Picture: This Drakenstein Stud-bred Vercingetorix colt called Wreath Of Snow has equalled the South African record for a thoroughbred racehorse sold at auction – R9 million.
The South African record price for a thoroughbred racehorse at auction was equaled at the Cape Racing Sales Premier Yearling Sale day 1 when Greg Bortz went to R9 million to secure the Drakenstein-bred Vercingetorix half-brother to Gr 1 winner Snow Pilot.
Mike de Kock successfully bid a recording-breaking R9 million on behalf of Shadwell South Africa for a Silvano colt on Day 1 of the National Yearling Sale in 2019 and that stood as the record until equalled tonight for a colt by Silvano’s son Vercingetorix.
Greg Bortz hugs Drakenstein owner Gaynor Rupert after equalling the South African record for a thoroughbred bought at auction.
Bortz’s latest Vercingetorix colt is out of the dual Gr 1-winning Captain Al mare Snowdance and was lot 85.
12 lots later a Vercingetorix filly from the same family went for R4.1 million sold to Darryl Yutar.
Klawervlei Stud as agent vendored this filly, who is out of Captain Al mare The Secret Is Out, who is a three parts sister to Snowdance.
The sensational Sale looks likely to smash South African records all around.
There were 29 seven figure lots on day 1 of the Sale.
All of the top five were by Vercingetorix and the superstar stallion had no fewer than 12 seven figure lots in all.
Reigning champion sire Gimmethegreenlight had nine seven figure lots.
Other sires to have seven figure lots were Querari x 3, Elusive Fort, Trippi, One World, Rafeef and Hawwaam.
Vercingetorix was duly leading stallion and his 21 lots sold for an aggregate of R35,850,000 with an average of R1,707,143.
The overall figures so far for the Sale are:
| CATALOGUED | 260 |
| OFFERED | 236 |
| SOLD | 133 |
| AGGREGATE | 101,850,000 |
| AVERAGE | 765,789 |
| MEDIAN | 500,000 |
The leading vendor is Klawervlei Stud as agent, whose 25 lots went for R23,450,000 for an average of R938,000.
Drakenstein had the highest average, R1,768,182 for 11 lots, and Drakenstein as agent averaged R1,408,333 for three lots.
The table below shows the leading vendors by average:
The leading buyer was Jonathan Snaith with an aggregate of R21.3 million for an average of R968,182.
Greg Bortz was second despite only buying two lots. His other purchase, a Klawervlei as agent Vercingetorix filly out of Gr 2-winning Kahal mare Intergalactic, cost R300,000.
Jonathan said, “Cape Racing Sales delivered a flawless auction, and the record-breaking results of this inaugural sale are not surprising.
We must all congratulate the breeders—the sales draft they presented was incredibly strong, and the consignors were rightfully rewarded. The quality of the breed and the way they were showcased to buyers is something they can be extremely proud of.
Cape Racing and Cape Racing Sales are producing an enjoyable racing product for owners and punters, which is a key ingredient in growing and promoting our wonderful sport. I hope these increased prices will enable breeders to reinvest and expand our horse population. Just a few years ago, the outlook for our sport was bleak. The results of this sale is the direct result of the vastly improved racing offering.
We should acknowledge Greg Bortz, Mary Slack, and Hollywoodbets, who help make the magic happen. Without their contributions to the sport, the landscape would be entirely different.
The owners are the lifeblood of the industry and they showed tremendous support for the breeders tonight.
Day 2 is sure to provide great value. There are also some intriguing syndicates available, which is an excellent way to participate in ownership at an affordable price.”
