Formerly known as the Gary Player Stud, Big Sky Ranch is a farm with a long and impressive history.
Situated just outside of Colesberg, the farm was founded by the Ellis family all the way back in 1883. The Ellis family bred numerous top class thoroughbreds and many high-class broodmares on the farm including Prestisimo, Hey Presto, Magic Charm, Magic Link, Mowgli, Lavonia, Pussmoth, Preston Pam and Pipes of Pam.
Gary Player acquired the farm in 1974. His personal involvement with the stud and winning philosophy produced such high-class performers as champion Creator, and the likes of My Advantage, Amajuba, Kadarko, Foreign Source, World Over, Foolish Pride, Kazatka and Pinehurst to name a few.
In recent years, the Gary Player Stud has produced such classy graded stakes winners as Green Plains, Tristful and Vars Vicky, as well as Socrasync Toro Ya Africa Algoa Cup victor Cat Daddy.
Now in the ownership of Greg Morris (who is more than ably assisted by John Slade), Big Sky Ranch looks set to make its mark on the South African thoroughbred industry. The farm has undergone a tremendous upgrade in recent years, with buildings and stables all modernised to meet modern day aspirations. The veld and associated farm lands are all going through a revitalisation program and the operation has diversified to include an Nguni Stud.
The Karoo farm will be offering a classy draft at the upcoming National Yearling Sale, with Big Sky Ranch’s National Sale string made up of yearlings sired by such notable stallions as Erupt, Futura, Gimmethegreenlight, Ideal World, Querari, Vercingetorix and What A Winter.
Among the highlights in this consignment are Roman Lady (Lot 48), a Vercingetorix filly from an outstanding Australian female line, First Origin (Lot 191), a What A Winter half-brother to this season’s G1 Pongracz Cape Flying Championship runner up Mr Cobbs, and Tayasu (Lot 347), a Querari filly whose dam is a close relation of champion Nebraas.
Big Sky Ranch’s draft will be available for viewing in block B at the TBA complex in Germiston.
