(Edited Magic Millions press release)
A full brother to 2009 Coolmore Stud Ascot Vale Stakes (Aust-I) winner Headway topped the first session of the Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale Jan. 6 in Australia. The bay Charge Forward colt, produced from the Australian group II winner Chatelaine (by Flying Spur), was purchased by Headway’s trainer, Peter Moody, for Aust$500,000 ($456,500 in U.S. funds) from Turangga Farm.
"He's a lovely colt," Moody said. "He's a bit bigger than his sister. I've seen him since he was small, and I've always liked him. I'm happy to have him coming to the stables to train."
The colt will be owned by a partnership involving “a number of stable clients,” said Moody, who spent more than Aust$1 million ($913,200) for six yearlings during the auction’s opening session.
"There was a great buying bench on hand today, and they competed for a great lineup of youngsters," said Magic Millions managing director David Chester. "There were buyers on hand from every state in the country as well as many overseas locations.”
The 132 yearlings that sold grossed Aust$16,554,000 ($19,971,000) and averaged Aust$125,409 ($114,520). The median price was Aust$100,000 ($93,300). Compared to 2009, when 133 horses were sold, the gross dropped 20.6% from Aust$19,971,000 while the average fell 16.5% from Aust$125,409. This year’s clearance rate was 72.9%.
"I'm hoping for the clearance rate to rise tomorrow during the second session,” Chester said.”There are some lovely prospects to go under the hammer."
