Klawervlei Stud, South Africa’s six-time champion breeder, is set to enter a new era. The Koster family’s multi award-winning Bonnievale establishment has been acquired by prominent businessman and leading racehorse owner, Laurence Wernars.
The transaction marks one of the most significant developments in the local breeding industry in recent years, with stewardship of one of South Africa’s most successful thoroughbred operations passing to a new owner committed to preserving its rich legacy and reputation for excellence.
The formidable roll of honour of stars born and raised at Klawervlei reads like a who’s who of South African thoroughbreds over the past four-and-a-half decades. Among them are South Africa’s standard-setting super stallion Captain Al (Al Mufti), his outstanding son One World, exported champion filly Carry On Alice, international track star and reigning champion stallion Vercingetorix (Silvano), multiple champion mare Roland’s Song (Roland Gardens), globetrotting sprint sensation Shea Shea (National Emblem), and Durban July hero and freshman stallion Kommetdieding (Elusive Fort).
The transfer of ownership will be accompanied by a full dispersal sale of Klawervlei’s existing stallions, mares and weanlings – about 160 in total – to be conducted on the farm on Monday, 10 August.
Wernars said: “We are purchasing a beautifully equipped farm with its assets and equipment, not the existing bloodstock. The improvements made to Klawervlei over the years – the dams, paddocks and infrastructure – required enormous investment and simply could not be replicated today.
“We currently have 54 mares spread around the country and most of them will be relocated to Klawervlei. We hold stallion shares in many of the leading Cape-based sires, so our mares will be kept busy.
“Aside from that, Klawervlei will remain a luxury boarding facility and the broodmares owned by outside clients will be staying on. The farm is spacious and can easily accommodate 120 mares.”
Wernars, who admits to being completely smitten with everything horse-related, said that owning a stud farm was never really on his radar. He quipped: “Can you imagine a businessman in a suit and gumboots trying to look after prized thoroughbreds?”
However, a recent trip to the United Kingdom proved influential. He was captivated not only by the standard of racing at Royal Ascot, but also by visits to Juddmonte Farms and Darley Stud.
“I was hugely impressed by the excellence of their operations, and getting to touch the legendary Frankel and Dubawi was an unforgettable experience,” he said.
“My visits to the studs reminded me of the horizons our wonderful sport continues to present. This feels like the next step in our journey.”
Wernars said that breeder John Koster’s remaining on the farm to assist with the transition, training of a new stud manager and overseeing operations as long as possible was integral to his decision.
“John is a great and accomplished horseman. His family house is on the farm and while we know he wishes to enjoy his retirement with some travelling in the next few years, we asked him to stay as long as he wants.”
Koster, the third-generation breeder responsible for much of Klawervlei’s headline success, paid tribute to Wernars and said he was delighted to welcome a man of such stature into the world of thoroughbred breeding.
Koster commented: “Laurence is a man with huge energy and a deep passion for horses, racing, breeding and people. He means a great deal to all of us. It will be my profound privilege to assist Laurence and the Wernars family to attain their dreams on this beautiful and magnificent farm. I look forward to our future together with great enthusiasm.
“For 45 years, our family has taken this farm to magnificent success for both equine athletes and the human community. As the new custodian of this land, Laurence has a firm commitment to the soil, the horses, the people and traditions that have shaped our past success. He is a man of true principle who has bought into our vision, our philosophies and our way of conducting our activities and business on and off the farm.
“I have a heart full of gratitude. I’d like to convey a personal and heartfelt thank you to all our staff, also our clients and friends who have supported us on this extraordinary journey. Most important, we thank our wonderful thoroughbreds, who have been at the heart of everything we have done and remain the enduring legacy of this farm.”
For enquiries on the Klawervlei dispersal sale, please contact Grant Knowles at centralrtrading@gmail.com or on 082 882 9774.
