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Lot 72, Lovecomesknocking, by Gimmethegreenlight out of Eros’s Girl by Captain Al sells for R1,9-million to KZN’s racing stalwart Mrs Mary Liley, consigned by Klawervlei Stud as agent. This is the family of Captains Lover, Vardy, Universal and Ebony Flyer.
Images: Candiese Lenferna

Records fell at Thursday’s KZN Yearling Sale, where high prices and a strong middle market prevailed. The sale’s top lot, the Gimmethegreenlight filly Lovecomesknocking (Lot 72), was knocked down to Mary Liley for R1 900 000.

Consigned to the sale by Klawervlei Stud (Pty) Ltd (Agent), the blue blooded filly, whose full-sister Lovegrass recently won for a second time in four starts, is out of Listed East Cape Oaks winner Eros’s Girl (Captain Al), a three-parts sister to Equus Champion Captain’s Lover (Captain Al), and half-sister to the Gimmethegreenlight sired G3 Politician Stakes winner and G1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Deby runner up Universal, and to Equus Champion Vardy.

Clifton Stud had some wonderful results at the KZN Sale this year, and they consigned the second top lot sold at the 2024 KZN Yearling Sale. Lord Wimborne (Lot 103), a Canford Cliffs half-brother to recent G1 Daily News 2000 runner up Flag Man, was knocked down to Vuyo for R900 000. Lord Wimborne, a half-brother to four winners aside from Flag Man, is out of the winning Mark Of Esteem mare Irresistible Chris, a half-sister to not only July winning champion Eyeofthetiger (Royal Academy) but also G3 The Debutante winner Best Chris (Trempolino).

An active buying bench and keen market saw prices and statistics rise across the board. Not only was the top lot a record price sold at the KZN Yearling, but the aggregate and average price both rose significantly. The sale’s aggregate rose handsomely from R27.1 million to an impressive R39 075 000, with the average price rising from R184 354 to R214 698.  Median price from R140 000 to R150 000, while the top price jumped considerably from R750 000 last year to R1 900 000 in 2024.

The sale’s top vendor was Klawervlei Stud (Pty) Ltd (Agent) who sold all ten lots for an aggregate of R5.85 million. Top buyers at the 2024 KZN Yearling Sale was Pound Bloodstock who purchased 15 yearlings for R3 515 000. The Klawervlei Stud bred One World led the Sires standings at the auction, with the champion son of One World having all 12 of his yearlings on offer gross R4 115 000 and average R342 917.

A full list of prices and statistics for the 2024 KZN Yearling Sale can be viewed online at www.bsa.co.za