David Mollett
9 July 2009
Johannesburg — BUYERS brave enough to invest in bloodstock at last week's Sibaya Yearling Sales in Durban managed to pick up the progeny of some top sires at bargain-basement prices.
The best example is former European champion sprinter Var, who stands at Avontuur Stud in the Cape. His progeny averaged R461000 at the Emperors Palace National Yearling Sales at Germiston in April, but his seven offspring averaged just R140000 at Sibaya.
While one must take into consideration that the pedigree of the dams may have been superior at the Nationals, those who acquired a Var colt or filly probably returned home more than satisfied.
The highest-priced Var was a colt consigned by Maine Chance Farms which attracted some spirited bidding before being knocked down for R220000. The youngster is a half-brother to Star Safari, who ran second in the SA Oaks.
On the final day of the sale, Middlefield Stud sold a daughter of Var to Gee Racing for R150000. The filly is the second produce of the three-time winner, Linsumi.
KwaZulu-Natal trainer Paul Lafferty bought 10 lots at Sibaya and they included a Var colt named Var Lightning for just R90000. If he possesses anywhere near the speed of his sire, this early foal from Boland Stud will have been a particularly shrewd purchase.
Jallad is another example of a stallion whose offspring looked cheap at Sibaya where he returned an average of R89000 for his six lots. At the Nationals, Jallad's average was more than double at R192000.
British-bred stallion Kahal had a R293000 average at the Nationals, but the eight offspring of a sire who has produced a number of top performers dropped to R70000 at Sibaya. One Kahal which had clearly caught the eye of buyers was a grey colt consigned by Backworth Stud. The youngster made R240000 to a bid from Intercontinental Bloodstock.
Mogok was represented by 14 yearlings at Sibaya and returned the respectable average of R54000. One of his sons, Ruling Monarch, will be in action in today's third race at the Vaal and can give the likely favourite, Stuntman, a run for his money.
Trainer Leon Erasmus brings Ruling Monarch back to the minimum trip, and he appeals as an attractive swinger bet with Stuntman. Although it has taken some time for Argentinian import Mon Oncle to show some ability, he turned in a promising effort when second at today's venue last month and can beat home luckless Hot Pepper in the jackpot's first leg.
Geoff Woodruff trains Mon Oncle and the champion trainer will be hoping Cradock can notch the third win of his career in the sixth race. A daughter of Jet Master, Cradock easily beat home Wood Manor over this course and distance in May and should again have the measure of Charles Laird's filly.
The right horse for the exacta with Cradock could be another of Mogok's progeny, Western Echo. The four-year-old looks certain to be competitive despite a wide draw.
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