Australia, 10 June 2008

Healthy avearge, though only 117 sell of 219 catalogued

Four yearlings - two colts and two fillies - topped proceedings during the opening session of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale held on the Gold Coast today.

All four of the youngsters made $200,000 and brought the highest prices during a session that grossed over $3.68 million and averaged a healthy $31,534.

Sydney based horseman Graeme Rogerson made the early running at the sale when in one of his famous one bid specials he secured an impeccably bred son of Encosta de Lago.

The colt is from the Danehill mare Zali - a daughter of multiple Group One winner and star producing mare Skating.

Magic Millions, acting as agent for a Queensland client, went to $200,000 to secure another youngster by Encosta de Lago, this time a filly.

A half sister to the Group One winner Barkada, she was offered at the sale by Scone based Sefton Park Stud, as agent.

Next up it was the turn of top South African trainer Charles Laird to step in and snap up his second six figure yearling of the auction.

Laird went to $200,000 to secure the Fastnet Rock half brother to Swissac from the draft of Scone based Stud Consultants Pty Ltd.

The fourth and final top priced lot of the day came when Les Tinkler's Serene Lodge snapped up the final offering of the day - a daughter of More Than Ready.

Tinkler purchased six quality yearlings today - another being the Dubai Destination half sister to Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Augusta Proud for $130,000.

"Selling was tough today and the buyers who were successful today must be thrilled with the value on offer," Magic Millions managing director David Chester said.

"There are plenty more great opportunities to buy a yearling and be in the race for next year's $2 million Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions 2YO Classic over the next couple of days," he added.

"Hopefully the clearance rate can pick up, but we are thrilled with the way the quality yearlings with good conformation and vet reports are being received by the buyers."

"The buying bench is very good across all levels and we're delighted our international visitors have been so active."

SESSION ONE STATISTICS

Lots Sold: 117
Session Aggregate: $3,689,500
Average Price: $31,534
Top Price: $200,000
Lots Withdrawn: 46
Lots Passed: 57
Lots Catalogued: 219

SESSION ONE TOP SELLERS

$200,000- Encosta de Lago-Zali colt
Vendor: Baramul Stud / Buyer: Graeme Rogerson (NSW)

$200,000 - Encosta de Lago-Biscotte filly
Sefton Park Stud (As Agent) / Magic Millions as agent (Qld)

$200,000 - Fastnet Rock-Curvaceous colt
Stud Consultants Pty Ltd (As Agent) / Laird Racing Stables (Sth Africa)

$200,000 - More Than Ready-Benaura Lass filly
Kitchwin Hills (As Agent) / Serene Lodge (NSW)

$180,000 - Hussonet-Engaged colt
Bridgeview Stud / George Moore Bloodstock (HK)

$140,000 - Hussonet-Colonial Dancer colt
Ascot Racing Syndicate / Daniel Morton (WA)

$130,000 - Dubai Destination-Kadasha filly
Kitchwin Hills (As Agent) / Serene Lodge (NSW)

$120,000 - More Than Ready-Zedagal colt
Widden Stud (As Agent) / Laird Racing Stables (Sth Africa)

$120,000 - Rock of Gibraltar-Desert End colt
Yarraman Park Stud (As Agent) / Dan O'Donnell (HK)