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Leading South African trainer, Candice Bass-Robinson was one of the top purchasers at the recent BSA National Yearling Sales.
Bass-Robinson is one of the world’s leading women trainers, ranked alongside the likes of greats such as Gai Water-House, Pia Brandt, Jessica Harrington. Bass-Robinson created history when she became the first female trainer to win South Africa’s biggest race when Marinaresco took out the Gr.1 Durban July (2017).
Ten Furlongs chats to Bass-Robinson about their purchases and their thoroughbred buying journey with all the COVID19 restrictions, her favourite horses, and much more:
Q: You were one of the top buyers (in both quality and quantity) at the BSA National Yearling Sale. Could tell us more about your plans for your high-value purchases outlined below:
A: We bought some smart horses. Due to COVID, they have all come directly into the yard to break in as the sale was delayed.
Ovation is a well-bred colt and we know the family well particularly Tevez whom we trained to 5 feature wins.
Costa Smeralda is also very close to our heart as she is a half-sister sister to (Group One winner) Marinaresco (By Flower Alley) who I won the Group One Durban July within my first year of training.
I am also happy to have my first Futura colt (Grayswood Pink). The stallion has got off to a flying start. We bought her on spec, and we are still putting her together (Australian buyers are most welcome :)
(Bass Racing purchases included: 1) Electric Warrior for SAR 700,000, 2) Ovation for SAR 700,000, 3) Costa Smeralda for SAR 400,000, 4) 18serious Side for SAR 240, 000, 5) Grayswood Pink for SAR 200,000 6) 18way Of Escape for SAR 100,000)
All in all, we are very happy with our purchases.
Q: Please tell us what was your experience at this yearling sale given the situation with COVID? Have you been able to inspect the horses as you do traditionally? What are your clients looking for this year?
A: COVID has put a spanner in the works as far as timing is concerned. The sale was run both live and online to cater for all parties who wanted to buy. It was a first but it worked out well.
We weren’t sure if the sale was going to take place to live so we visited most of the farms to view the yearlings as well. The sale was very strong considering and it was not easy to buy particularly at the top end. The middle also held up rather well. A 5% overall drop during COVID I thought was impressive considering.
We were after some Classic colts this year, but as things go, we ended up with a few fillies and some sprinters!! Go Figure.
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Q: What do you look for when you buy horses? How do you shortlist the horses you are looking at buying? Typically how many horses do you buy in a year? Do you have a price range you don't exceed - come what may? What sales are a 'must-attend' for you every year?
A: We look for specimens first regardless of their breeding, we then take the bloodline into consideration and our buying power to form a shortlist. We always tend to try and identify and look for a very athletic type of horse with a good temperament. If it doesn’t catch our eye repeatedly we probably won’t buy it. We have a solid tried and tested team involved, myself my brother Mark and my father Mike who has an exceptional eye.
In terms of the price range we try and stick to the middle market generally, but depending on our buyer's appetite if we find a ‘must-have’ classic colt we can go all in if we are all in agreement.
We generally have 40 - 50 2YO that come in every year. Some are sent by breeders but most are bought by us at the sales.
The National Sales are a must for us as well as the CTS Book 1 sale in January. We purchase most of our stock at these two premium sales, but we attend all the sales and usually try and support the smaller sales too.
Q: What has been the most successful horse you've purchased at this sale in the past?
A: Pocket Power we purchased for SAR190k. He went on to win 20 races including 9 Group one/ Grade One races, SAR11 million in stakes, and has the greatest record in South African racing. He was a champion and we will probably never have another horse like him.
Q: Please tell us about your current stable stars.
A: We have Clouds Unfold who has won 2 grade 1 races. She is by What A Winter who is special as we trained him to become a stallion by winning 4 Group One/ Grade One races.
From the same stallion, we have a colt called Russet Air, who has won 2 Group One/ Grade One races this year and will be champion Sprinter of the year. We have some really smart 2YO on the horizon particularly fillies.
Q: Please tell us your most favourite horse and why?
A: I will give 2 to be fair to both sexes. The best Colt, of course, must be Pocket Power. The best filly we trained is Sun Classique who was by a stallion called Fujikiseki, who I believe is not very popular in the east. She won 4 Group One/ Grade One 1 races in South Africa and went on to win the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic. She was rated amongst the top fillies in the world rankings and unfortunately injured herself prior to racing in the Arc de Triomphe. She was the top-earning filly in South Africa.