In Business Today

Emperor’s Palace National Yearling Sale maintains exceptional highs

THE buoyant start to the 2008 Emperor's Palace National Yearling Sale at Gosforth Park on Friday, continued on Sunday when six yearlings were sold for R1 million or more and the aggregate reached R140.63 million, an increase of 25% on the corresponding figure of 2007.

An excited Jan Naude, CEO of BloodStock SA, predicted that if the trend continued on Monday the turnover could top an all-time high of R200 million. "Even if we drop from the present 25% to a 20% hike we will get close to this terrific figure.''

The interest from overseas buyers continued on Sunday. The sales-topper was Highlands Farm's Musk (Lot 179), knocked down to trainer Alban De Mieulle, who trains for the Prince Of Qatar. "I am thrilled with this purchase and we'll be back,'' said De Mieulle, who paid R1,6 million for this handsome bay colt by Spectrum.

Team Valor International's Barry Irwin secured Lot 254, Toujour's Aspen, by Fort Wood from Klawervlei Stud's imported mare Toujour's Elle, by Lyphard, for R1.5 million.

Dr James Hay, a big buyer during the Select Session, bought more foals for trainer Herman Brown, including Giant's Causeway's son Storm Boy (Lot 212), for R1,1 million.

Despite the strong international presence, the local buyers had plenty to choose from in the R100 000 - R500 000 bracket and there will be more purchases in this range when the last 250 lots come under the hammer at the Monday session, which starts at 11am.

Disclaimer: In Business Today disclaimerThe In Business Today section is reserved for relevant company announcements and releases. Companies are not entitled to have their announcements published in this section, but from time to time, these may be selected by Moneyweb for publication in the interest of the Moneyweb Community of readers. The copy has not been generated by Moneyweb nor should be attributed to Moneyweb. Nor has the information contained therein been verified by Moneyweb journalists. 29 January 2007