The two-day Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale ended on Tuesday with results nearly mirroring last year's, but with slight gains in average, median and gross. From 400 catalogued, 368 were offered and 298 sold at a buyback rate of 19%, which matched last year's from four more sold. The gross was up to A$8,587,000 from A$8,355,500, while the average climbed 1.4% to A$28,815, and the median 4.8% to A$22,000.
“Uncannily, this sale is a mirror image of the 2016 version,” Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox said. “For three years running the gross of the sale has been sitting over A$8-million, where up until that time it struggled to reach A$6-million. The breeders have had the benefit of the 30% increase for three years now and it would be assumed that their windfall will lead to increased investment of bloodstock across the board.”
Cox added, “The market was aggressive on quality bloodstock and there are obvious reasons why others struggled. In closing I would like to congratulate our own James Dawson, who has been widely recognised for the effort he has put in to the sale both from a buyers and vendors perspective.”
The top lot of the session–and of the sale–came late in the day when trainer Gary Moore signed for a son of first-crop sire Sizzling (Aus) (lot 398) for A$160,000. The chestnut, bred and consigned by Gleeson Thoroughbred Connections, is the fourth foal out of Crimson Belle (Aus) (Red Ransom).
“He was the colt of the sale,” said Moore. “I really like Sizzling– he was a great Magic Millions graduate and I'm hoping this colt will run as well as he looks. The colt looks a natural early 2-year-old and he will be set for the A$2-million Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January.”
The session's second top seller was lot 301, a full-brother to G1 Tattersalls Tiara winner Miss Cover Girl (Aus) (Monashee Mountain) bought by Dave Mee's Pinhook Bloodstock and trainer Tony Sears for A$130,000. The day's top-priced filly was lot 375, a daughter of Star Witness (Aus) bought by leading local trainer Toby Edmonds for A$105,000. Edmonds trains this year's Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Houtzen (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}).
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