elmer wrote: Went to have a look on Friday and saw a few nice horses but thought prices would be wrong for the better ones and bad for some that were ordinary in looks and pedigree
No pricelist posted on Tba site
Any comment from clanners who went to the sale?
I go to nearly all the local Cape sales for the following reasons :
a.) It's an outing and an opportunity to touch sides with racing people.
b.) I can drive home afterwards with a big smile and congratulate myself on ducking a cannonball; having not added to my long historical record of owning largely slow racehorses.
Val de Vie as an estate was impressive. And B-I-G; although it seemed more Paarl than Franschoek to me. Weather was bright and sunny and hot. My car was registering about 30 degrees when I arrived.
I thought the layout was a little too small. Bidders were crammed ( and I mean CRAMMED) into a small area and the auction ring was tiny. On a positive note the approach to the auction area allowed potential buyers a really good view of the horses awaiting their turn to be sold.
I didn't really study the catalogue but I felt that a good number of lots offered quite appealing potential and went for prices where you could truthfully say - There was something there for everyone. I almost 'fell in' and bought but happily was outbid.
Overall the sale reminded me of how sales used to be. Whether that is a good or bad thing I cannot say although I would be inclined to describe the mood as light and good humoured.
If the organisers were to re-visit the layout and tweak it slightly I think it could work well again in the future.
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