Date posted October 29, 2009 | Posted by Michele Cullen | Filed under
Sales NewsThe Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale got away to a solid start at the Gold Coast on Wednesday night. With a record international buying bench on hand the sale returned healthy increases across the board. The evenings trade was highlighted by the sale of a colt by Bel Esprit that was knocked down for $360,000.
The first session of the sale saw 88 racetrack prospects sell for a gross of $4,799,000. With an average of $54,534 up 65% on the corresponding session last year ($33,008).
The draft of Washpool Lodge consigned the top lot with Victorian trainer Peter Morgan putting his hand up for $360,000 for the colt by Bel Esprit, lot 101.
“He’s a very nice colt,” Morgan commented. “If you believe what they are telling me he’s a cheap horse.”
“He’s good legged for a Bel Esprit and he breezed up nicely. He looks a great prospect.”
Morgan said the colt, who is from the winning and city performed Bellotto mare Bellain, would most likely be racing sooner than later.
“I will get him home and give him a little break - but then get him into the stables and we might set him for the ($2 million) Magic Millions Classic.”
The next highest price was $220,000 paid by leading Singapore trainer Don Baertschiger for lot 83 - a Fastnet Rock colt from Wisp. Offered by Attunga Stud the colt had breezed up in 10.45 seconds for a furlong (200m).
“I thought he was the nicest horse on the grounds,” Baertschiger said.
“He’s a lovely horse and I can’t wait to get him to Singapore.”
“I probably had to go a little higher than I would have liked - but all the good judges are on the quality lots,” he added.
Buyers from Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Malaysia and South Africa along with a strong local bench were on hand. Magic Millions Managing Director David Chester said while delighted with the increased figures across the board, he was far from surprised.
“I always thought the catalogue this year was the best we’ve ever put together for the sale,” Chester said.
“And we’ve worked extremely hard in getting as many prospective buyers to the Gold Coast.”
“I’m pretty sure we’ve never had this number of international clients at any Magic Millions sale ever,” Chester added.
The sale continues today
SESSION ONE STATISTICS (2008 corresponding session)
Lots Catalogued: 168 (240)
Lots Sold: 88 (129)
Sale Aggregate: $4,799,000 ($4,258,000)
Average Price: $54,534 ($33,008)
Lots Withdrawn: 43 (65)
Lots Passed: 37 (46)
Sold %: 70 (74)
SESSION ONE TOP SELLERS
$360,000 - Bel Esprit-Bellain colt
Vendor: Washpool Lodge / Buyer: Peter Morgan (Vic)
$220,000 - Fastnet Rock-Wisp colt
Attunga Stud (As Agent) / Donald Baertschiger (Singapore)
$150,000 - El Moxie-Fire Lake colt
Doyle & Associates / Magus Equine Ltd (Hong Kong)
$130,000 - Happy Giggle-Freaky Fan colt
Kingsportz Pty Ltd (As Agent) / Magic Millions as agent (Singapore)
$125,000 - Ferocity-Survive colt
Robyn Wise (As Agent) / Magus Equine Ltd (Hong Kong)
$120,000 - More Than Ready-Princesse De Paris colt
Baramul Stud / Scone Bloodstock Services (NSW)
$120,000 - Bletchley Park-Crimson Pak colt
Robyn Wise (As Agent) / J Fang Co. (Singapore)
$110,000 - Antonius Pius-Cloudmist colt
Attunga Stud (As Agent) / Magic Millions as agent (Singapore)
$105,000 - Savabeel-Etoile Centieme colt
Oakwood Farm (As Agent) / Lucky Owners Pty Ltd (Hong Kong)
$105,000 - Hussonet-Excellent Song colt
Kingsportz Pty Ltd / David Joice (NSW)
$100,000 - Dehere-Sam’s Belle colt
Trimble Equine Services / World Wide Bloodstock (Sth Africa)
$100,000 - Snippetson-Dorin Donna colt
Hilton Thoroughbreds / Me Tsui (Hong Kong)
