Blackfriars and Oratorio colts top MM Perth day 2

A smaller catalogue for book 2 of the Magic Millions Perth Yearling sale resulted in a lower turnover and higher average price than a year ago. 188 youngsters were offered this year, 25 less than in 2014, and 123 changed hands, a clearance rate of 75%, almost on a par with last year. The day’s aggregate was A$2,865,000, down 9.5%, while the average price progressed 9.8% to reach A$23,293. 

A pair of colts by Scenic Lodge’s Blackfriars (Aus) and Mungrup Stud’s Oratorio (Aus), two of the leading sires in Western Australia, shared top billing at A$90,000. Lot 325, Scenic Lodge’s Blackfriars-Trish Glee sold was sold to Glen Kettlewell. While Lot 329, the Oratorio-Umashadow colt from Queenslea Park Thoroughbreds draft was knocked down to local trainer David Harrison. The Blackfriars colt (lot 325) is the seventh living foal of the twice-winning and Sydney-placed mare Trish Glee (Aus) (Success Express). The bay colt was presented at the sale by Muchea-based Scenic Lodge–the farm that has been responsible for the majority of Blackfriars’ big race winners. 

Lot 329, the Oratorio colt, was presented at the sale for Mungrup Stud Clients by Queenslea Park Thoroughbreds of West Pingelly. He is the fifth living foal of the unraced Umatilla (Aus) (Umashadow {Aus}), a half-sister to Group 1 winning juvenile Pride of Rancho (Aus). “It was a completely different feel today from start to finish, with good competitive bidding right from the outset with the local owners and trainers rallying on day two,” Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox noted. “To have two horses top the market at $90,000 is a reflection of the competition today. That said, there’s some work to be done with the Western Australian industry to ensure the industry as a whole remains relevant,” he added.