Great season for TBA graduates
T
he 2010—2011 South African racing season proved a highly successful one for Bloodstock SA graduates. Highlighted by the exploits of Horse of the Year, Igugu (a R1 million purchase at the 2009 Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Sale), TBA grads were to the fore in many of the country’s top races. No fewer than six former TBA graduates were named Equus Champions during the season past, namely, Igugu (Horse of the Year), The Apache (Champion 3yo colt), Aslan (Champion Stayer), Princess Victoria (Champion 2YO filly), Val de Ra (Champion Sprinter) and Past Master (Champion Older Male). Igugu, who was named Horse of the Year for the 2010—2011 season, was a graduate of the 2009 Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Sale. Of the G1 races won during the season just past, no fewer than 17 were won by horses to have come off a TBA sale.
TBA grads winning a G1 race or more Aslan Ebony Flyer
SA Classic
Happy Landing
President’s Challenge
Mother Russia Past Master Potala Palace Princess Victoria Seal Top Seller The Apache Val de Ra TBA ::: September 2011
Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas
English Garden Igugu
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Canon Gold Cup
Vodacom July, SA Fillies Classic, Woolavington Stakes L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate J&B Met Premier’s Champion Stakes Golden Slipper, Allan Robertson Fillies Championship SA Derby Investec Cape Derby Daily News 2000, Champions Cup Computaform Sprint, SA Fillies Sprint
Alastair Pim – auctioneering sensation
A
lastair Pim is the latest addition to the TBA’s auctioneering panel. The Irishman has many years of experience in the world of thoroughbred sales, and brings with him a wealth of enthusiasm and understanding of the world of racing and breeding. Alastair was born into a family with strong ties to the thoroughbred industry. His father, David Pim, was himself a world class auctioneer, who spent time at the TBA where he conducted bloodstock auctions alongside David Nagle. David Pim, who passed away last year, was a well known auctioneer at Tattersalls. His son has very similar selling technique, and the pair have been described as “two peas in a pod” (in reference to their performances in the sales ring.) Pim purchased the Anngrove Stud in the 1970’s, and purchased the stallion Lucifer to stand there. Lucifer was a well bred horse, being a son of champion US 2YO Crimson Satan (damsire of Storm Cat), and was a half—brother to the smart performer Jolly Jet. With the Pims long interested in National Hunt racing, it was into that sphere that Lucifer eventually fell. Today, Anngrove Stud is home to three stallions, one of whom is world champion racehorse Pilsudski. Alastair describes the latter as a”grand horse, a real stamp of a horse.”, but is quick to admit that the horse has failed to live up to expectations as a stallion. Alastair rode ponies as he grew up, and, before he grew too tall, decided to apply for his jockey licence. Unfor-
tunately, he shot up before he could ever take part in a race, but whilst he was waiting, Alastair rode work for the great Irish trainer, Paddy Mullins. After he graduated, Pim gained an agricultural degree, before being given a job on one of Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum’s first farms, Woodpark Stud. There he broke in a number of the Sheikh’s yearlings, including eventual Champion Hurdle winner, Kribensis. Alastair then completed the six month course offered by the Irish National Stud aimed at furthering the aims of students in the thoroughbred industry. Pim then decided to chance his hand overseas. He spent a season in North America, where he worked on several farms for a stud season (he worked at the famed Lane’s End Farm where he was involved in prepping horses for the sales ring). Wanting more overseas experience, Alastair went to Australia, where he spent nine months in Queensland, at the Lyndhurst Stud. Alastair, to date, has sold two Epsom Derby winners, in Sir Percy and Motivator, respectively, but is quick to admit that,” Selling a horse for more than what it looked like going for, is what I really enjoy. Then I really feel like I am doing my job properly.” Married to Gillian, Alastair’s whole family are involved with horses. His children are also very keen on horses, and son Josh is proving a highly talented three day eventer.
September 2011 ::: TBA
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Nocturnal Affair scores game win one of Britain’s oldest races
T
he South African bred gelding, Nocturnal Affair, landed a brave win in the Ladbrokes Portland Handicap on Saturday. The 5yo Nocturnal Affair was making his British debut in the Portland, one of Britain’s biggest sprint handicaps, and a race first run in 1785! Nocturnal Affair was coming into the race off a second place finish in Ireland recently. Given a strong ride by Neil Callan, Nocturnal Affair just got up to win in a thrilling finish from Confessional. Winning trainer, David Marnane, who has now been victorious in this race in two of the past three years. Nocturnal Affair was quietly fancied for the big race, which was run over 1140m. Jockey Callan was impressed by Nocturnal Affair, commenting after the race,” I think he’s quite a good horse because he was on his nose in the gate, but he still cruised through and won.” Nocturnal Affair is likely to be aimed at the Dubai Carnival next year.
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TBA ::: September 2011
Bred by the Sorrento Stud, Nocturnal Affair was sold at the 2008 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale for R200 000. He won both the G3 Byerley Turk Plate and G3 Betting World Nursery in South Africa, prior to being exported to Dubai. Nocturnal Affair is a son of the ill—fated champion Victory Moon, while his dam is the Centenary matron Aretha. Cape Premier Yearling Sale for Val de Vie Bloodstock SA are pleased to announce that the 2012 Cape Premier Yearling Sale will be held at world—famous Val de Vie wine estate. The Cape Premier Sale will be held from the 2nd to the 4th of March at this beautiful estate. Val de Vie is just outside of Paarl, and is situated very close to Franschoek. TBA Chairman, Ian Robertson, said,” Val de Vie is eminently suitable as a venue for yearlings, and BSA looks forward to working with the experienced and talented events team at Val de Vie.”
Revised Sales dates
The TBA would like to advise patrons of the revised sales dates for 2012
2—4th March 2012 Cape Premier Yearling Sale
5—6 July 2012 KZN Yearling Sale
27—29th April 2012 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale
11 July 2012 KZN Mare/Weanling/HIT/Fillies Sale
24 May 2012 Cape Mare & Weanling Sale
10—12 August 2012 Emperors Palace National 2YO Sale
04 November 2012 Emperors Palace Ready-to-Run Sale
September 2011 ::: TBA
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stats ::. Leading sires by stakes 1 Jet Master
R812 210
2 Kahal
R735 250
3 Fort Wood
R705 685
4 Captain Al
R681 480
5 Silvano
R597 620
6 Western Winter
R587 495
7 Casey Tibbs
R541 330
8 Dynasty
R423 460
9 Mogok
R403 500
10 The Sheik
R392 600
Leading Breeders by stakes 1 Summerhill Stud
R824 450
2 Klawervlei Stud
R767 595
3 Highlands Farm
R723 485
4 Bush Hill Stud
R530 095
5 Maine Chance Farms
R484 475
6 Ascot Stud
R435 935
7 Scott Bros
R410 075
8 D Cohen & Sons
R391 335
9 Varsfontein Stud
R376 518
10 Daytona Stud
R360 755
Leading trainers by stakes
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1 JS Snaith
R839 200
2 SP Miller
R780 525
3 SG Tarry
R665 700
4 GS Kotzen
R636Â 665
5 MW Bass
R602 720
6 LJ Erasmus
R541 975
7 J Ramsden
R539 750
8 AC Greeff
R442 450
9 AG Laird
R438 650
10 GD Smith
R437 850
TBA ::: September 2011
SA Winners Overseas United Kingdom
Nocturnal Affair Ladbrokes Portland Handicap 5 g Victory Moon - Aretha Bred by Sorrento Stud 10 September Emperors Palace Ready-to-Run Sale
September 2011 ::: TBA
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