A well related colt by star international sire Shamardal topped the first session of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast today.
Hong Kong based bloodstock agent George Moore went to $180,000 to secure the colt from the draft of Newgate Farm.
“Actually we have bought two other colts earlier (in 2011), by Shamardal that cost $410,000 here at the Premier sale in January and another for $550,000,” Moore said.
“We are just trying to buy them as we are giving his stock a big chance this year.”
“We have a couple of good ones in the stable, Leading City and Able Charm. They have great temperaments and they are doing well for us.”
“So we are taking a couple of extra chances and, this colt, was a lot cheaper than the other ones,” Moore summed up.
The Shamardal colt at $180,000 was one of 10 yearlings to sell for $100,000 or more during the opening session of the yearling component of the National Sale.
A colt by Fastnet Rock offered by Newhaven Park was snapped up the Lucky Racing Syndicate for $150,000, while Sydney based agent James Bester parted with $145,000 for the Redoute’s Choice-Paraca colt for a South African client.
The top priced filly for the session was the Encosta de Lago half sister to Group One winner Aqua D’amore. She was purchased by Andy Williams’ World Wide Bloodstock.
Williams signed for nine youngsters during the day as he chases another champion. It was at the 2007 auction that he paid $60,000 for the international sprinting champion Rocket Man.
All up today over $4.4 million was traded on 132 lots at an average price of $33,771 – an increase on last year’s record breaking opening session. The clearance rate was a disappointing 64 per cent.
“It’s what you’d call a sticky market,” Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox said.
“There are a lot of buyers here at the sale from around Australia and overseas.”
“A positive of the sale has been the significant buying bench that has participated so far and we’re hoping this continues tomorrow.”
“Ideally we’d like the clearance rate to grow – hopefully some of the passed in horses from today can be sold prior to the conclusion of tomorrow’s second session.”
“There was good interest on a number of lots and in many cases these lots sold extremely well and those vendors were pleased.”
“There are some great prospects to go under the hammer tomorrow and the value, as we have seen today, is exceptional,” Cox summed up.
TODAY’S TOP SELLERS
$180,000 – Shamardal-Running Jeans colt
Vendor: Newgate Farm (As Agent) / Buyer: George Moore Bloodstock (HK)
$150,000 – Fastnet Rock-Waltons Grove colt
Newhaven Park (As Agent) / Lucky Racing Syndicate (Vic)
$145,000 – Redoute’s Choice-Paraca colt
Torryburn Stud (As Agent) / James Bester Bloodstock (NSW)
$130,000 – Flying Spur-Touched By God colt
Strawberry Hill Stud / James Bester Bloodstock (NSW)
$130,000 – More Than Ready-Secover colt
Baramul Stud / Danny Bougoure (Qld)
$120,000 – Nadeem-Seven Stars colt
Evergreen Stud Farm (As Agent) / Magic Millions as agent (NSW)
$115,000 – Encosta de Lago-Romantic River filly
Newgate Farm (As Agent) / World Wide Bloodstock (Sth Africa)
$115,000 – Not a Single Doubt-Open Handed colt
Newgate Farm (As Agent) / Magus Equine Ltd (HK)
$110,000 – Testa Rossa-Stellar Lights colt
Baramul Stud / Magic Millions as agent (Qld)
$100,000 – Red Ransom-Rockin Babe filly
Luskin Park Stud (As Agent) / Magic Millions as agent (Vic)
SALE STATISTICS
(2010 in brackets)
Lots Catalogued: 245 (208)
Session Gross: $4,457,750 ($5,111,500)
Average Price: $33,771 ($32,167)
Top Price: $180,000 ($400,000)
Lots Sold: 132 (137)
Lots Withdrawn: 37 (21)
Lots Passed: 76 (50)
Sold %: 64 (73)
