A Redoute's Choice colt sold for $800,000 (approximately US$845,585) to top trading Jan. 11 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale, where figures remained ahead of last year’s sale through three days.
The stunning bay colt was bought by leading Sydney trainer John O’Shea out of the Newgate Farm, agent, consignment. He is out of 2007 Racetree T. J. Smith Stakes (Aus-I) winner Apercu, by Encosta de Lago.
"He's the best Redoute's Choice (yearling) I have seen in a long time," O'Shea said.
Redoute’s Choice, who is based at John Messara’s Arrowfield Stud in New South Wales, will shuttle for the 2013 Northern Hemisphere season to stand in France at the Aga Khan's Haras de Bonneval. The son of Danehill was Australia’s leading sire in 2006 and 2010.
Cumulative total receipts compared with the first three days of the 2012 sale were up 7.3% to $55,782,500 ($58,956,038). Average price increased 4.8% to $133,771 ($141,381), and median rose 5% to $105,000 ($110,974).
The clearance was 80.7%, compared with 84% through three sessions last year.
"The sale is going well," Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox said, who added that he would like the clearance rate to reach last year’s figure.
"There's strong demand for quality yearlings and we've still got plenty more of those to sell tomorrow night."
A filly by Darley’s Central Kentucky-based Lonhro sold for $675,000 ($713,446) to James Harron Bloodstock on behalf of Dr. Edmund Bateman.
Consigned by Evergreen Stud Farm, agent, the bay filly is out of stakes-placed Cirque Du Soleil, a full sister to Australian champion and leading sire Fastnet Rock, whose offspring have ruled the top of the market at the sale.
“She is a magnificent filly and very, very athletic," Harron said. "She has a fantastic pedigree to go with it."
"We rated her as the best filly of the sale. I loved her and to have the pedigree to go with her looks is a bonus."
A Fastnet Rock colt, the first out of stakes winner Awesome Planet, by Giant's Causeway , brought the day’s co-third highest price of $575,000 ($608,145) from Spicer Thoroughbreds. He was consigned by Newgate Farm, agent.
A Redoute’s Choice colt out of French stakes-placed Daralara, by Barathea, was purchased for the same price by James Bester Bloodstock. He was offered by Arrowfield Stud.
The sale’s fourth session is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. Queensland time.
For complete sales results, visit http://www.magicmillions.com.au/horse-sales/