Sire Written Tycoon (Aus) provided the top two highest-priced lots at the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale Thursday, including the record-breaking A$115,000 sale topper.
The new record price was the highlight of a sale that posted increased figures across the board. A total of 126 horses sold for A$2,325,000, compared to 107 sold for A$1,543,000 last year. The average jumped 34.1% to A$23,250, while the median climbed 80% to A$18,000. The buyback rate was up a tick to 17.4%.
“We thought we could grow this sale even further than the massive gains from last year, but the results of today are out of this world,” said Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox. “The average price is up 34% and the gross up a massive 51% from last year, while the growth in two years has been 77% and 133%, respectively. With these sorts of numbers the Tasmanian breeding industry has a strong platform and confidence to go forward.”
Armidale Stud sold the top five lots, headed by lot 118, the Written Tycoon colt bought by local trainer John Blacker for A$115,000. Blacker, who saw off Victorian-based trainer Mark Riley for the October-foaled bay, said, “I looked at the colt three or four times and believed he was the best colt of the sale. He's well bred and is by Written Tycoon, who is one of the hottest sires around. He is an outstanding individual with plenty of scope.”
“We knew we would have to pay a decent amount for him, but we were prepared for that and I'm delighted we got him,” Blacker added. “The plan is to leave him a colt and he'll start here in Tasmania and hopefully he can end up racing in Melbourne and Sydney.”
Manny Gelagotis was the buyer of Armidale's other Written Tycoon colt (lot 105) for A$100,000. He was the only other horse to make six figures. Armidale's first-season sire Needs Further sired the next two most expensive lots–a colt for A$85,000 to Rex Gorell and a filly for A$72,500 to Denise Martin's Star Thoroughbreds. Martin, who was leading buyer at the sale with three purchases for A$168,500, said, “It's been another great sale and congratulations to all involved in a record breaking sale. I couldn't be happier with my three purchases.”
Dr. Eliot Forbes, Chief Executive Officer of Tasracing, said, “It's a real shot in the arm for our industry. We're delighted with the very strong interest from interstate and overseas. The sale is an arrangement between Magic Millions, Tasracing and Tasbreeders, and all involved should be congratulated on what has been a tremendous result.”
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