The second and final session of the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale in Australia Thursday had a truckload of impressive horses, and they all sold well. Yet, somehow, the raw excitement generated by the record weanling on day one, nullified the excitement level. That was a shame as because day two’s offering and returns were spectacular in their own right.
Leading trainer Gerald Ryan was delighted to snare what he described as the “best weanling on the complex” during yet again, the final moments of the session. In a carbon copy of Wednesday, the top hip number sold with just two horses remaining.
Ryan will prepare the colt purchased for Aust$370,000, (U.S $307,000) acting as agent for a good stable client. The colt from the top producing Scenic mare Bumps, is a member of the first crop of weanlings by former star sprinter and multiple group I-winning Danehill son Fastnet Rock and was offered by Glastonbury Stud, run by former Coolmore Manager Duncan Grimley.
“He was the best horse in the sale in my opinion,” Ryan said. “He’s strong, sound, mature, correct, and is a great type. There’s no doubt you’d be paying a lot more for my colt as a yearling. His dam has done the job by producing two stakes horses and he’s by the sire that many are tipping to be the star of the first seasoners.”
The colt was one of 14 to sell for $100,000 or more during Thursday’s second session.
All up over the past two days, a staggering 42 weanlings sold for at least six figures – another Australasian record for a weanling sale.
The sale broke all previous Australasian records.
SALE STATISTICS
(2006 sale in brackets)
Lots Sold: 429 (495)
Gross: Aust$19,119,000 ($16,115,050)
Average Price: Aust$44,566 ($32,556)
Top Price: Aust$1,150,000 ($650,000)
Lots Withdrawn: 88 (134)
Lots Passed:38 (107)
Lots Catalogued: 555 (736)
Sold %: 92 (82)