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Avontuur Stud, headed by Pippa Mickleburgh was the leading vendor at the recent National Yearling Sales in South Africa. Mickleburg has been at the helm of affairs at Avontuur stud for over three decades.
As the daughter of a racing journalist for a few racing publications before the days of the internet, he instilled in her the love for pedigree research, which has helped her take Avontuur to global fame for their wines and their winners.
Pippa speaks to The Impact about their experience at the sales with COVID restrictions in play and in an exclusive reveal talks about the top weanlings they have on the ground that would be the highlight of their Yearling Sales drafts in 2020 and more:
Q: You were one of the top vendors (in both quality and quantity) at the BSA National Yearling Sale. Please tell us what was your experience at this yearling sale given the situation with COVID? Have your buyers been able to inspect the horses as you do traditionally? What were your clients looking for this year? And what has been your experience with the sales been like this year?
A: Have to admit to been rather nervous and worried on a few fronts. Firstly, traveling to the COVID hotspot of Johannesburg and then wondering if anyone would come to see the yearlings…so we were all a little nervous.
As the buyers had a lot more time and once we reached lockdown level 3 a lot more trainers and prospective buyers did come to see the yearlings on the farm, a lot more than normal.
The ten days in JHB were rather surreal, quieter than normal and the hospitality lounges which normally are a hive of activity late into the afternoon were very subdued and less entertaining was done that’s for sure.
However, the camaraderie between fellow breeders was very noticeable and everyone undertook the strict protocols with a smile and positivity.
The clients, as usual, we're looking for the winner, the athlete the yearling they thought would find them in the winner's box, shrewd ones sure got value for money as there were some awesome buys, as most of the vendors had to sell.
2020 has for me felt like a time warp, nothing was the same nothing was normal, but we made it and actually held our own. The racehorse owner and the thoroughbred breeder are a resilient breed.
(Avontuur sold the following horses during the BSA National Yearling Sale: 1) Redmayne for SAR 1,800,000, 2) Ovation for SAR 700,000, 3) Alcazar for SAR 500,000 4) Rowntree for SAR 320,000 4) Calluna for SAR 260,000, 5) Gifted Gal for SAR 250,000, 6) Last Clouds for 200,000, 7) Safari Blue for SAR 180,000, 8) Walker Bay for SAR 150,000, 9) State Your Case for SAR 130,000, 10) Cashing In for SAR 100,000, 11) Manvir for SAR 100,000 and 12) Migration for SAR 80,000)
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Q: What do you look for when you sell horses? What sales are a 'must-attend' for you every year?
A: The first sale each year in South Africa is in Cape Town in mid-January, so early for us but it has been around for a few years now and properly established in the sales calendar and one we love to support.
We then move on to the National Yearling Sales in JHB normally around Easter. There are other sales but we as Avontuur do try to only support these two Premier Sales if need be we will try a later Ready To Run Sale.
As to what do I look for: the first sale in January is a sale for the precocious yearling and for me, not first season sires as we do have a lot of International interest in that sale and they seem to lean towards the proven sire with a pedigree on the female side that they can relate to.
So I try to find the early looking type who will handle the sales preparation, which is a very important aspect for me, then those with a pedigree that I will find easy to market and promote to all the visitors.
Q: Could you tell us about the top weanlings you have on the ground for the next year’s sales?
A: With Silvanosuch an amazing success as a stallion it stands to reason that any progeny of his would also be a stand out:
Q: Please tell us about the most successful horse you've sold at this sale in the past?
A: We have had a great run at the National Yearling Sales. Of our most successful horses, dual Horse of the Year Legal Eagle must be the best closely followed by our champion Val De Ra.
Q: Please tell us about a horsey book you’ve read recently and you’ve enjoyed it.
A: I recently re-read Horse trader, every single person in the industry should read it. It is an amazing account of the breeding, sales, and racing industries; so glad all have settled down and the big players although in competition with each other on the tracks and in the sales arena they all seem to get on with the business of horse-trading.