(Edited Magic Millions press release)
The Magic Millions Perth yearling sale posted increases of 65.2% in gross revenue and 18.3% in average price from the previous year during its opening session Jan. 27 in Australia. The clearance rate was 77.1% compared to 69.9% in 2009.
A More Than Ready filly, which was Hip No. 1 in the auction’s catalog, was the day’s most expensive horse, bringing Aust$230,000 ($207,021 in U.S. funds). BC3 Thoroughbreds purchased the yearling, which is a half-sister to the winner Ebony Raider (by Danetime) from Oakland Park Stud, agent.
“She’s a lovely filly, one that will be very suited to the BC3 program,” said Simon Marshall, BC3’s sales and industry liaison manager.
He added that the yearling impressed BC3’s American-based John Brocklebank.
“We have a grading system, and she was just one level off the top, and we think in three months time she will be there,” Marshall said. “She is going to make a lovely breeze-up prospect later in the year.”
Bred by W.J. Martin, the filly is the fifth reported foal out of the Bletchley Park mare Ebony Magic, who captured the 2000 Gimcrack Stakes in Australia. Bletchley Park is a full sister to another Gimcrack Stakes winner, Most Secret, who scored in the 1996 edition of the race when it was sponsored by Healthway. Most Secret also captured the Swan Draught Supremacy Stakes and Queen’s Plate in 1996.
The opening session results included a gross of Aust$3,847,500 ($3,463,100) for the 81 horses that sold. The average was Aust$47,500 ($42,754). In 2009, on the auction’s first day, the 58 horses that sold grossed Aust$2,328,500 and averaged Aust$40,147.
Magic Millions Managing Director David Chester was delighted the session boasted such strong figures.
"To see the average price increase by almost 20% and the clearance rate rise from (nearly) 70% to 77.1% is very encouraging," said Magic Millions managing director David Chester."We have a great buying bench at the sale; the smart buyers are all here."
A Fastnet Rock -- Imaginaire colt brought the first day's second highest-price of $220,000. Tiong Seng Ong of Singapore bought the yearling from Cape Falls Thoroughbreds & Trafalgar Investments.