Australia, 27 May 2008

The Magic Millions National Sale got away to a positive start on the Gold Coast today when the first session of the Weanling Sale was held.

Highlighted by the 39 lot dispersal from Swettenham Stud, the first session grossed over $10.3 million and averaged a record $68,917.

The top price for the session came during the Swettenham unreserved sale when local thoroughbred outfit Blue Sky Thoroughbreds went to $700,000 for a three quarter brother to fellow Magic Millions graduate Fashions Afield.

"He's just a magnificent colt," Blue Sky's Julian Blaxland said. "On the strength of the sale we are delighted to get him for this sort of money."

The second top priced weanling of the day was an Encosta de Lago filly from the Group One winning Danehill mare Larrocha.

She was purchased by Emerald Thoroughbreds' Bill Benson after a bidding duel with a number of prospective buyers around the complex.

Buyers from today's session came from all corners of Australia as well as overseas locations including New Zealand, Singapore, Ireland, South Africa, France and the United States.

Magic Millions managing director David Chester said he was pleased with how the first session went today and was looking forward to tomorrow's second session.

"There was great value on offer across all levels of the market today," Chester said. "The astute buyers are here and they are delighted with how the sale is going for them."

"The Swettenham Stud dispersal was not surprisingly well received by buyers and again we thank the Sangster family for the honour of offering such a wonderful selection of young horses."

"We've got some really attractive weanlings to come over the next few days and we're sure the smart pinhookers will be in full swing," Chester summed up.

LEADING SIRES
(ranked by average - 2 or more sold)

$543,333 - Redoute's Choice - 3 sold
$427,500 - Encosta de Lago - 2 sold
$260,000 - More Than Ready - 3 sold
$170,000 - Exceed and Excel - 4 sold
$155,000 - Elusive Quality - 2 sold
$132,500 - Hussonet - 2 sold
$125,625 - Flying Spur - 4 sold
$102,500 - Galileo - 3 sold
$101,667 - Fastnet Rock - 3 sold
$91,000 - Anabaa - 3 sold
$85,000 - Stravinsky - 2 sold
$84,000 - Dehere - 4 sold
$80,625 - Commands - 4 sold

STATISTICS
(2007 Session One in brackets)

Lots Sold: 150 (215)
Sale Aggregate: $10,337,500 ($11,057,500)
Average Price: $68,917 ($51,428)
Top Price: $700,000 ($1,150,000)
Lots Withdrawn: 35 (77)
Lots Passed: 28 (25)
Lots Catalogued: 213 (278)
Sold %: 84.3 (90)