The Yearling Pickers Convention
By Robyn Louw
The topography of our local sales scene has changed rather dramatically in the last couple of years, but as they say, a change is as good as a holiday and the arrival of the Cape Thoroughbred Sales Group has certainly shaken and stirred things up in the Western Cape.
However, there is nothing like a bit of competition to create some healthy innovation and out of the box thinking and the TBA are certainly rising to the challenge.
All Change
Newly appointed marketing manager Tom Callaghan has been making waves since his recent appointment. He took the rather unorthodox step of wading into the African Betting Clan forum to get advice from the proverbial horse’s mouth and asking the local fraternity what they want. While not all the suggestions and requests have been able to be accommodated, the TBA has at least shown a refreshing openness and willingness to listen to their clients. The website is a bit more exciting, there is a rather snazzy iPad app for the electronically savvy (which my techie husband pronounces as ‘very bloody good’), a competition for 2 lucky buyers to win a luxury weekend break at Royal Chundu Lodge on the Zambezi and a very visible print marketing campaign with the bright and cheery ‘Proud of Our Reputation. Proud of Our Graduates.’ slogan being splashed vigorously across local press publications. And rightly so as NYS graduates regularly claim the top spots in South Africa’s most prestigious races.
Hive of Activity
In the best tradition of the shoemaker’s elves, there has been a hive of activity behind the scenes. Local transporters have been rushed off their feet, driving through the night to ensure that horses, grooms, and general sales paraphernalia have been arriving from all corners of the country since last week. The sales centre is a buzz of energy and activity with the final spit and polish being applied for this week’s viewings.
Whilst it is a more compact sale this year, CEO Jan Naude says that there has been no compromise on quality and the high standard that has always been associated with our National sale is as much in evidence as ever. We have 17 representatives from the late, great Jet Master, 21 from Champion Sire in Waiting, Captain Al, no less than 30 Silvanos, 8 Western Winters and if you have a need for speed, there are 22 Trippi’s and 21 Vars catalogued. There is also a host of exciting international bloodlines on offer, including Dylan Thomas and Rock of Gibraltar, plus a solid representation from local freshman stallions including Rebel King, A.P. Arrow, Argonaut, Jay Peg, to name but a few. There are as many sires, damlines and mythical nicks as there are old wives’ tales and luck will play as much a part as any, but whether you are looking for a classic, want to speculate on something new and exciting, or are looking for something altogether more exotic, there is something to suit every taste.
Facelift
Jan Naude tells me that the sales complex has had ‘a lick of paint’, but it sounds as though he is being modest as everyone who has visited the complex so far tells me it is looking fantastic. The TBA museum is equally impressive with a host of artefacts from the past on show alongside an interesting and absorbing chronicle of South African racing and breeding.
With the addition of our current Media Equus award-winner Aidan Lithgow showcasing his fabulous Legends series for the duration of the sales, there is very much an emphasis on the illustrious history and heritage of our local horse racing industry. If it is not too cheeky to borrow the Highlands slogan – ‘our best adverts aren’t written, they are running’ the number of South African horses making waves on the international stage against some pretty high odds, is proof positive that our home growns are some of the toughest and most desirable horses in the world. Truly something to be proudly South African about.
Have You Made Your Selection?
The great fun and mystery about horses is that everyone is looking for something different and everyone sees something different in each individual. Our stud farms have offered the cream of their crop, our inspectors have offered their opinions, now it is up to you.
May I wish all our vendors a successful sale and all our buyers a winner !
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