David Mollett
Bloodstock SA has had more marketing managers in recent years than Benni McCarthy has had fall-outs with Bafana Bafana so hopefully their latest appointment, Irishman Eamonn Cullen, will prove an exception to the rule.
Leading bloodstock consultant, Robin Bruss, knows Eamonn well and feels he will prove a big asset to our industry.
We seem to attract the Irish as - for those with long memories - will remember David Nagle did sterling work as an auctioneer here some two decades ago. David was battling to make ends meet in those days, but now is probably richer than most in the Emerald Isle.
The Grand National is not far off and Eamonn faces an early Bechers Brook with the Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale scheduled for 23-26 April.
Last Friday’s catalogue launch for the press was well attended - hardly surprising as one doesn’t turn down the excellent nosh on offer at Aurelia’s restaurant at Emperors.
It’s hard to concentrate fully on any subject when your fourth Don Pedro is being served up so I caught up with Eamonn yesterday and popped three questions regarding the forthcoming sale.
Question 1: “Is it a worry that SA’s two top trainers, Mike De Kock and Charles Laird, were shopping in Argentina and Australia respectively in January.
Eamonn’s reply: “I don’t think it’s a worry. Vincent O’Brien was one of the first in Ireland to go overseas and it had a positive effect on the outcome of the breeding industry. South African bred horses have been doing fantastic on the track - you only have to look at Imbongi and Mr Brock have achieved in Dubai and they are first and third in money earnings going into World Cup night. History has proven that expensive overseas horses that have raced in South Africa do not all turn out as champions.”
Question 2: “Bloodstock SA’s Cape Yearling turnover was slightly down. How do you view that result?”
Eamonn’s reply: “Any sale company in USA or Europe would have been delighted with the result and we were happy. The sale has always produced winners and we wish all our purchasers every success. Australasian sales are very strong at the moment, but I find it strange that the top buyer at Magic Millions was a South African as well as at the Melbourne sale which surely points to how strong our industry is.”
Question 3: “Do you think the aggregate will increase at the National Yearling Sale?”
Eamonn’s reply: “I left my crystal ball in Ireland so unfortunately it is a hard question to answer without it. The catalogue, we feel, has the horses to fill every order and our breeders have sent some exciting horses. Hopefully we will have a successful sale, but there are outside factors which affect sales over which we have no say like the global economy. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the sale.”
In terms of pre-sale advertising, Mike De Kock will surely be provided with free Moet throughout the three days after this recent statement. “Our horses are tough and sound and international buyers should be flocking to South Africa. Buyers are paying astronomical amounts for horses bred elsewhere who are not making the grade. If our breeders and owners stay realistic in their prices, the market will stay lively. I hope they keep their feet on the ground because the overseas buyers will keep coming back for good deals.”
What Mike is saying to breeders is this - put unrealistic reserves on your yearlings and you’ll be trucking them back home. I have long advocated that breeders need to be seriously penalised if they set the bar too high and this is something Bloodstock SA needs to get through to vendors.
There were, once again, too many lots either withdrawn or not sold at the Cape Yearling Sale. From a total of 250 yearlings catalogued, a staggering 87 (a third!) were either withdrawn or not sold.
Apart from Mike De Kock, there’s no better advert for Bloodstock SA than the recent racetrack successes of their graduates and recent headlinemakers have been Noordhoek Flyer and Bravura.
Noordhoek Flyer, the third highest priced yearling at the 2008 sale, suggested the R2,5 million outlaid on his purchase was money well spent when capturing the Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas. Some experts believe he could win this season’s Vodacom July.
Bravura is looking a real bargain at R400000 as he extended his unbeaten record to five under a “ride-of-the-season performance” (Markus Jooste’s post-race comment to me) in the Investec Derby.
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The flight is booked and the countdown for Cheltenham has begun. Not surprisingly, bookmakers Ladbrokes quote Ruby Walsh as favourite to be top jockey at the Festival, and the eyes of the world will be on him when he gets the leg up on Kauto Star in the Gold Cup a week on Friday.
Walsh has the advantage of riding for two top stables in Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins. Understandably, both yards are well represented in most of the feature races and he’ll have to choose between Tataniano (Nicholls) and Sports Line (Mullins) in the Arkle.
Walsh has already confirmed he will partner Blackstairmountain and Quel Espirit for Mullins in two of the hurdle events.
I’ll be crossing with info on Tellytrack from next Tuesday and hope to relieve the bookies of a few pounds!
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