Wernars buys leading South African stud farm Klawervlei

Six-time South African champion breeder Klawervlei Stud has been sold to businessman and prominent owner Laurence Wernars, marking a significant change of ownership for one of the country’s most successful thoroughbred operations.

John Koster’s Bonnievale nursery has bred a host of leading performers over the past 45 years, including champion sire Captain Al, his son One World, exported champion filly Carry On Alice, champion stallion Vercingetorix, multiple champion mare Roland Song, international sprinter Shea Shea and Durban July winner Kommetdieding.

Carry On Alice, who is now owned by Arrowfield, has an unraced $900,000 two-year-old by The Autumn Sun in training with Michael Hickmott in South Australia, and a $460,000 Snitzel yearling filly who was bought by Te Akau’s David Ellis at the Magic Millions in January.

Koster and Arrowfield’s John Messara are shareholders in Autumn Wonder, Carry On Alice’s two-year-old daughter.

The sale of Klawervli Stud property will be accompanied by a dispersal auction of Klawervlei’s existing stallions, mares and weanlings, with about 160 lots to be offered on the farm on August 10.

Wernars said: “We are purchasing a beautifully equipped farm with its assets and equipment, not the existing bloodstock. The improvements made to Klawervlei over the years – the dams, paddocks and infrastructure – required enormous investment and simply could not be replicated today.”

He said the operation’s future broodmare band would be built around the 54 mares currently owned by his interests and relocated to Klawervlei, while the farm would continue to offer boarding services for outside clients.