Red Ransom Filly Tops Australian Premier Yearling Sale

A filly from the second southern crop of Red Ransom topped the Melbourne Premier yearling sale which closed on Tuesday. The 2-day auction in Melbourne, Australia recovered from a quiet first day to post significant overall gains.

Red Ransom's filly was offered by Devon Park is from strong wine country in northern Victoria. The half sister to Australian One Thousand Guineas (Aust-I) winner Lady of the Pines (by Bluebird) closed out at $260,000 (Australian funds) to the bid of Sydney agent David Lamond.

Devon Park also consigned the next lot, a Gilded Time colt sold at $160,000 to Paul Perry, who prepared the Lightning Stakes (Aust-I) winner Choisir two days earlier.

The stronger second-day market saw trade boosted by 23.3 per cent, from $11.4 to $14.1 million as 345 head averaged $40,972. The average represents an advance of 11.1% on the $36,850 for 311 head a year earlier. The median grew by $5,000 or 16.7% to $35,000.

Victoria's main yearling auction had 65 more pedigrees shoe-horned into its catalogue this year by auctioneers, Willian Inglis & Son. It saw RNIs increase slightly from 17 to 20% with 86 lots unsold. At the end of the first day pass-ins were at 28% with an average running at 2002 levels.

Top price for a colt was the $230,000 paid by Muzaffar Yaseen through his holding company Teeley Assets for a brother to Rubitano, a winner of two grade I races down Flemington's straight last year. Both by Rubiton from Mrs Soffel a won-once but group placed daughter of The Judge.

The Sri Lankan owner paid top price of $220,000 at the 1994 Melbourne Premier for a Canny Lad first crop filly from the celebrated Nijinky import, Dancing Show, dam of grade I winners and successful sires Hurricane Sky and Umatilla. Named Shantha's Choice, she won a bush race in Victoria but foaled group I winners Redoute's Choice and Platinum Scissors to Danehill. Brian Mayfield-Smith paid $95,000 for Rubitano at the 1999 Premier.

Red Ransom averaged $147,333 for his four, Vinery employee Colm Santry signing for his filly from Danehill mare Kilspindie. The first foal foal filly was offered by Collingrove Stud. Gilded Time's quartet bought $75,000 apiece.

Average for the largest single contingent of yearlings from the first southern crop by Favorite Trick wound up at $39,950 for 10. Dearest by the Walmac resident was $85,000 for a filly from Shimmering Snow, by Frosty the Snowman. Favorite Trick works his southern seasons at Collingrove Stud in Victoria. The Phone Trick son has nine accepted for the Australian Easter sale on April 22-24.

A half dozen by End Sweep averaged $52,500; six by Bianconi $55,000; Hennessy's four $41,250; Langfuhr's trio $25,000; Lion's Caver's four $36,875 with as many RNIs; and five by Woodman $24,300.