South Africa's 2012 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale ended on a positive note on Sunday although the overall average and gross fell slightly from 2011.
The average of R240 441 was down slightly from last year's R250 511 and the gross total dropped from R93 190 000 to R81 750 000.
However, the figures this year are a more accurate reflection of the market's state of being with the new vendor buy back scheme coming into play this year.
Previous years, overall figures hid buy backs and grossly exaggerated the market.
The top priced lot emerged towards the end of the two day sale when a Jet Master colt sold for R1.7 million.
A brother to G1 winner Stratos, the colt named Stratocruiser, was purchased by trainer Glen Kotzen.
The top priced filly on sale was a daughter of Black Minnaloushe. Tthe filly is a half-sister to two Oaks winners, Arcola and Princess Of Light and was bought for R800 000, by D Chinsammy.
Leading vendor at the sale, by aggregate, was Klipdrif Stud selling 17 yearlings for a total of R7.425 million.
The leading vendor by average, five or more sold, were Drakenstein Stud with 11 yearlings sold at an average of R440 909.
Form Bloodstock was the leading buyer by gross aggregate, purchasing 27 horses for a total of R10 890
000, ahead of Park Bloodstock, Mike Bass Racing and D Chinsammy.Trippi, who has made a wonderful start to his stud career in South Africa, led the sires list, by aggregate with 20 lots sold for R10 495 000.
Jet Master was second best, ahead of Captain Al, Black Minnaloushe and Silvano.
The late Jet Master led the sires list by averages, his 15 yearlings averaging R529 667.
Day 1 saw three yearling colts by Western Winter, Trippi and Captain Al fetch R1.25 million each.
