OFF THE RECORD #132

Breeders Invest In The Future

This month, South Africa’s thoroughbred breeding industry is demonstrating its confidence in the future. The landmark transition at Klawervlei, stallion days at Drakenstein Stud and Heversham Park, and a strong catalogue for Bloodstock South Africa’s August Two-Year-Old Sale all point to an industry looking ahead with purpose.

Former champion breeders Klawervlei Stud will hold a dispersal sale of their bloodstock and stallion shares on Monday, 10 August, bringing the curtain down on more than four decades of stewardship by the Koster family.

Yet while one of South African breeding’s great chapters draws to a close, the celebrated Bonnievale farm is already being reimagined under the ownership of Laurence Wernars, with an ambitious vision for the future. John Koster will be remaining closely involved in the farm’s operations.

Wernars’ bloodstock adviser, Justin Vermaak, recently outlined their vision, describing plans to establish Klawervlei as an internationally focused breeding enterprise modelled on leading Australian operations such as Newgate Farm and Arrowfield Stud. The goal is a diverse and competitive stallion roster, a boutique broodmare band and a nursery producing yearlings of genuine international quality.

Vermaak said: “The aim is to create a conveyor belt of quality horses each year, exporting the very best to Dubai, the United States and Hong Kong, while ensuring there is sufficient horsepower to remain highly competitive on the local racing scene. We also intend partnering with owner-breeders by offering boarding facilities and a comprehensive farm management service.”

Proceedings at Klawervlei will get underway at the farm with viewing sessions between 9am and 4pm this weekend, followed by the sale on Monday, starting with bidding on exclusive stallion shares, including eight shares in much sought-after champion sire Vercingetorix.

Grant Knowles, who is assisting auctioneers Andrew Miller and Tom Hodgson, said “Vercingetorix’s limited availability is a constant talking point in breeding circles because demand consistently outstrips supply. This is a rare opportunity to secure what is effectively a blue-chip investment.”

The stallion shares will be followed by a distinguished band of 89 broodmares representing some of the most accomplished families in the South African Stud Book, including daughters of the farm’s foundation mares.

The sale concludes with a select offering of recently turned yearlings, presenting buyers with another chance to secure future racetrack and breeding prospects.

Knowles said: “The bidding will be competitive, but there is always value to be found. Every year a few quality lots are overlooked, and Kommetdieding, bought here for just R55,000, is proof of that.”

In the days of the old Klawervlei Farm Sale, clients were flown in from around the country for a midweek mini-break complete with guesthouse accommodation, a golf day, Mercedes-Benz shuttles and a legendary after-party, all billed to the late Markus Jooste.

A great deal has changed since the last farm sale in 2020. While the renowned Klawervlei hospitality won’t quite extend to personal butlers at Monday’s one-day event, Knowles promises that the post-sale ‘Opskop’ will more than live up to its reputation.

“We’ll have all on the house and some live music with a Neil Diamond tribute. The sale is open to all, but I don’t think people who drive all the way to Robertson will be coming to listen to music. The serious buyers will be there,” Knowles said.

Drakenstein Stud will be hosting its stallion Day on Thursday, 13 August, showcasing its formidable stallion barn comprising Charles Dickens, Jet Dark, One World, What A Winter, A Case Of You, Oriental Charm, Futura and Sharp Frank, and introducing Grade 1 Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot, who will be covering mares in his first season.

Snow Pilot is a son of Lancaster Bomber, who remarkably sired 11 other stakes winners whilst standing at Drakenstein, including Eight On Eighteen, Beach Bomb and Rascova, before his untimely death at seven years of age.

This invitation-only event is reserved for shareholders, trainers, regular Drakenstein clients and breeders who support the Franschhoek farm. Guests will have the opportunity to view the stud’s outstanding stallion roster, as well as the latest foals from its exceptional broodmare band.

Advocate Nigel Riley will host Heversham Park farm’s Stallion Day on Saturday, 15 August, a date deliberately chosen because there is no racing in Gauteng. Riley is expecting close to 100 guests and promises a memorable afternoon featuring a spit braai, live entertainment and a novel racing quiz presented by Neil Andrews.

The South Gauteng Farm has come a long way in upgrading its facilities and broodmares. First-time visitors are likely to be surprised by the tranquil beauty of this horse haven, situated just 30km from Johannesburg.

Heversham stands first-season stallions Gustav Klimt, a Ballydoyle Group winner by Galileo, Morpheus (Oasis Dream), a half-brother to Frankel, and Willow Magic’s flashy son, MK’s Pride. The older stalwarts on the farm are Dynasty’s son Jackson, Moofeed, by Duke Of Marmalade and the evergreen Pomodoro, by Jet Master.

Gustav Klimt’s first son arrived on the farm earlier this week, born from the mare Patches Of Grey, by Heavenly Blue.

The festivities reach their climax with the 2026 Bloodstock South Africa August Two-Year-Old Sale, scheduled for Thursday 20 and Friday 21 August. The catalogue features more than 320 two-year-olds from 38 leading stud farms, reflecting Bloodstock SA’s motto: ‘A horse for everyone.’

Michael Holmes, CEO of Bloodstock SA, said: “We have a strong catalogue with plenty of variety, and this year’s sale comes on the back of Race Coast’s announcement that it will not revert to ‘out-of-season’ stakes once the major races shift to Gauteng and the Western Cape. That’s a very encouraging development and exactly the kind of decision that inspires buyer confidence.”

Photographs of the respective lots are currently being uploaded to the BSA website, with an early look revealing several eye-catching prospects, including Lot 130, a full-sister to Equus Award nominee Princess Of Arvernia from Millstream Farm. Go to www.bsa.co.za to see the catalogue, online.