The countdown to the 2026 Bloodstock South Africa KwaZulu-Natal Yearling Sale is building for Hope And Dreams Stud, where Basie and Suzette Viljoen will present a quality draft of 14 yearlings at Suncoast while also cheering on their runner in Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July at Hollywoodbets Greyville
The Viljoens arrived in Durban on Monday ahead of another busy sale week, with Basie saying the atmosphere surrounding the auction remains one of its biggest attractions.
“This is such a wonderful week to be here because buyers from all over the country gather in Durban, all in good spirits during a festive week.
“There are buyers based in KwaZulu-Natal who don’t attend other auctions, and we’ve found that the breeders and horsemen of the region share a gentlemanly camaraderie that is also conducive to good business.”
The Hope And Dreams draft – seven colts and seven fillies – was assembled with broad buyer appeal in mind. Basie explained: “We selected a number of precocious-looking yearlings for this sale, while including a few others to round out the draft and cater for the needs of all buyers.”
The Viljoens’ choice among their colts is Lot 118, sired by Buffalo Bill Cody out of the Vercingetorix mare Sultanah, who won five races up to 1400m. They pinpointed Lot 109, by Digital Age out of Silver Princess (Silvano) as an outstanding specimen among the fillies.
“They’re both neat and athletic first foals who look like they’ll come early,” Basie said.
Hopes and Dreams have three lots by Rafeef’s freshman Master Archie (Lots 36, 45 and 63), and Basie noted: “The few Master Archie yearlings we’ve seen at this year’s auctions were quite well received. Ours are nicely balanced and all look like forward types who possess some of their sire’s pace.”
Kommetdieding is another freshman who impressed buyers at the big auctions so far this term. “We have three Kommetdieding fillies Lots 110, 139 and 184. They are not as precocious as the others and will take some time, but will be well worth waiting for – plenty for trainers to work with, and holding much promise.”
One close to Suzette’s heart is the stunning looker Lot 147, a half-brother to Listed winning sprinter Bold Ransom, sired by Malmoos. Basie said: “We’re racing another half-brother, One Spirit, in partnership and in training with Vaughan Marshall. He looks about ready to win.”
Basie also speaks with enthusiasm about Lot 107, named Henry McCarty. “He is a lovely colt with an all-Australian pedigree. He is by the Snitzel stallion Real Gone Kid, who has already produced eight individual winners from his first runners, out of Shufoog (Star Witness), and she is a winning own-sister to the leading Australia-based stallion, Star Turn.”
Star Turn, who stands at the renowned Vinery Stud, was a Top 20 stallion in 2025-2026 with the least amount of runners listed in the Top 20 and has an exceptionally high strike rate of 70% winners to runners.