A colt by Duke of Marmalade has this evening been sold for $150,000 helping boost the figures from day one of the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale at the Gold Coast.

Melbourne based bloodstock agent Cameron Cooke purchased the colt, who was originally passed in, from the draft of Erinvale Thoroughbreds.

“I’m a huge fan of Duke of Marmalade and I liked this bloke the moment I saw him at Erinvale before coming up to the Gold Coast,” Cooke commented.

“I purchased him for a Victorian based client and he may be retained to race – but no decision will be made just yet – he could turn up in a sale as a yearling.”

“The colt was my pick of the sale and he looks a ready made racehorse,” Cooke added.

The $150,000 evening seller is a member of the first crop of Danehill’s record breaking son Duke of Marmalade.

Declared the Champion Older Horse in Europe in 2008, Duke of Marmalade won six races including five at Group One level.

With more sales set to be completed overnight and into tomorrow the session gross of $3.425 million is sure to grow.

Today’s first session was topped by the Stratum half sister to gun New Zealand juvenile Anabandana who was snapped up by Whakanui Stud for $220,000.

No fewer than six weanlings were sold for prices of $100,000 or more.

The second session of the 2011 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale will commence at 10am (Qld time) tomorrow.

UPDATED SESSION ONE STATISTICS
(2010 in brackets)

Lots Sold: 131 (209)
Sale Aggregate: $3,425,000 ($7,743,500)
Average Price: $23,299 ($37,050)
Top Price: $220,000 ($300,000)
Lots Withdrawn: 48 (26)
Lots Passed: 66 (27)
Lots Catalogued: 240 (264)
Sold %: 69 (88)