By Ric Chapman
Visiting American pinhooker John Brocklebank did what he said he would when he went on a bit of a spending spree as day five of the Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale ended on the Gold Coast March 30.
The Utah based horseman - regarded as one of the world's best pin-hookers and while a little eccentric in look and approach - is in the process of assembling a world class draft of prospects for October's Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale on the Gold Coast. On day five Brocklebank purchased four more yearlings, adding to his purchases last week during the Premier Session. He has already spent more than Aus$1 million.
"This is my first time in Australia and I've been amazed with how wonderful everything thing is," Brocklebank said. "The people here are incredible and the horses are first class.
"I'm hoping to be able to get a few more yearlings tomorrow and then put together an outstanding draft of two-year-olds for the ready to run sales here at the Gold Coast."
Brocklebank's draft will be headlined by a colt by exciting first season sire Fastnet Rock, who sold for $500,000 which he described as "simply a beautiful looking runner, and in my opinion the best horse in the entire sale." His highest priced horse on Sunday was by champion Aussie sire Show A Heart and set him back $140,000 - the colt's dam Our Majestic Blue is a stakes winner and her only foal to race thus far is a winner. He was was consigned by Glenlogan Park (As Agent for Gaden Park). Glenlogan announced Show A Heart would have his service fee raised to $33,000 for the 2008 season.
In other auction ring activity, NSW buyer Jim Douros paid top price for the day of $230,000 for a filly by Lyndhurst Stud sire Sequalo (the 7th foal out of 17-year-old 4-time-winning Potter McQueen mare Princess Potter). The filly was consigned by Lyndhurst as agent & the filly’s dam Princess Potter is a half-sister to six-time-winner and stakes-placed Crown And Anchor. In addition Princess Potter has 5 foals to race so far (all winners) including triple-winning stakes-placed Sammy Sequalo, four-time winner Go Sequalo and triple-winner Scutt.
Overall on Day-5 at Magic Millions, 171 yearlings sold (clearance rate of 78%) for $5,518,000 at an average $32,269.
Magic Millions Day-5: Top Lots
$230,000 Sequalo-Princess Potter filly (J.Douros)
$180,000 Show A Heart-Our Teacher's Pet colt (J.Nielsen)
$145,000 Hussonet-Lady Isabella colt (B.Vieira)
$140,000 Show A Heart-Our Majestic Blue colt (J.Brocklebank)
$125,000 Falvelon-Pushmataha colt (A.Bailey)
$100,000 Lonhro-Danislew filly (J.Brocklebank)