The National weanling sale begins its two-session run Sunday.
A Redoute's Choice filly sold for Aus$480,000 to set a record for the Magic Millions National yearling sale, which ended its two-day run Friday on Australia' Gold Coast with huge increases in gross revenue and average price. Veterinarian John Crowley purchased the sale topper on behalf of Sydney-based businessman Ron Crogan. Consigned by Broadwater Farm, agent, the filly is the third foal out of the group winner Gilded Angel (by Made of Gold)."Ron liked the pedigree and was really keen on buying her, but he thought he may be able to get her on closer to Aus$300,000," Crowley said. "But I guess in the end, he was just really keen on buying her and not surprisingly, there was a lot of bidding on her from around the ring. I told Ron the filly had some good improvement in her and that she would bloom in time."Crowley said the filly would remain in Australia, but no decision has been made about a trainer.Earlier in the day, Melbourne businessman John Shannon spent Aus$450,000 for a Danehill colt, which was the last yearling by his sire to be sold in the Southern Hemisphere. Consigned by Oakwood Farm, agent, the colt is out of the group-winning Cordoba mare Geordoba.The prices for the Danehill colt and the filly by Danehill's son Redoute's Choice both topped Thursday's record-setting amount for a Giant's Causeway colt.The final figures for the sale were 262 horses sold for a gross of Aus$7,245,250 and an average of Aus$27,654. Compared to a year ago, the gross soared 124.8% and the average increased 65.6%. In 2004, the 193 horses sold grossed Aus$3,222,500 and averaged Aus$16,697.This year, 79% of the yearlings offered were sold compared to 68% last year.