A Redoute's Choice colt, who is a half brother to group I winner Casino Prince, topped the second day of the Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale in Australia Jan. 13 when he brought Aust$625,000 ($618,138 in U.S. funds).
New South Wales-based agent Rick Connolly signed the sale ticket for the colt, who was consigned by Baramul Stud. The yearling is out of the winning Last Tycoon mare Lady Capel, who finished second in the 1997 Martin of Melbourne Plate in Australia and produced additional stakes winners Tagus (by Encosta de Lago) and Lord of The Land (by Timber Country).
"He is a (half) brother to Casino Prince and from my involvement with Patinack Farm and seeing what Casino Prince is as a type, he is all that and he could be a little bit better," said Connolly of the session-topping yearling. "He is an outstanding horse, a lovely mover, and what a pedigree."
Casino Prince (by Flying Spur) captured the 2008 Bisley Workwear Chipping Norton Stakes (Aust-I).
The cumulative results for the auction’s first two sessions included a gross of Aust$34,980,500 ($34,596,400) for the 275 yearlings that were sold. The average price was Aust$127,202 ($125,805) and the median price was Aust$90,000 ($89,012). The clearance rate was 77.2%. Last year, through the same point, 291 horses had been sold for a gross of Aust$38,173,000 and an average of Aust$131,179. The median was Aust$100,000 ($89,012) and the clearance rate was 78.2%.
"We've had another solid session of selling today," said Magic Millions managing director Stephen Silk. "Quality yearlings attracted strong interest. It is encouraging to see the clearance rate grow and we're hoping that continues to improve."
"There's no doubt buyers are getting some exceptional value across all levels of the market," he added.