(Edited Magic Millions press release)
A daughter of Hunter Valley-based stallion Testa Rossa out of Scone topped the second session of the BMW Magic Millions Adelaide yearling sale when she brought Aust$115,000 (approximating $73,390 in U.S. funds) March 10 in Australia. Victorian agent Kevin Dagg snapped up the youngster, which was consigned by Gerry Harvey's Baramul Stud.
"She's a great looking Testa Rossa filly," Dagg said. "She reminded me a lot of Rostova as a yearling. "I've had a bit of luck buying fillies by Testa Rossa in the past with Vormista. This filly has been purchased for the same syndicate who race her."
The figures for the first two sessions combined were 261 horses sold, a gross of Aust$5,246,500 ($3,348,159), and an average price of Aust$20,102 ($12,829). The clearance rate was 74%.
Last year, at the same point, 200 yearlings had been sold for a gross of Aust$5,258,000 and an average of Aust$26,290. The clearance rate was 72%.
"There was plenty of great buying to be had," said Magic Millions managing director David Chester. "Those who bought yearlings over the past couple of days will certainly be back next year. The value this year was the best I've seen and even before this year the Adelaide sale has been regarded as one of the best value sales in the Southern Hemisphere.
"Today's second session was much stronger as a whole than last night's opening session. To end up with the gross of the sale just Aust$11,500 ($7,339) lower than last year is a particularly pleasing figure considering the current economic climate. A number of other sales around Australia have had serious drops in their overall sale gross."
The third and final session of the sale will be held March 12.