The South African Ready to Run Sale at Germiston proved a tremendous success on the weekend with the average rising 30% to R229 822.

The sales topper was a Tale of the Cat colt that made R2 million to the bid of Adriaan van Vuuren.  Consigned by Summerhill Stud, the colt is out of a mare by leading sire and broodmare sire Quiet American.  It’s the family of legendary champion Dancing Brave.

Van Vuuren also purchased the sale’s top priced filly, a Jet Master sister to top-class performers Lizarre and Lake Arthur for R1.5 million.  She was also consigned by Summerhill.

A Var colt catalogued by Balmoral Stud was knocked down for R1.6 million to leading Gauteng based trainer Charles Laird.  He is out of Rollicking Romp and numbers stakes winner Jet Jamboree as a half-brother.  Var is the sire of Horse of the Year Variety Club and his Ready to Run colt was sold as agent for successful USA operation West Point Thoroughbreds.

A magnificent looking son of former Kentucky sire Trippi was knocked down for R1.10 million.  He is out of a winning daughter of Sportsworld and is a brother to useful filly Yellow Card.

Australian champion Fastnet Rock sired a Ready To Run star when his colt from Reem Albaraari (Sadler’s Wells) made R1.00 million.  The youngster had put up an eye-catching gallop last month and had attracted plenty of pre-sale attention from many knowledgeable judges.

Bought Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe from Summerhill Stud, the bay is a half-brother to G1 Derby Italiano winner Morshdi.

Balmoral Stud sold a Jet Master colt on behalf of Cheveley Stud for an even R1.00 million.  He is a half-brother to G1 Clairwood Champions Cup winner Ivory Trail and was sold to leading trainer Sean Tarry.

Summerhill Stud’s Mick Goss was euphoric after the sale.  “I haven’t experienced such a tremendous buzz around a sales ring for many a year,” he said.  “It’s a wonderful tribute to the toughness of South Africans, determined to overcome the gloomy current economy, and to support the escapism provided by the racing industry.”

Currency converter:  Rand 1,000 = AUD 110