Magic Millions sale sets positive tone

TRADITIONALLY the first yearling sale of the year, Magic Millions set a positive tone for forthcoming yearling sales across Australia and New Zealand with satisfying results at the completion of its four select sessions held at the Gold Coast from January 9 to 12.

The sale gross rose to $67.67 million for 497 lots – well up on last year's figure of $62.57 million for 492 lots – and yet again Magic Millions lived up to its name when Coolmore Stud paid $1.35 million for a colt by Fastnet Rock from Smart Company.

All up, 18 yearlings sold for $400,000 and above compared to 13 last year while a further 17 topped the $300,000 mark.

The average price of $136,172 also had a healthy increase when compared to the $127,175 achieved 12 months ago while the median rose from $100,000 to $105,000.

The clearance rate continued to rise during the sale from 77 percent after Session 1 to 83 percent at the sale’s conclusion – just below last year’s 84 percent.

"It's been an extremely strong sale," Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox said. "It was pleasing to see the clearance rate climb over the four sessions again."

"It was great to see the support of many newer players - both as vendors and buyers," Cox added.

The strong buying bench featured buyers from Europe, USA, Japan, Hong Kong, South Africa and New Zealand competing strongly with buyers from across Australia.

The leading buyer for the sale was the powerful partnership of Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse and James Harron Bloodstock signing for 27 yearlings at a spend of more than $6 million.

Another 21 lots heading to the Waterhouse stable will be the outstanding selection of purchases from Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds. Her outlay of more than $2 million left Star second on the buyers table.

American-based Ingordo Bloodstock, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Melbourne's Peter Moody rounded out the leading top five buyers on money spent.

Gai Waterhouse will also train the top priced lot, a Fastnet Rock colt, bought for $1.35 million by Tom Magnier from Coolmore Stud, Jerry’s Plains, NSW. Offered by Lomar Park Stud, Werombi, NSW, the colt is from the winner Mister C mare Smart Company – a sister to three stakes winners including dual Group 1 winner Super Elegant.

The Waterhouse/Harron combination also paid $500,000 each for two more Fastnet Rock yearlings both offered through Coolmore Stud as agent. One was a colt from Liberty Rose while the other was a filly from Legally Bay owned by Queensland breeders Chris and Jane Barham.

Group 1 winning sprinter Fastnet Rock also featured in the pedigree of the top priced filly which sold for $675,000 to James Harron Bloodstock bidding on behalf of long term client Dr Edmund Bateman. A daughter of Lohnro, the filly is from the Danehill mare Cirque Du Soleil – a winning sister to Fastnet Rock – and was offered by Evergreen Stud Farm (as agent), Heatherbrae, NSW

Coolmore Stud had a busy sale with 36 lots grossing $5.9 million and averaging $164,000. Baramul Stud, owned by Magic Millions co-principal Gerry Harvey, sold 34 yearlings for $4.52 million to average $132,941, while Arrowfield Stud had 21 lots gross $3.63 million to average $172,857.

Leading Queensland vendor was Glenlogan Park near Beaudesert with 17 lots grossing $2.08 million and average $122,352. Fig Tree Thoroughbreds, Biddaddaba, sold 11 yearlings for $1.1 million, Highgrove Stud, Westbrook, sold six yearlings for $1.055 million, while Raheen Stud, Gladfield and Rosari Farm, Warwick, each sold four yearlings that also grossed $570,000 each.

Queensland buyers made their presence felt paying almost $7 million for 62 lots. Brisbane trainer Dan Bougoure, who prepared former dual Group 1 Doomben Ten Thousand winner Falvelon, led the charge paying $420,000 for a Redoute’s Choice/Fabulous Cat (Jpn) colt and $400,000 for a Snitzel/Miss Kournikova filly. Both lots were offered by Arrowfield Stud (as agent), Scone, NSW.

Gold Coast-based Heinrich Bloodstock paid $505,500 for six lots, Brisbane trainer Kelly Schweida paid $560,000 for five lots, and Gollan Racing Trust paid $625,000 for four lots..

Two Group 1 winning sons of Danehill – Redoute’s Choice and Fastnet Rock – had a fierce battle for leading sire honours.

Arrowfield-based Redoute’s Choice – which has now shuttled to France for the Northern Hemisphere season – prevailed with 10 lots averaging $384,500 with his top priced lot selling for $800,000 which was also second top sale price. Offered by Newgate Farm (as agent), Scone, NSW, the colt from Encosta De Lago mare Group 1 winning mare Apercu was bought by Sydney trainer John O’Shea.

Fastnet Rock’s progeny were also popular with 33 lots averaging $318,030 followed by Street Cry (USA) (seven lots average $226,428), Snitzel (18 lots average $186,388) and Lonhro (12 lots average $179,583).

Established sire Medaglia D’Oro – whose progeny include USA Horse of the Year in 2009 Rachel Alexandra – had his first Australian yearling progeny on offer at Magic Millions and took the honours for leading first season sire with six lots averaging $156,666.

Progeny by Australian-bred Group 1 winning first season sires were also in demand. Wanted had 11 lots average $149,773 selling to $460,000. Denman had 10 average $127,000, All American had 14 average $105,357, Nicconi had 17 average $97,941 and Manhattan Rain – a half-brother to Redoute’s Choice – also had 17 average $97,794.

(2012 in brackets)

Lots Catalogued: 660 (645)

Sale Gross: $67,677,500 ($62,570,000)

Average Price: $136,172 ($127,175)

Median Price: $105,000 ($100,000)

Top Price: $1,350,000 ($960,000)

Lots Sold: 497 (492)

Lots Withdrawn: 60 (62)

Lots Passed In: 103 (91)

Sold %: 83 (84)

(ranked by total spend)

$6,050,000 - Gai Waterhouse & James Harron B'stock (NSW) - 27 lots

$2,355,000 - Star Thoroughbreds (NSW) - 21 lots

$2,230,000 - Ingordo Bloodstock (USA) - 12 lots

$2,100,000 - Hong Kong Jockey Club (HK) - 8 lots

$1,575,000 - Moody Racing (Vic) - 14 lots

(ranked by average - 3 or more sold)

$391,000 - Lomar Park Stud - 5 sold

$271,250 - Evergreen Stud Farm - 4 sold

$229,000 - Newgate Farm - 15 sold

$202,500 - Strawberry Hill Stud - 4 sold

$193,750 - Rothwell Park - 4 sold

(ranked by sale gross)

$5,905,000 - Coolmore Stud - 36 sold

$4,520,000 - Baramul Stud - 34 sold

$3,630,000 - Arrowfield Stud - 21 sold

$3,435,000 - Newgate Farm - 15 sold

$3,045,000 - Newhaven Park - 17 sold

(ranked by average - 3 or more sold)

$384,500 - Redoute's Choice - 10 sold

$318,030 - Fastnet Rock - 33 sold

$226,429 - Street Cry - 7 sold

$186,389 - Snitzel - 18 sold

$179,583 - Lonhro - 12 sold

(ranked by average - 3 or more sold)

$156,667 - Medaglia d'Oro - 6 sold

$149,773 - Wanted - 11 sold

$127,000 - Denman - 10 sold

$105,357 - All American - 14 sold

$97,941 - Nicconi - 17 sold