(Edited Magic Millions press release)

Golden Act, a 4-year-old Tale of the Cat   filly, brought Aust$52,000 (approximately $42,526) to top the Magic Millions Perth winter Thoroughbred sale July 26 in Australia. Glenn Martin purchased Golden Act from the Peters Investments reduction.

Produced from the 17-year-old Rancher mare Fashion Review, Golden Act has won two of her eight career races while finishing second once and third twice. She is a half-sister to stakes winner Moet Magic.

In all, 168 horses were sold for a gross of Aust$820,400 ($670,923) and an average price of Aust$4,883 ($3,993). Compared to last year, when 246 horses were sold, the gross was down 29.2% from $1,159,550. However, the average rose 3.6% from $4,714.

The clearance rate declined from 82% in 2008 to 80.4% this year.

"It was a really strong day's selling," said Magic Millions managing director David Chester. "I would call it a record crowd for this sale; the interest was outstanding. It was the first sale since the economic downturn that I sensed an upward trend. There seemed a lot more buyer confidence. The quality lots were well sought after. Many lots had four or five or even six live bidders."