Magic Millions breeze-up sale

New sire Catcher In The Rye was the sire of a colt that sizzled a furlong in :10.15 at the Magic Millions breeze ups last week.

The speedy colt fetched $140,000 on Nov. 28 when a Scone Bloodstock agent named John Hutchison purchased him for leading Macau trainer Gary Moore at the two-day sale.

A Red Ransom colt brought the top price of $275,000 from South African bloodstock agent Andy Williams, acting on behalf of Singapore trainer Patrick Shaw, who secured the colt after a spirited bidding process. He breezed easily in :10.49.

The colt, who impressed potential buyers during Sunday's first session of the breeze ups, is the first foal of the Adelaide and Melbourne winning Langfuhr mare Luna Scene.

From the family of five time Australian group 1 winner Planet Ruler, the colt was one of the most admired on the complex.

"He's a lovely colt," Shaw said after signing for the colt. "He's a wonderful type, and he looked good in his gallop on Sunday."

Considering the extreme circumstances, the two-day sale was declared a resounding success by officials.

The sale was up with over $7.1-million exchanged on 185 outstanding racetrack prospects. Many buyers stayed away and several horses were withdrawn due to the threat of Equine Influenza.

The average price of $38,508 was a new record and the clearance rate of 86.5% was remarkable (last year it was under 70%).

A colt by Giant's Causeway out of the well-bred Marigot Bay topped the second day of selling when he was purchased by World Wide Bloodstock, as agent for Shaw, for $220,000.

"He's a lovely colt with a stallion pedigree," Shaw said. "And at $220,000 I think he's a bargain."

Magic Millions managing director David Chester praised the upswing in the market.

"This sale has helped restore great confidence in the Australian Thoroughbred industry at a tough time," Chester said.

"Many people thought this sale was going to be a disaster," Chester added. "But looking back on the past two days, it's been a stunning success."

"The clearance rate of over 86% must almost be a world record for any breeze up style sale in the world."

"Again this shows what Magic Millions can do, kicking away the bloodstock industry with a positive push - normally it's our January yearling sale setting the trend - now it's our horses in training sale after the EI outbreak."

The rescheduled 2008 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast will kick away on Easter Monday - March 24.