Melbourne’s top trainer Peter Moody was all smiles when he secured the star lot of today’s third session of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Moody went to $1.15 million to secure the prized youngster – a Redoute’s Choice colt from Group One winner Sunday Joy.

The youngster, offered by Strawberry Hill Stud, is a half brother to current glamour mare More Joyous.

The $1.15 million colt took over the top spot of high sellers from Stratum’s full brother who Moody also purchased during Wednesday’s first session.

“I’ve been able to buy the two nicest colts of the sale – so I’m very happy,” Moody said.

“I probably spent a fraction more than I wanted for them – but that’s what you have to do to buy the nicest horses.”

Moody said a group of stable clients would take up the ownership of the blue blooded youngster.

“He’s a really lovely colt this bloke – he’s got a top pedigree and I was impressed when I first saw him.”

“He is a big, strong, running sort of horse and I would be surprised if he didn’t run as a two-year-old,” Moody summed up.

The colt was the star act of today’s third session of the popular auction.

The sale gross has now shot past $52.5 million with 420 lots having been sold at a healthy average price of over $125,000.

The clearance rate has grown to be over 80 per cent for the auction to date.

“The strong selling continued in good style again today,” Magic Millions Managing Director Stephen Silk said.

“One of the most pleasing things is to see the overall clearance rate pass 80 per cent – this is most pleasing for our vendors and also our buyers.”

“It was also great to see the million dollar barrier broken today with the sale of the Redoute’s Choice-Sunday Joy colt.”

“Peter Moody is one of the country’s leading trainers and we look forward to following his progress when he hits the track.”

The fourth session of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale will be held from 6pm (Qld time) tomorrow following the $4.3 million raceday at the Gold Coast Turf Club.

The session will commence with the auction of five stallion nominations (Al Maher, Flying Spur, High Chaparral, Lonhro and More Than Ready) with all proceeds going to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal.

SALE STATISTICS
(2010 Sessions 1-3 in brackets)

Lots Catalogued: 575 (600)
Sale Gross: $52,551,000 ($56,305,500)
Average Price: $125,121 ($128,551)
Median Price: $90,000 ($95,000)
Top Price: $1,150,000 ($700,000)
Lots Sold: 420 (51)
Lots Withdrawn: 50 (51)
Passed In: 105 (107)
Sold %: 80 (80)

SESSION THREE TOP SELLERS

$1,150,000 – Redoute’s Choice-Sunday Joy colt
Vendor: Strawberry Hill Stud / Buyer: Peter Moody Racing (Vic)

$360,000 – Encosta de Lago-Sharp colt
Widden Stud (As Agent) / Hong Kong Jockey Club (HK)

$350,000 – Redoute’s Choice-St. Katherine colt
Baramul Stud / Mark Kavanagh (Vic)

$330,000 – Fastnet Rock-Sweet Ransom colt
Newhaven Park (As Agent) / Kevin Moses (NSW)

$325,000 – Charge Forward-Portrayal colt
Arrowfield Stud (As Agent) / Peter Devitt (Vic)

OVERALL SALE TOP SELLERS

$1,150,000 – Redoute’s Choice-Sunday Joy colt
Vendor: Strawberry Hill Stud / Buyer: Peter Moody Racing (Vic)

$850,000 – Redoute’s Choice-Bourgeois colt
Reavill Farm / Peter Moody Racing (Vic)

$625,000 – Redoute’s Choice-Lady Capel colt
Baramul Stud / Connolly Bloodstock (NSW)

$500,000 – Redoute’s Choice-Mirror Mirror filly
Strawberry Hill Stud / Gai Waterhouse (NSW)

$460,000 – Exceed and Excel-Miss Andretti colt
Toolooganvale Farm (As Agent) / Lee Freedman (Vic)

$450,000 – More Than Ready-Miss Jakeo colt
Baramul Stud / Gerald Ryan (NSW)

$440,000 – More Than Ready-Moon Dragon filly
Strawberry Hill Stud / Anthony Cummings T’breds (NSW)

$440,000 – Flying Spur-Fumble colt
Willow Park Stud (As Agent) / Hong Kong Jockey Club (HK)

$410,000 – More Than Ready-Legal Consent filly
Evergreen Stud Farm (As Agent) / James Bester B’stock (NSW)

$410,000 – More Than Ready-Cinque Cento colt
Turangga Farm (As Agent) / Gai Waterhouse (NSW)

$410,000 – Shamardal-Confidential Miss colt
Rothwell Park (As Agent) / Greater Asia Holdings (HK)

$400,000 – Encosta de Lago-Devil’s Gold colt
Attunga Stud (As Agent) / Hong Kong Jockey Club (HK)

LEADING BUYERS
Ranked by total spend

$3,717,500 – Gai Waterhouse (NSW) – 17 lots
$3,290,000 – Peter Moody Racing (Vic) – 11 lots
$2,770,000 – Anthony Cummings T’breds (NSW) – 15 lots
$2,642,500 – Connolly Bloodstock (NSW) – 19 lots
$2,250,000 – Hong Kong Jockey Club (HK) – 8 lots
$1,885,000 – Ingham Racing (NSW) – 12 lots
$1,087,500 – Paul Perry (NSW) – 12 lots
$1,010,000 – Mark Kavanagh (Vic) – 7 lots