A Henny Hughes colt, who is a member of his sire’s first Australian crop, brought Aust$210,000 ($207,549 in U.S. funds) Jan. 16 to top the fifth session of the Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling auction in Australia on a day when the gross, average price, and median price all increased over last year's figures.
BC3 Thoroughbreds purchased the chestnut colt from Vinery Stud, agent. Produced from the Thunder Gulch mare Denia, who failed to win in her two career races, the yearling is a half brother to the winners Streetfire and Off And Laughing, who both are by Street Cry.
The final statistics for the fifth session included a gross of Aust$7,358,000 ($7,272,130) for the 157 horses that were sold. The average price was Aust$46,866 ($46,319) and the median price was Aust$40,000 ($39,533). Compared to 2010, the number sold was down 1.3%, but the gross was up 9.5%. The average and median rose 10.9% and 14.3%, respectively.
The clearance rate of 77.7% was down from last year’s result of 83.2%.
"The competition on quality lots was extremely strong," said Magic Millions managing director Stephen Silk. "There was a good lineup of buyers who stuck around after last night's fourth session and they were presented with a quality lineup of youngsters."
"To increase our average price and sale gross was encouraging. It was great to see so many people from around Australia and overseas at the complex today and bidding strongly."