David Mollett
Princess Of Light's gallant second in Saturday's Ladbrokes Gold Cup lends further support to the view that the Emperors Palace National Two-Year-Old Sale represents the "best value for money" in the bloodstock calendar.
There are few better judges of horseflesh in this country than Geoff Woodruff and he shrewdly picked out the daughter of Var at the 2009 sale. A bid of R130000 was sufficient to secure her from vendors, Karl and Amanda de Vos.
Buyers will be searching for value purchases like this at this year's sale which will be held on the Friday (10 August) and Sunday (12 August) of next week.
"After the good demand at the Suncoast KZN Sale, we're upbeat trade will be good next week," said Bloodstock SA CEO, Tom Callaghan, yesterday.
"In the past, this sale has produced outstanding performers both locally and overseas. Irridescence immediately springs to mind, and it won't have escaped the attention of owners and trainers that other purchases at the Two-Year-Old Sale include Jackson, Tribal Dance, Eton Square and Katy's Lane," added Tom.
"There are a variety of pedigrees for buyers to choose from and they include a number of high profile stallions including Amadeus Wolf and Eclipse winner, Mount Nelson."
Here are a number of lots which could prove popular.
LOT 7: Sandown Stud offer a Dynasty colt who is a half-brother to the three-time winner, Carlito Brigante.
LOT 12: Miesque's Approval's progeny were popular at the KZN sale and here we have a half-brother to the three-time winner, Markofdistinction.
LOT 25: Maine Chance bring a strong draft of 17 two-year-old's and the catalogues should be waving for this colt by former Aidan O'Brien inmate, Mount Nelson, out of an Australian mare who is a half-sister to Hoofit.
LOT 60: A bit of Joe Cocker here!The Van Zyl camp are sure to run the rule over this well-named filly who is a half-sister to their recent Scottsville winner, Snappy Lad. He's expected to do well in the new season and this filly's dam has also produced the five-time winner, Nickelodeon.
LOT 61: Gold Site is a six-time winner and here's his half-sister (by Ashaawes) who has been consigned by Sandown Stud.
LOT 63: As Tom mentioned, here is a daughter of Amadeus Wolf (winner of the Gr 1 Middle Park Stakes) and Ascot Stud are the vendors. She was born in March 2010 so is six months older than most other horses on the sale.
LOT 68: Possibly the best-named horse on the sale - the dam is Pure Sands and she's called Messageinabottle. The colt is a half-brother to Pattaya Beach who used to carry Andre MacDonald's colours and who is still running well in Mauritius.
LOT 70: Super Trouper notched another win for the St John Gray stable last week and that was timely as Clifton Stud are offering his half-sister by Jam Alley.
LOT 95: Silvano's National Sales figures could probably have been better, but he continues to produce winners and his son, Seal, finished fourth in the Gold Cup. This two year-old is a half-sister to six-time wnner Cormorant Pass and three-time winner, Winter Blush.
LOT 114: Snow and Ice is the name of this two year-old who is the only Western Winter on the sale. The filly is the second produce of Garden Province Stakes winner, Soft Landing.
LOT 137: Milkwood Stud offer this Tiger Dance colt who is a half-brother to Sammy Jo whose six wins included the East Cape Oaks.
LOT 202: Here's a well-bred filly from Bush Hill Stud - she's the fourth produce of the well-performed mare, Arabian Flame, and she's a half-sister to Protea Stakes winner, Procurer.
LOT 240: Cholula racked up 11 wins in an outstanding career and it would be no surprise to see her produce a Gr 1 winner. This colt from Bosworth Farm Stud is by Kahal who has finished third in this season's leading sires table (by stakes).
LOT 246: Danika Stud are the agents for this Silvano filly who is a half-sister to the six-time winner, Geepee S.
LOT 247: Another of Silvano's progeny and this filly from Connemara Stud is likely to be pulled out of her box a few times as she's a half-sister to Gr 2 winner, State Factor.
LOT 265: This Spectrum colt consigned by David Hepburn-Brown's Hemel 'n Aarde Stud is a half-brother to the three-time winner, Demanding Lady.
LOT 334: Royal Air Force is a new stallion on the block (or should I say in the skies!) and the son of Jet Master stands at Sorrento Stud. This two year-old has been consigned by Maine Chance Farms and should sell well as he's a half-brother to SA Fillies Nursery winner, Hidden Beauty.
LOT 360: The mare Kentucky Lass has proved a moneyspinner for Bush Hill Stud and this Tiger Ridge filly is a half-sister to African Appeal and six-time winner, Mary Lou.
LOT 363: Another offering from Maine Chance with an outstanding pedigree. This Silvano filly is a half-sister to Historic Lady and nine-time winner, Badge Of Honour.
****************
They were singing national anthems from a multitude of countries at the Olympic Games last weekend, but surely the most popular refrain on the Highveld after the Gold Cup at Greyville was "Follow Molly and Fill Your Wally."
Yes, after his easy win in the Chairman's Cup over 3200m at Kenilworth in February, I pencilled in In Writing as a possible Gold Cup winner. When I was on the bones of my backside in 1998, Felix Coetzee came to my rescue on Bella Bianca so I owe another vote of thanks to the evergreen 53 year-old rider. His grin in the post-race interview matched any gold medallist at the Olympics.
The first call I received after In Writing's win came from my old pal, Bryan Lidgey, who said: "I suppose we're not going to hear the end of this for months!" That's probably true.
"Bloodshot Bruce" made the trip to Durban and was probably in need of a few vodka shots after the race. My advice before he caught his flight was this: "Steer clear in both the Gold Cup and Champions Cup of any horse which ran in the July - they could be over the top."
His reply: "But not Sage Throne - he's a certainty." Bruce - as well as a number of pundits - were left with the tickets.
For the record, a July runner who failed to justify heavy support in the Gold Cup included Vettel (a huge ask for a three year-old), while the disappointments in the Champions Cup included Pierre Jourdan, Chesalon (my tip for the July but ignored by me this time), Whiteline Fever, Gold Onyx and Castlethorpe.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Topic Author
)