Championship and his 96 wins have been achieved at a strike rate of 15.34%.

Laing is on 17 wins at 6.85%.