As the local social calendar builds to a fever pitch for this Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July on 4 July 2026, the most electrifying conversation in the Western Cape isn’t happening trackside at Greyville, but rather across the historic paddocks of the Breede River Valley. In a landmark breeding deal that marks a massive changing of the guard, prominent businessman and leading racehorse owner Laurence Wernars has officially acquired the iconic Klawervlei Stud.
A Forty-Five Year Legacy of Champions
Nestled in the picturesque heart of Bonnievale, Klawervlei is far more than a farm; it is a regional treasure. For 45 years, under the meticulous stewardship of the Koster family, the multi-award-winning estate has grown into an absolute powerhouse, securing the prestigious South African Champion Breeder title six times. Its formidable roll of honor reads like a who’s who of South African turf history, serving as the cradle for legendary standard-setting super-stallion Captain Al, international track star and reigning champion sire Vercingetorix, multiple champion mare Roland’s Song, and the unforgettable Durban July hero Kommetdieding.
For us in the Western Cape, this acquisition represents an immense boost to our premium agricultural and lifestyle sectors. Thoroughbred breeding is a highly lucrative economic driver, contributing over R7 billion to South Africa’s GDP, with the absolute epicenter of high-value bloodstock concentrated right here in our province.
From Royal Ascot to Gumboots
Wernars, who built his fortune founding the Studio 88 retail empire, admits he is completely smitten with everything horse-related, even if owning a stud farm wasn’t originally on his radar. He quipped in his official announcement: “Can you imagine a businessman in a suit and gumboots trying to look after prized thoroughbreds?”
Yet, a recent trip to the United Kingdom for Royal Ascot proved life-changing. After visiting Europe’s elite Juddmonte Farms and Darley Stud—where he got to interact with world-renowned legends Frankel and Dubawi—Wernars was inspired to take the next step in his racing journey. His vision is to preserve Klawervlei’s rich legacy while transforming it into a world-class luxury boutique boarding facility, comfortably accommodating up to 120 elite mares, including 54 of his own premium mares relocated from around the country.
Preserving a Generational Philosophy
Crucially for the local Bonnievale community, this transition blends high-net-worth investment with generational expertise. Third-generation master breeder John Koster will remain on the estate to guide the transition and train an incoming manager. “Laurence is a man of true principle who has bought into our vision, our philosophies, and our way of conducting business,” Koster noted, expressing a heart full of gratitude for the staff, clients, and the community that built the farm’s 45-year success.
The Auction of a Generation: 10 August
While the land passes to a dedicated new custodian, the eyes of the global bloodstock industry are now fixed on Monday, 10 August 2026. On this day, a highly anticipated unreserved dispersal sale of Klawervlei’s internal bloodstock will take place on the farm.
Numbering roughly 160 head—including stallions, top-tier mares, and weanlings—the auction represents a once-in-a-generation commercial opportunity. Because Wernars purchased the physical assets and infrastructure rather than the horses, local syndicates and international buyers are preparing to descend upon the valley, ready to vie for elite genetics that rarely become available on the open market, cementing the Western Cape’s status as the undisputed epicenter of global equine excellence.
