The first session of the Magic Millions broodmare sale got under way on Monday on the Australia's Gold Coast with robust selling and record highs.
A supplementary hip number stole the honors very late in the day – but it had strong competition leading up to it. Vinery Stud consigned Gypsy Dancer, the dam of champion and multiple group I winner Dance Hero. She is also the dam of the weanling that shattered the Southern Hemisphere record in this very sale ring last week when he was sold by Vinery for Aust$1,150,000. His mum won the bragging rights though as she was knocked down to the same purchaser – Tom Magnier of Ireland. He went to Aust$1.5 million (U.S.$1,260,000) for Gypsy Dancer, and when she foals she will be sent to Holy Roman Emperor.
Gypsy Dancer, an 11-year-old daughter of Dance Floor -- Racy Belle, by Straight Strike. Her owner, or now former owner Tony Akari, paid just Aust$15,000 for her eight years ago and has done nothing but rake in the money ever since.
“It is sad to see her go because she is very special and has changed my life,” he said, puffing on his ever present cigar. “But this was the time to sell and I am very glad I have.”
Gypsy Dancer nosed out former champion race mare Private Steer (Danehill Dancer -- Lisheenowen) as the top seller of the day. Earlier in the afternoon, Private Steer sold for Aust$1.4 million, again going to Magnier. The purchase was the third for over a million dollars for the Australian division of Coolmore Stud, the powerful global breeding operation. Private Steer is in foal to group I winner Starcraft.
But back to Gypsy Dancer. Coolmore’s Magnier was delighted to secure her after a frantic few minutes when the mare’s price soared from an opening bid of Aust$500,000 through the magical million dollar mark.
“As well as being a lovely type herself," Magnier said, "we know she throws lovely types and after paying over a million dollars for her weanling colt, we knew we’d have to dig deep to get her. Mares like her don’t come up for sale very often and she’s in foal to Redoute’s Choice.”
Scans prior to the scale revealed that Gypsy Dancer is carrying a colt.
All up Monday, a staggering 33 mares sold for a price of Aust$200,000 or more – helping the day gross Aust$26,847,000 at a massive average price of Aust$154,293. The clearance rate was a healthy 81%.
The average was up a massive 38% on last year’s corresponding session, while the session aggregate leapt up over 77%. This all continues the staggering upward trend of Thoroughbred bloodstock sales in Australia.
The sale continues on Tuesday.