There was plenty of positive discussion in the days leading up to the 2023 National Yearling Sale around the prospects of the beautifully bred Kommetjie Storm (Lot 161), and the talk proved spot-on with that Oldlands Stud consigned filly making R3 200 000 to top the first day of this year's National Sale.
A full-sister to G1 Vodacom Durban July/G1 World Sports Betting Cape Town winner Kommetdieding, now standing at Klawervlei Stud, Kommetjie Storm was eventually knocked down to Kestorm Investments, with the filly having attracted plenty of bidding interest while in the ring.
A daughter of Elusive Fort, and Listed Gardenia Handicap runner up Adorable (also bred by Oldlands), Kommetjie Storm is out of a daughter of Captain Al from the immediate family of the Captain Al sired triple G1 winner Captain America and she already packs plenty of paddock value.
The Hong Jockey Club purchased the top priced colt at Friday's sale, going to R2.4 million to acquire the unnamed Vercingetorix colt (Lot 158) consigned to the sale by Boland Stud, As Agent. Out of the smart G3 Champagne Stakes third place getter Acaciawood (sired, like Adorable, by Captain Al), the striking half-brother to the useful Run As One hails from a high class family with his relatives including graded stakes winners Hundred Acre Wood, Syon and Tippuana Moon as well as Vercingetorix's very smart daughter Wisteria Walk.
Maine Chance Farms' outstanding sire, and former National Yearling Sale buy, Vercingetorix had an outstanding day on Friday, with the champion son of Silvano responsible for six of the top lots sold on Friday. No fewer than eight yearlings sired by the former G1 Jebel Hatta winner and Equus champion fetched R1 000 000 or more, while confirming Vercingetorix's status as one of the most popular stallions currently at stud in South Africa.
An exceptional catalogue resulted in no fewer than 15 yearlings fetching a million rand or more on Friday, and hopes are high that the trend continues on Saturday.
The second and final day of this year's National Sale gets underway at 10:00 Am sharp this morning, with a full list of prices available for viewing online at www.bsa.co.za