A Red Dazzler colt topped the opening session of the Magic Millions national horses in training sale, bringing Aust$260,000 ($264,904 in U.S. funds) Oct. 19 in Australia. South African bloodstock agent Andy Williams and Singapore-based trainer Patrick Shaw purchased the bay juvenile in the name of World Wide Bloodstock, outlasting Macau-based trainer Gary Moore.
“He’s a lovely colt,” Shaw said. “He was one of our real star lots of the sale and we’re thrilled to buy him. He’s a lovely individual, he breezed well, and he comes from a lovely family. He looks a very good prospect.”
Shaw trains Singapore champion Rocket Man, a sprint specialist who is a group I winner in the United Arab Emirates and a group II winner in Hong Kong.
David Kelly and Lucas Bewley sold the session-topping 2-year-old through Dunoola Lodge, agent. Bred in Australia by Ramsey Pastoral Co. and produced from the Centaine mare Boganvillia, he is a half brother to eight winners. They include Playtime (by Foreplay), who finished second in the Al Basti Equiworld BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Aust-II) and third in the Patinack Farm T.J. Smith Stakes (Aust-I) this year; Cinderella Man (by Kaapstad), who was second in the 2006 Dubai Racing Club Autumn Classic (Aust-II); and Stormpede (by Black Minnaloushe), who finished second in the Marriott Hotels Australia Up and Coming Stakes (Aust-III).
Boganvillia, who failed to win in eight career races but finished second three times, is a full sister to New Zealand stakes winner La Rose Noir.
The results for the first session included a gross of Aust$3,233,000 ($3,293,970) for the 78 horses that were sold. The average price was Aust$41,449 ($42,231) and the median price was Aust$31,000 ($31,584). Compared to last year, when 109 horses were sold, the gross fell 31.7% while the average declined 4.6%.
The clearance rate was 69% compared to 67.3% in 2010.
"There was strong demand on a number of lots," said Magic Millions managing director Vin Cox.
"We had a good lineup of buyers from around the country as well as overseas--with a large percentage of horses sold to international buyers.
"The top priced lot of the day--the Red Dazzler colt from Boganvillia--was the obvious standout, but plenty of others sold well. Obviously, the demand on the fillies wasn't as strong. There's no doubt buyers got some great value there."