Average, Median Down in Perth

Magic Millions staged the opening session of its two-day Perth yearling sale yesterday. The average and median both posted declines; the average was down 10.5% to A$52,102, while the median dropped 11.1% to A$40,000. Turnover was also down, with 122 horses sold (35 fewer than last year) for A$6,356,500, compared to A$9,144,000 12 months ago. The buyback rate doubled to 37.1%. 
The high price, however, was up A$90,000 from last year to A$340,000. That price was paid by trainer Neville Parnham for lot 159, a flashy bay colt from the second crop of leading first-season sire Beneteau (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}). Consigned by Yarradale Stud, the colt is a half-brother to the South African Group 2 winner Honorine (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}), and hails from the Aga Khan family of Group 1 winners Darjina (Fr), Daryaba (Ire) and Daryakana (Fr). 
“He was probably the best colt in the sale,” Parnham said. “The Beneteaus are burning up the track so we were pretty keen to have a go at him. My client, Santo Guagliardo, was pretty keen on it.” 
Parnham said he thought the colt was precocious enough to target next year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic, which will be worth A$2.5 million as part of Australia’s new richest raceday worth A$10 million. 
“That’s the target for sure,” Parnham said. “He looks well-developed and a very mature colt. We will get him broken in and give him a little early education and we’ll be planning to head to that race.” 
Beneteau previously stood at Arrowfield Stud alongside his sire, but died last year, likely increasing the demand for his progeny. 
The session-topping colt was the icing on the cake of a strong session for Yarradale Stud, which sold three of the top five lots. Four youngsters tied for the second-highest price at A$160,000, with Yarradale consigning two of those, both fillies by its former shuttler War Chant. The first of those through the ring was lot 36, who sold to local trainer Dan Morton. The bay is out of the Group 3-winning La Sirenuse (Aus) (Barathea {Ire}), a half-sister to Group 3 winner and producer Paradise Park (Aus) (Bletchley Park {Aus}). Lot 103, a September-foaled bay, was sold to Boomer Bloodstock and Vern Brockman. 
The name Paradise Park popped up again when her filly out of hot first-crop yearling sire Sepoy (Aus) sold to Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock for A$160,000. Lot 87 is a half-sister to the triple Group 3-winner Grand Nirvana (Aus) (Scenic {Ire}).