Expanded Magic Millions Maintains Hot Pace

The experiment to make session five of the expanding Magic Millions Yearling Sale didn't produce the fireworks expected -- but records still continued to fall.

Traditionally the Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale went for four major days, then a rest day followed by the next tier of yearlings.

But with so many noms this year, the sale was pushed out for the traditional four days, but day five was billed as equal to the rest and was moved forward, following immediately after the first four days.

A new record aggregate and a new record average for day five was set as over (Aus) $9 million was traded on 198 yearlings.

The average price of $46,283 was up a healthy 15% on last year's record figure of just over $40,000.

And the sale aggregate surged 34% from $6.8 million last year to over $9.1 million, bringing the aggregate for the first five days to (Aus) $118 million.

Magic Millions managing director David Chester said quality yearlings throughout the day five marathon session were the subject of spirited bidding.

"A number of vendors celebrated some excellent results in the ring," Chester commented. "There were a number of great prospects on offer."

The growing stature of the session five sale was clearly evidenced through prominent buyers including Paul Perry, Anthony Cummings, Clarry Conners, Mark Pilkington, Slade Bloodstock, Dynamic Syndications, Apollo Ng, Peter Moody and Tony Noonan all being in the thick of the action.

The top buys on the day were:
-- $155,000 - Johannesburg-Ossie Cossie filly, Vendor: Eureka Thoroughbreds (As Agent) / Buyer: Brian Jenkins (Vic).
-- $150,000 - Dubai Destination-Belong to Madam colt, Caithness Breeding (As Agent) / Magic Millions as agent (NSW).
-- $130,000 - Viscount-Dantain colt, Caithness Breeding (As Agent) / Magic Millions as agent (NSW).
-- $125,000 - Magic Albert-Lots of Humour colt, Michelle Johnston (As Agent) / Ted & Vicki Humphries (NSW).
-- $125,000 - Falvelon-Quizas filly, Lyndhurst Stud Farm (As Agent) / Cook Thoroughbreds (NSW).
-- $120,000 - Hold That Tiger-Flying Love colt, Coolmore Stud (As Agent) / Paul Perry (NSW).

Chester said he was a little disappointed the clearance rate wasn't as healthy as he'd hoped.

"Next year's session five sale will be a lot more select," Chester commented. "The buyers are very selective and we have to give them a sale to suit."

The sixth session of the sale will kick away at 11a.m. on Wednesday after a "lay day".