South African racing is on the up and the price of yearlings reflects the trend, a 30% increase this year. Bloodstock South Africa, the marketing sector of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association, has formed a partnership with casino operators Sun International and Peermont Global, which are hosting the annual sales of the future contenders in the sport of kings.

At the end of February the Grandwest Yearling Sale was held in Cape Town at Sun International’s Grandwest Casino. Hotel occupancy rates and casino spending both showed the benefits of hosting the event, and it is a two-way advantage. At the Emperors Palace – National Yearling Sale, held over the last weekend of April, high rollers at the Peermont casino were invited to attend and consequently some new owners have entered the horseracing fraternity. On 30 June the KZN Yearling Sale will be held at Sun International’s Sibaya Casino in KwaZulu Natal, followed by the KZN Mare/Weanling/Mixed sale. Emperors Palace will host the National 2 year old sale in August.

The upsurge in popularity of South African horseracing has stemmed from the international success of its bloodstock, particularly in Dubai. In 2003 Bloodstock SA was hoping that the price of a yearling would break the R1 million mark. This year at Emperors Palace in April a yearling called Officer Wales sold for R2.4 million (US$393,000). In many countries around the world the horseracing industry is struggling to survive. A couple of decades ago in South Africa, the country’s successful casino resort development led the world. It would be good to think that the horseracing industry progress there is an indication of better things to come globally. (E-05.12.06)

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