The increased foreign involvement — notably by the Hong Kong Jockey Club — is what pleased Cape Thoroughbred Sales top brass at the Premier Yearling Sale in Cape Town. While the average dipped to R508,000 from R699,000 in 2017, the choice lots were in demand and 28 yearlings were sold for R1m or more. The Hong Kong Jockey Club spent R6.1m on four lots to finish in third place on the buyers’ list behind John Freeman (R14.1m) and former South African and now Singapore trainer Pat Shaw. In the final session, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s major purchase was a Captain Al colt from Klawervlei (as agent), which it bought for R1.8m. Freeman was the leading buyer, signing for 11 yearlings for an average of R1.28m each. His second-day purchases included the first foal of champion race mare Beach Beauty — a colt by Trippi from Drakenstein Stud — which he secured for R2.5m. Perhaps — apart from the Hong Kong Jockey Club — the surprise package among the buyers was Shaw, whose major achievement her...
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