Appeal
Durban — The love for horse racing is growing, and so is the appeal to own horses.
Potential buyers gathered in the hope to get the best horses at the KZN yearling sale held on Thursday where thoroughbred horses were being auctioned by Bloodstock South Africa.
Romi Bettison, the marketing and yard manager of Bloodstock South Africa, said thoroughbred horses were being auctioned for racing and breeding purposes.
“Most of the horses that are sold are only one or two years old and haven’t been ridden yet. We also have monthly online auctions where all ages of horses are sold, including horses in training, mares and foals.”
Thursday’s sale had a higher turnout than last year, with the most expensive horse being sold.
“We had an amazing, expansive buyer base at the sale, with the most expensive lot selling to a local KZN long-standing owner, Mrs M Liley, for R1.9 million. This was lot 72, who was bred at Klawervlei Stud (based in the Cape), as agent for a private owner,” she said.
Bettison said the sport has always held a place in the heart of South Africans and with the Hollywoodbets Durban July, the ambition of owning a racehorse is growing and accessibility to do so has become that much easier.
“Once you take a bite out of the horse racing game, I think it is definitely something that people become more passionate about.
“As syndications develop and it becomes more affordable to the average person to own a horse, it is very much increasing in popularity. Syndicates offer the opportunity to own a percentage of a horse, rather than having to incur 100% of the costs.”
When it comes to the auction, prospective buyers get to view the horses before the bidding begins.
“For the live auctions, the horses will arrive at the venue up to 10 days before the auction so people have the opportunity to go and view all the horses that are available. For the online auctions, potential buyers will need to arrange with the vendor directly about viewing their horses at the respective locations.
“At the live auctions, people may view the horses at the location of the auction. In Durban we have been based at Suncoast Casino, in Johannesburg we are based at the TBA Complex near Germiston and in Cape Town at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse.”
She said most of the horses are bought for racing rather than recreational use.
“These thoroughbreds are bought predominantly for horse racing and further on in their careers the fillies are bought for breeding purposes,” said Bettison.
Although there may be a couple of people who will buy horses for polo, dressage, show jumping or eventing. The latter needs are satisfied via our competitive online auctions.
“The majority of thoroughbreds will only be used for recreational use after they have finished their racing careers,” said Bettison.
Another top-priced colt of the sale, Lot 103, Lord Wimborne, was sold to Vuyo, bred and consigned by Clifton Stud.
The colt is a half brother to HDJ 2024 favoured Flag Man, whose half brother ran in the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday. He sold for R900 000.
Sunday Tribune