Strawberry Field, who brought Aust$1 million ($846,750), was the most expensive horse sold May 31 during the second session of the Magic Millions national broodmare sale on the Gold Coast of Australia. Trainer Gerald Ryan, outlasting Patinack Farm, purchased the stakes-winning 5-year-old daughter of Encosta de Lago – Red Labelle, by Blevic, from Kitchwin Hills, agent.
The auction’s results, through two sessions, included a gross of Aust$17,831,250 ($15,098,600) for the 326 horses that sold. The average price was Aust$54,697 ($43,315). Compared to last year, the gross was down 8.3% and the average fell 2.7%.
The clearance rate of 79.1% was up from 77.4% in 2009.
"We couldn't match our outstanding clearance rate from yesterday, but overall the figure is still quite acceptable,” said Magic Millions managing director David Chester. "The sale probably couldn't have come at a worse time with the stock market taking a major dip over the past couple of weeks. But taking everything into account and with the success of the recent national weanling sale, things are going along pretty well.
"In saying that, I think the buyers here at the sale are getting great value and there will be more of the same tomorrow."