FUN ‘N GAMES AT BUOYANT NATIONALS

Candiese Lenferna

A vintage catalogue and some really lovely yearlings on show

The hammer came down on two days of enthusiastic bidding at the 2023 BSA National Yearling Sale at Gosforth Park on Saturday evening, with a twelve year high aggregate of R153 750 000, and a record average and median suggesting that, despite the challenges facing the industry and our broader economy, things are headed in the right direction.

It was Cape trainer Justin Snaith who confirmed the general sentiment that the 2023 catalogue of our major sale reflected a depth of quality across the board, and a strong middle market ensured that new highs were reached. And as auctioneer Graeme Hawkins pointed out, it was the buyers raving about the quality of the yearlings on show – not sales talk from the breeders or the sales company!

A total of 363 lots delivered an aggregate R153 750 000, with a record average of R444 364 and a median of R300 000. New Klawervlei stallion Kommetdieding’s full-sister Kommetjie Storm was sold by Oldlands to Kestorm Investments on Day 1 and remained the sale topseller at 3,2 million.

A filly described as the ‘perfect racehorse’ and a full sister to Durban July and Met winning people’s champion Kommetdieding topped the charts on Day 1 of the BSA National Yearling Sale on Friday when she was secured by Kestorm Investments for R3,2 million.

The only first day lot of the five-strong Oldlands Stud Nationals 2023 draft, Kommetjie Storm, a full-sister to one of our most exciting new stallions and a direct descendant of the great mare Queen Of Light, was the subject of spirited bidding before selling for R3,2 million. She is the highest priced Elusive Fort to sell at Nationals.

A delighted Prof Ian Sanne told the Sporting Post that the family’s Hermanusbased Oldlands Stud was marking their highest price at Nationals with the magnificent specimen. Their previous peak was R4 million for a VAR colt at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale in 2015. He said that there had been a massive amount of interest in Kommetjie

Storm, and that conformationwise, she was the ‘perfect racehorse’.

It certainly is a fairytale circle of life story for the Germanborn Barbara Sanne who established Oldlands Stud with a handful of mares as a hobby in 1968.

Ian continues with the story of the topseller:

“Oldlands bred her dam Adorable and we always wanted her after she raced. But could not afford her – that is until she came up on an online sale during COVID. Mom immediately decided to have her covered by Elusive Fort, after she saw Kommetdieding win his first race. By the time he had won the Durban July she was in foal, and when he won the Met the foal was at foot with her mother!

He said that they could not decide whether to keep Kommetjie Storm or offer her for sale.

“We wish the Kestorm folks all the best with their purchase, and will offer her a home at

Oldlands after racing!” said the delighted Prof Sanne, who added that the granddam Dacha (Russian Fox) was one of his Mom Barbara’s foundation mares.

“We thank Varsfontein for breeding Dacha. We are very proud and pleased. The sale certainly keeps Oldlands in business!” he added with a smile.

Overall, the top sire on aggregate was the massively popular Silvano son Vercingetorix, who 35 lots reached an aggregate of R29 900 000, with an average of 854 286.

Drakenstein was the leading vendor, selling 18 lots for an aggregate of R16 225 000 and an average of R901 389. Wilgerbosdrift was next with 21 lots fetching an aggregate of R15 825 000 for an average of R753 571.

Next up was Maine Chance Farms, whose 26 lots fetched R13 430 00 for an average of R516 538.

The top four buyers took home 76 lots between them, with Form Bloodstock leading the spree. Their 24 lots set them back R21 840 000 or an average of R910 000.

Veteran John Freeman signed for 23 lots at an aggregate of R18 900 000 for an average of R821 739.

Justin Vermaak, bought one smashing colt for the Hong Kong Jockey for R2,4 million, and the Vercingetorix son was included in his total trolley of 18 lots which cost R10 925 000 at an average of R606 944.

Cape Racing boss Greg Bortz showed his belief in an industry with a bright future, buying 11 lots for R7 575 000 at an average of R688 636.

A strong and resilient middle market also saw 347 horses of the 363 offered (38 lots being withdrawn) find new homes, with just 16 lots failing to reach their reserve prices. The outstanding clearance rate was a marked factor in both days and confirms the strength of the market.