The select section of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale finished with a bang on the Gold Coast today with strong sales through the day headlined by a seven figure sale.

Group One winning mare Hurtle Myrtle, being offered by Kitchwin Hills as agent as a racing and breeding prospect, was snapped up the team from Segenhoe Stud for $1 million.

She led a spirited session where eight lots sold for prices over $400,000 helping return increased figures across the board on last year’s corresponding sale.

Over the past two days almost $20 million was traded on 299 lots sold at a healthy average price of $66,406 and improving clearance rate of 74 per cent.

The average price is up 38 per cent on last year’s auction, while the sale gross was also up some 24 per cent.

Hurtle Myrtle was the star of today’s session when knocked down to former top trainer and now leading bloodstock agent Bill Mitchell on behalf of Segenhoe Stud.

“She’s an outstanding looking mare who has loads of ability and we purchased her as a racing and breeding prospect,” Mitchell said.

“We’ll see what she tells us as to whether she races on. We’d be happy to race her on for another season like we’ve done with Sister Madly (who topped last year’s sale at $1 million).”

“We picked out about four or so high class mares and decided she was the one we’d try to buy and we’re delighted to have been able to get her,” he added.

The second top price of the session was $740,000 for the stakes winning three-year-old filly Defiant Dame.

The Gimcrack Stakes winner is in foal to champion sire Fastnet Rock in her first season at stud.

The mare was one of 10 purchased by Coolmore’s Tom Magnier over the two day select sale.

“She is by More Than Ready and is in foal to Fastnet Rock – she’s an attractive package,” Magnier said.

“As well she is a great looking mare and we’re thrilled to have added her to the quality Coolmore broodmare band.”

“She will be foaled down and will return to Fastnet Rock this spring – in fact you can say she will be married to him!” he added.

Magic Millions’ Managing Director Vin Cox said today’s session was very buoyant with strong selling from morning until evening.

“It was a very rewarding day’s selling,” Cox said. “The market today was strong right from the start of the session.”

“There was very good competition and vendors did a good job today of meeting the market helping the clearance race rise to 74 per cent for both days.”

“The positive vibe around the complex suggests that the industry is on firm footing.”

“I must congratulate our staff who worked very hard to put together an outstanding catalogue and for digging deep to achieve some remarkable results.”

“We look forward to the positive results continuing over the coming days with the National Weanling Sale.”

That sale commences at 10am (Qld time) tomorrow.

SALE STATISTICS
(2011 in brackets)

Lots Catalogued: 495 (533)
Session Gross: $19,855,250 ($16,025,350)
Average Price: $66,406 ($48,269)
Top Price: $1,650,000 ($1,000,000)
Lots Sold: 299 (332)
Lots Withdrawn: 90 (97)
Lots Passed In: 106 (104)
Sold %: 74 (76)

SESSION TWO TOP SELLERS

$1,000,000 – Hurtle Myrtle (has not been to stud)
Vendor: Kitchwin Hills (As Agent) / Buyer: Segenhoe Stud (NSW)

$740,000 – Defiant Dame (in foal to Fastnet Rock)
Evergreen Stud Farm (As Agent) / Tom Magnier (Ireland)

$710,000 – Dowager Queen (has not been to stud)
Kitchwin Hills (As Agent) / Baramul Stud (NSW)

$700,000 – Champagne Harmony (in foal to More Than Ready)
Yarraman Park Stud (As Agent) / Steve Brem as agent (NSW)

$450,000 – Bliss Street (has not been to stud)
Yarraman Park Stud (As Agent) / James Bester Bloodstock (NSW)

$430,000 – Vintedge (has not been to stud)
Robyn Wise (As Agent) / James Bester Bloodstock (NSW)

$420,000 – Impressive Eagle (in foal to Stratum)
Widden Stud (As Agent) / Tom Magnier (Ireland)

$420,000 – Satin Robes (in foal to Wanted)
Eliza Park (As Agent) / Tom Magnier (Ireland)

LEADING BUYERS
(ranked by total spend)

$4,567,500 – Tom Magnier (Ireland) – 10 lots
$1,730,000 – James Bester Bloodstock (NSW) – 6 lots
$1,130,000 – Segenhoe Stud (NSW) – 2 lots
$1,117,500 – Steve Brem (NSW – 6 lots
$1,076,500 – Belmont Bloodstock Agency (Vic) – 21 lots
$1,073,000 – Baramul Stud (NSW) – 9 lots