Leading Victorian trainer Danny O’Brien has turned back the clock to secure the top seller on Day Six of the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
O’Brien, who bred the top priced colt’s sire Star Turn, went to A$230,000 to secure the stunning chestnut colt after reminding him so much of the Schillaci Stakes winner and top proven sire.
2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale (Pic – Magic Millions)
The colt is the third foal for the former flying black type Ad Valorem mare Highly Geared. He was offered through the Toolooganvale Farm draft, acting as agent for breeder Roona Lodge.
“I bred Star Turn and sold him at Magic Millions and obviously got to know him very well,” O’Brien said. “This horse is an absolute spitting image at the same time of his career.”
“Star Turn was an outstanding yearling and this colt is as well – he was a horse who was hard not to buy once you had a look at him.”
“Of all the Star Turn colts I’ve looked at over the years, this guy was the one who most looked like his old man.”
“His mother was a very tough racehorse – she won 10 races and won in town and was stakes placed. She’s a young mare – this is only her third foal.”
“Every now and then one slips into Book Two and this guy for me was that horse.”
“On type he was the equal of any of the nice colts during Book One,” O’Brien pointed out.
The second highest seller on the day was the D’Argento colt from Lift All Boats who was knocked down for A$220,000.
The colt, presented by Bowness Stud, was purchased by Intel Bloodstock in partnership with Hayfields Racing.
His dam has already produced four prolific runners from four to race – Bubba’s Bay, Salina Dreaming, Either Oar and Princess Lottie.
Across the first day of selling the Book Two yearlings over A$7.3 million was grossed on 149 lots sold at an average price of A$49,144 and clearance rate of 73 per cent.
“It’s close to being in line with my expectations,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. “I thought the clearance rate could be a little bit better, the average is in line with where I thought.”
“To sell two quality horses above A$200,000 and some dozen horses make six-figures – that’s a pleasing start to the sale. If a good quality horse walked in, they sold accordingly.”
“There are a lot of new faces that are playing in the market and taking on some of the buyers that obviously didn’t get all the horses they needed last week.”
“It’s not getting any easier out there at this end of town, but as a whole, it was pretty pleasing how the day ended up. At times there it looked a bit sticky.”
“It’s a pretty well-balanced two days with some quality horses tomorrow that are very similar to what we offered today.”
“I’d suggest that come tomorrow, the buyers that aren’t here or aren’t really competing will see the value that we are offering and hopefully get in touch and we will be checking in with them to give them every opportunity to participate.”
“For the buyers that are here, I think they’d be very happy with what they are buying and are enticed to come back and do more tomorrow,” Bowditch added.
To view the sale results so far or to make an offer on a passed in lot click here.
The final day of the 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Day Seven, will be held from 10am (Qld time) on 16 January.
SALE STATISTICS (new format in 2023)
- Lots Catalogued: 224
- Lots Sold: 149
- Lots Passed In: 56
- Lots Withdrawn: 18
- Sale Gross: A$7,322,500
- Top Price: A$230,000
- Average Price: A$49,144
- Median Price: A$40,000
- Sold %: 73
DAY SIX TOP SELLERS
A$230,000 – Star Turn-Highly Geared colt (Lot 1189)
Vendor: Toolooganvale Farm (As Agent for Roona Lodge) / Buyer: Danny O’Brien Racing (Vic)
A$220,000 – D’Argento-Lift All Boats colt (Lot 1234)
Bowness Stud (As Agent) / Intel B’stock/Hayfields Racing (Vic)
A$170,000 – Ole Kirk-Antonia colt (Lot 1040)
Baramul Stud / Network Bloodstock (Vic)
A$140,000 – Maurice-Koonoomoo filly (Lot 1217)
Fernrigg Farm / Kendrick Racing (Qld)
A$135,000 – Pierata-Artful Whisper colt (Lot 1043)
Kenmore Lodge (As Agent) / Munce Racing/Arthur Hoyeau (Qld)
