Breeding & Racing Magazine

South Africa Yearlings: Average Down 20.6%

The Emperors Palace concluded overnight with a final aggregate of R152.12 million (A$23.048m) which was 24% down on the 2008 figure of R201.05 million (A$30.462m). Australian buyer Paul Guy commented: "In the current economic climate, the South African National Yearling Sale is without a doubt the best performing thoroughbred sale in the world." Team Valor International's Barry Irwin (on his 5th successive visit) bought 8 lots & summed up: "The value here is superb, it is a joy to come to this sale & I'll be booking for next year." The leading buyer was trainer Mike Azzie (representing Prancing Horse Stud) who bought 14 yearlings for R9.455 million (A$1.432m). Champion stallion Jet Master topped the sires list with 47 progeny sold for R19.81 million (A$3.001m) at an average R421,489 (A$63,800). Bloodstock South Africa chief executive Jan Naude said he was "most pleased with the results as they are significantly better than figures posted at thoroughbred auctions around the globe since the start of the real economic meltdown. The pass-out rate of 89% is much better than corresponding rates at other recent sales worldwide, while the average of R310,449 (A$47,000) is only 20.6% down on last year's record average of  R391,000 (A$59,200)."