Day 1 of the Emperors Palace National yearling sale in Johannesburg ended on a high, with the aggregate, average and median prices all up from last year.

Turnover on Friday jumped over R10 million to R55.32 million despite 20 fewer lots sold than last year.  The average price also showed a 39% increase to R303,956.

Markus Jooste’s Mayfair Speculators topped the session with a Dynasty colt that made R3.60 million.  It was the second-highest price in the sale’s history behind the R4 million spent on Divine Jet in 2010.

Dynasty was a South African Equus Horse Of The Year and is a son of Sadler’s Wells sire Fort Wood.  His G1 winners include Irish Flame, Ancestral Fore and Jackson.

Drakenstein Stud consigned his top-priced colt who is from G1 SA Fillies Sprint winner Wonderful World (Complete Warrior).  She has already foaled G3 Cape Classic winner Chave de Oura (Jet Master):

Mayfair Speculators also bought the top priced filly on Day 1, a daughter of Argentinian sire Easing Along (Storm Cat) for R900,000.

The sale, which runs across two days, is split by Saturday’s Champions Day at Turffontein.  “This was an exceptional sale and there was quality money for quality horses,” TBA CEO Tom Callaghan said.  “Buyers have become more discerning and thanks must go out to the breeders who have supported the sale so well.”

Day 2 on Sunday features Lots 281-357 and among them are the last yearlings by deceased champion sire Jet Master.

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