Sean Tarry and Brett Crawford have won three of the last four running of the R2.5-million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes between them, so it was no surprise to see the two top trainers on the prowl and sharing a table as they watched the pre-CTS RTR Sale gallops at Durbanville on Thursday morning.

Sean Tarry

The auction got under way on Friday evening in front of a packed sales tent and what was to end up the sale-topper came up in the opening 15 minutes, as Lot 5 was knocked down for R1.1 million.

The first produce of multiple Grade 1 winner All Is Secret was always going to command plenty of attention. And so it proved, as her Dynasty colt was snapped up by Alesh Naidoo.

Bass Racing were the leading buyers, splashing out a smidgeon under R2.5-million on their five purchases. Priciest of those was a Dynasty half-brother to Sergeant Hardy, which fetched R750,000.

Justin Snaith has purchased standouts like Sergeant Hardy, Bishops Bounty and Cap Alright at this sale in past years. He said this sale was “like buying a car but first looking at the engine. It also comes a bit later, so you have a better idea how the stallions are doing.”

Most trainers agreed the sale was “strong”, reflected in an average price of R236,279 for the 129 lots sold, and an aggregate spend of R30,480,000.

Bloodstock South Africa also held a mixed sale in Johannesburg this week. A more compact affair saw just 25 lots under the hammer, with an average of just over R50,000.

The sales topper was the currently Mike de Kock-trained gelding Mutawaary, who was sold to Manie Pillay for R220,000.

    –    tabnews.co.za