Records fell as the curtain came down on Day 1 of the 2025 CRS Premier Yearling Sale at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Thursday.
Bookmark The South African website for all the build-up to the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July.
On an evening to remember, Cape Racing chairman Greg Bortz signed the chart-topping chit at R9 million for lot 85, a high-spirited Vercingetorix colt out of the dual Grade 1 winning Captain Al mare Snowdance.
Consigned by Drakenstein Stud, Wreath Of Snow, a half-brother to both Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas star Snow Pilot and Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship third-placer Symphony In White, set a new record mark for a yearling sold at auction in the Cape, and equalled the tag paid by Mike de Kock for a Silvano colt at the 2019 Emperors Palace Bloodstock SA National Yearling Sale.
View ALL the Day 1 sales prices HERE
And the record numbers didn’t end there!
With 149 of the 164 lots catalogued on offer, a healthy clearance rate of 92% saw 137 yearlings find a new buyer, fuelling a Day 1 aggregate of R104 350 000, and a new SA thoroughbred auction record average price of R761 679 and a median of R500 000.
‘Amazing support’
“We are delighted. It started with an idea, a concept. We had a goal to establish the sale to eclipse all sales and the dream is taking shape! With the vendors coming to the party by showing amazing support and buy-in with high quality stock, coupled with a diverse local and international buying bench against the backdrop of a superb venue, this was a winner and the numbers don’t lie. We are already planning for 2026,” enthused Cape Racing’s Executive: Racing & Bloodstock, Justin Vermaak in a chat with the Sporting Post afterwards.
Vermaak lauded the ‘massive’ support of major players, including the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Hollywood Racing, Greg Bortz, Arun Chadha, Laurence Wernars, Form Bloodstock, Mike de Kock and Sean Tarry, amongst others.
“This was a partnership of quality stock, buying power and a belief in the future of racing in South Africa. We thought there would be a slow-burn amongst the breeders. Those that bought in were rewarded. Those that didn’t bring their best will no doubt have a rethink in advance of 2026. We are aiming higher after this flying start,” concluded Vermaak.
Traditionally held in the hustle and big-race bustle of January, and centred around the Cape Town Met, the improved Premier Sale concept gained momentum when it was decided to extend the Summer Festival Of Racing to mid March, and crown the celebration of five glorious months of high-quality turf action with a Cape Racing Festival Sales Day, dovetailed by the two-day Premier Sale.
Following subsequent buy-in by the Monaco Sport of Kings Group, the day has already evolved and charity will also benefit as the inaugural The Royal Raceday will be held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.
Session 2 on Friday, 14 March starts at 16:00.
The session will be streamed live via the Cape Racing Sales website.
You can also view the sale via GALLOP TV and the GALLOP YouTube channel.
Would you pay R9 million for a horse – even if you could afford it?
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