No strangers to enjoying good success at the KZN Yearling Sale, the Birch Bros will once again be bringing a top-class string to this year’s KZN yearling auction. With this draft made up of yearlings sired by the likes of Danon Platina, Futura, Red Ray and the sensational Vercingetorix, it is not surprising that Colin Birch is feeling confident about his KZN draft.

Understandably, Colin singles out the full-brother (Lot 3) to G1 Allan Robertson Championship/G3 Strelitzia Stakes victress Vernichey as one of the stars of his string, saying, “He is an athletic, very exciting prospect, looks a racehorse, has a little more scope than his sister did at same stage. Vernichey is now at stud in Australia. This colt should rightfully attract a lot of attention at the sale.”

Resident sire Red Ray, whose small first crop yielded the likes of G1 WSB SA Classic winner Red Saxon and the high-class Alula’s Star among others, has three colts on offer. Colin says of the colt (Lot 68) out of winning Written Tycoon mare Awaafy, the grandson (Lot 77) of Winter Oaks winner Blue Heather, and half-brother (Lot 118) to dual Oaks placed filly Ballet Shoes, “I am very happy with them as a type. I got the matings right in my opinion. Should make into solid racehorses!”

Felinity, a daughter of G1 Thekwini Fillies Stakes winner Roxanne, has a smashing Master Of My Fate filly (Lot 126) on sale, of whom Colin says, “She is a high quality filly, smart sort, lots of presence and quality about her. The mare Felinity has a speedy filly Electric Feels running in the Cape.”

Danon Platina, one of the most exciting young stallions around, has a “racey filly (Lot 127) out of a top family on offer. This is a young mare producing lovely foals so has great potential”, while champion Futura, who has had an excellent season in 2022-2023, is responsible for a filly (Lot 169), who has “good size and strength. From a top family. Any moment now, this family will produce another top horse. This could be the filly.”

This draft can be viewed from Blocks A and B at the Suncoast Casino in Durban.