Youngsters by boom young Newgate Farm sire Extreme Choice dominated Day One of the 2022 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast on Tuesday.
The action came late in the day when the two lots catalogued by Extreme Choice were sold for A$450,000 and A$300,000 respectively.
Will Bourne, bidding on behalf of the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable, was delighted to secure the day’s top seller – the colt from Egyptian Melody.
Offered as part of a select Silverstream Consignment, the colt catalogued as Lot 1620 attracted strong interest around the ring before selling for A$450,000.
He is the third foal of his dam, an Exceed and Excel daughter of Group Two winner Sherine. It’s the family of international stars including Bodemeister and She’s a Julie.
“There’s been a few nice Dundeels at Arrowfield but I wasn’t able to get them,” Bourne reported. “This guy came through the ring late and I was really taken with his athleticism.”
“I felt at that money he was good value and we’re happy to walk away with him.”
“This colt is very athletic. He hasn’t got too heavy since he’s developed and I think he’ll be a nice two-year-old for our Sydney stable.”
“It’s been an amazing two weeks of trade. From weanlings and broodmares to now the yearlings. It’s a very buoyant market.”
“Credit to Magic Millions and the industry as well – it’s very vibrant,” Bourne added.
Just minutes earlier Trilogy Racing went to A$300,000 to secure the Extreme Choice filly from Diamond Meteor.
The filly was offered by Bhima Thoroughbreds, as agent for Finniefeirme, and she is from a Northern Meteor daughter of international group winner Lady Cat.
Earlier a Snitzel filly set the running when she was plucked from the Baramul Stud draft by leading local trainer Kacy Fogden.
That filly, purchased for A$250,000, is from the grand producer Rebel Sister and is a half sister to stakes winners Rebel King and Rebelson and stakes placegetter Rebel Knight. Rebel Sister is a half sister to six time Group One winner Black Heart Bart.
Across the day over A$6.6 million was traded on 133 yearlings at an average of almost A$50,000 and a clearance rate of 63 per cent.
“No doubt there’s plenty of positives to take out of it,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. “If you had a quality horse that came into the ring who met the buyers’ criteria, it was very well sought after and we saw that on a number of occasions. It was happening quite often.”
“With the market, we’ve had an extraordinary year with the yearling sales and we are running out of momentum. The clearance rate is evidence of that and this sale is slightly tougher for that reason, but as I said, if you had quality there’s plenty of people willing to participate on them when they walk in the ring.”
Bowditch pointed out that around A$620 million worth of yearlings had been sold across Australia in 2022 – the highest ever – and buyers were now opting to be more selective.
“For the buyers who are out there doing the work and willing to take chances and value the stock we’ve got here, they’re finding horses at prices that they’re very, very happy to pay.”
“I think today there was no hiding by the fact it was very sticky early but it built momentum as the day went on. There was plenty of bidding online and anyone who is sitting at home and looking at the results would wish they played today.”
“Hopefully overnight they make a plan to participate tomorrow. I think we’ve got an outstanding group of yearlings tomorrow, some of the highlight lots of the sale are in tomorrow,” Bowditch added.
To view the sale results or to make an offer on a passed in lot click here.
Day Two of the 2022 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale commences at 10am (Qld time) tomorrow.
SALE STATISTICS
(2021 Day 1 in brackets)
Lots Catalogued: 240 (225)
Lots Sold: 134 (111)
Lots Withdrawn: 26 (29)
Lots Passed In: 78 (85)
Top Price: $450,000 (A$500,000)
Average Price: A$49,567 ($63,887)
Median Price: A$30,000 (A$45,000)
Sale Gross: A$6,642,000 (A$7,090,500)
Sold %: 63 (57)
DAY ONE TOP SELLERS
A$450,000 – Extreme Choice-Egyptian Melody colt (Lot 1620)
Vendor: Silverstream Consignment (As Agent) / Buyer: Ciaron Maher (Vic)
A$300,000 – Extreme Choice-Diamond Meteor filly (Lot 1613)
Bhima T’breds (As Agent for Finniefeirme) / Trilogy Racing Pty Ltd (NSW)
A$250,000 – Snitzel-Rebel Sister filly (Lot 1407)
Baramul Stud (As Agent) / Kacy Fogden Racing (Qld)
A$220,000 – Dundeel-Timeless Choice filly (Lot 1494)
Arrowfield Stud (As Agent) / Robert & Luke Price (NSW)
A$180,000 – Dundeel-Almighty Girl bay colt (Lot 1540)
Arrowfield Stud (As Agent) / Kacy Fogden Racing (Qld)
LEADING BUYERS
(ranked by total spend)
A$919,000 – Louis Bloodstock – 22 lots
A$450,000 – Ciaron Maher – 1 lot
A$430,000 – Kacy Fogden Racing – 2 lots
A$340,000 – Mick Price Racing & Breeding – 3 lots
A$300,000 – Trilogy Racing – 1 lot
