A son of Snitzel was the most expensive horse sold Feb. 14 during the premier session of the Magic Millions Perth yearling sale at the Belmont Park Sales Complex in Australia. He commanded Aust$240,000 ($257,621 in U.S. funds).
Bloodstock agent Damien Wyer purchased the colt, outlasting Mark Pilkington in the bidding battle. Oakland Park Stud consigned the yearling.
“He was, in our opinion, the colt of the sale,” Wyer said. “He had a great walk, had good X-rays, and we were keen to buy him. I purchased him for unnamed clients, but I can confirm he will be trained by Jim Taylor.”
The colt is a half brother to the winner Darrange (by Grandera), who finished third in the 2008 Gibson Carmichael Stakes in Australia. Their dam, the unraced Charnwood Forest mare Diamonds And Dust, is a half sister to Burrito (by Marscay), who captured the 1995 Qantas Bill Stutt Stakes (Aust-II) and two other added-money events.
The colt was one of the three yearlings in the premier session that brought Aust$200,000 ($214,684) or more apiece. The others were an Aust$205,000 ($220,051) Oratorio – Zenda colt and an Aust$200,000 Bernardini – Born Priceless colt.
Dan Morton acquired the Oratorio colt from Namerik Thoroughbreds. Cameron Cooke Bloodstock bought the Bernardini colt from Yarradale Stud.
The results for the premier session included a gross of Aust$6,930,000 ($7,438,800) for the 98 horses that were sold. The average price was Aust$70,714 ($75,906) and the median price was Aust$56,250 ($60,380). The average was a record for a Perth sale session.
The clearance rate was 79.7%.
“There was spirited bidding throughout the day and the premier session proved a great success, with quality lots attracting strong interest,” said Magic Millions managing director Vin Cox. “It was great to see a number of horses exceed their reserve prices by strong figures and it was pleasing to see a healthy clearance rate for the first section of the sale.”
Magic Millions reported that some horses in the select portion of the Perth sale also were sold Feb. 14. According to a press release from the auction firm, “some 31 lots” were sold for a gross of Aust$799,500 ($858,199) and an average price of Aust$25,790 ($27,684).