The CTS Gold Rush R7,5 million Sales race to be run on WSB Met day next year is based on the concept of The Everest, the richest turf race in the world, and it is going to generate huge excitement and interest.
Instead of the normal concept of buying a horse with the hope of having a runner in a lucrative sales race, the buyers, known in this case as prospectors, pay for a slot in the CTS Gold Rush R7.5 million race.
The holders of a slot are allowed to choose which horse they want to fill that slot in the final field of 16.
However, supposing they do not own a horse good enough to be competitive, they are allowed to approach an owner who does have an eligible potential winner, but who does not hold a slot, and they can then negotiate a deal to enter the horse under a partnership.
Likewise, owners who have a good eligible horse but who do not hold a slot can approach the holder of a slot and negotiate a deal.
The concept would have been welcomed by the big spender.
There is never a guarantee that spending R400,000 on a horse at the yearling sales is going to bring a return or bring some fun.
However, buying a slot into the CTS Gold Rush guarantees a ticket and a lot of excitement and fun.
It might also put the “prospector’s” powers of horseracing analysis to the test as they try and identify an eligible potential winner.
At the De Grendel 2021 Cape Premier Yearling Sale (CPYS), 14 slots into the race were sold at R400,000 each.
Two slots were reserved for “buy ins” at R600,000 each.
All 14 of the slots were accounted for at the 2021 CPYS through an application process followed by a lucky draw.
One of the buy-ins has since been purchased.
The one remaining slot will be made for sale at a date to be announced in due course.
The 16 horses will race for prize money broken down as such:
1st place R5 million.
2nd place R1 million
3rd place R600,000
4th place R500,000
5th place R400,000
Furthermore there will be a Grooms bonus.
The groom of the winner of the Gold Rush will receive a R50,000 Gold Rush bonus.
The remaining 15 grooms of the accepted horses which take part in the Gold Rush will each receive a R10,000 Gold Rush bonus.
The race will be run over 1600m.
It will only be open to graduates of the 2021 Cape Premier Yearling Sale.
It will be run under weight for age conditions and there will be no allowances for apprentice riders.
The field will be limited to 16 starters with up to six emergency acceptors, to be determined by the Gold Rush committee at final acceptance time.
A Gold Rush committee has been formed and comproses:
Jacques Chowles as representative of CTS;
Hein Hattingh (In2Assets);
Pippa Mickelburgh (Avontuur Thoroughred Farms manager);
Ken Nicol (former handicapper and former Turf Talk editor);
Donovan Everitt (Cape Racing).
The owners of the horses will have to submit details of any partnership agreement under which they will race.
The committee will be able to answer questions for any prospectors or potential prospectors.
Picture Credit: CTS
