THIS year’s two-day GrandWest Yearling Sale, held under the auspices of BloodStock South Africa, boasts 291 entries that will go under the hammer in the new Grand Arena at the GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World this weekend.

The progeny of first and second season sires will be sold on Day One (Saturday 17 May, 6pm) while those by established stallions will pass through the ring on Day Two (Sunday 18 May, 11am).

The progeny of Avontuur Stud’s freshman sire VAR, whose striking yearling foals fetched up to R850 000 at the recent National Yearling Sale, will be in hot demand on the first day.

They include Lawlord (Lot 34), the first produce of Welsh Damsel, an own sister to Grade 1 placed Hold The Fort and Valuta (Lot 58) a filly from a family of potent sprinters.

Dynasty colt Saxe Coburg (Lot 73), from Varsfontein Stud, is the first foal of Lady Windsor, a full sister to Lady Brompton, the dam of dual Grade 1 winner and Highveld Horse Of The Season, Kings Gambit.

Sadler’s Wells’ son Nysaean is represented by five lots, including an unnamed bay colt from Hope Joanna, the dam of Listed winner Hope and Fortune.

Lot 42, Ballycastle, consigned by Wilgerbosdrift, is a filly from the immediate family of Group 2 UAE Derby placed, Royal Vintage.

Buyers will be keenly in search of another superstar like SA’s champ Pocket Power, bought at the Cape Sale for R190 000 and presently rated among the Top 20 thoroughbreds in the world with earnings in excess of R4 million.

There might be one among the progeny of the established stallions who will enter the auction ring on Day Two.

There are several potential sales-toppers including a colt by international boom stallion Giant’s Causeway (Lot 120), from the family of successful stallion Honor and Glory, and a filly by Hawk Wing (Lot 135), born from a winning half-sister to two stakes winners in Hong Kong.

The formidable band of local stallions represented at GrandWest include Caesour (17 Lots), Captain Al (14), Parade Leader (11), Silvano (4), National Emblem (4) and Jallad (3) with names like Jet Master, Fort Wood, Rich Man’s Gold, Rakeen and Spectrum also in the mix.

An interesting entry is Tara’s Halls colt Major Bling (Lot 178), a full-brother to 2002 Equus Champion 3-year-old sprinter, Tara’s Touch, who won seven times in South Africa, the USA and Canada.

BSA Incentives will be in place for the following:

1st and 2nd season sires: R100 000 will be paid to the owner/s of the first graduate to win a Grade 1 Race in a 2-year-old or 3-year-old career.

Established sires: R100 000 will be paid to the owner/s of the first graduate to win a Grade 1 Race in a 2-year-old or 3-year-old career.

Buyers can also enter for the ongoing “BSA Bonus” series of races consisting of 14 juvenile feature races offering R890 000 in total added bonuses. Buyers enter by “Ticking the Box” at the time of purchase.

The GrandWest Mare and Weanling Sale will follow the Yearling Sale on Wednesday 21 May, starting at 11am. The catalogue for both sales can be viewed online at www.tba.co.za.