Leading owner Markus Jooste topped the South African Emperors Palace Sale on Saturday evening with a yearling by Champion Vinery sire More Than Ready.
Jooste paid ZAR 2 million (AUD 212,390) for the colt who has already been named Umthakathi which is Zulu for Sorcerer. He was initially purchased as a foal by Hassen Adams for $60,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions National Sale.
“I want to bring some new blood into South Africa,” Adams explained. “The aim is to keep some to race myself – but if I get a good price – I sell.”
Adams is a big fan of More Than Ready and his latest sale-topper is from Gina Lollawitcha (Perugino) who was a Caulfield stakes winner for trainer Clinton McDonald.
Owned in a partnership, he was consigned by Summerhill Stud. “He is a great mover and looks like he will be an early horse,” Jooste’s racing manager Derek Brugman commented. “He could be a really nice horse for the Million Dollar races.”
Adams raced More Than Ready’s South African star Gimmethegreenlight to a Group 1 victory in the Queen’s Plate in Cape Town. He was sold by Vinery as a foal for $155,000 at 2009 Magic Millions National Sale.
Now based at Varsfontein Stud, Gimmethegreenlight’s first-crop yearlings were also popular the Emperors Palace Sale making up to ZAR 400,000. Top price was paid for a filly from Australian bred mare Hill Of Fire (Danehill Dancer) who won the LR East Cape Paddock Stakes at Fairview.
