Australia, 1 June 2009

Figures decline at National Weanling Sale

An outstanding filly by Stravinsky sold for $200,000 and topped the opening day of the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast on Sunday, when 163 lots were sold for an aggregate of $4,012,000, a 62% decline on 2008, which was bolstered by the Swettenham Stud dispersal.

The average declined by 65% to $24,613, but the clearance rate was a healthy 80%.

The sale topper, offered by Coolmore Stud, was snapped up by Queensland based thoroughbred outfit, Figtree Thoroughbreds.

She is the first living foal of the former stakes winning Canny Lad galloper Irongail - a winner of seven races and over $322,000 in prizemoney.

The filly will now be prepared for the 2010 Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast where she is sure to be one of the most admired fillies at that sale.

She was one of six weanlings to sell for over $100,000 on day one of the region's top weanling auction.

Magic Millions Managing Director David Chester said the current economic conditions assisted buyers in picking up some exceptional value during the first session.

"Last year our catalogue was boosted by the outstanding dispersal of weanlings from the Swettenham Stud operation. And at that time the economy was strong and bidding was frantic. This time around the buyers are getting some incredible value. The quality weanlings are proving popular and the buyers are overall very happy. The average price today of $24,613 is obviously well down from last year's sale figure of $46,000."

"We are pleased with the clearance rate of 80 per cent for a first session - hopefully that figure and also that of the average will climb tomorrow."

SESSION ONE STATISTICS

Lots Sold: 163
Session Aggregate: $4,012,000
Average Price: $24,613
Top Price: $200,000
Lots Withdrawn: 45
Lots Passed: 42
Lots Catalogued: 250
Sold %: 80

SESSION ONE TOP SELLERS

$200,000 - Stravinsky-Irongail filly
Vendor: Coolmore Stud (As Agent) / Buyer: Fig Tree Thoroughbreds (Qld)

$155,000 - More Than Ready-Yes She Can Cancan colt
Vinery Stud (As Agent) / Hassen Adams (Sth Africa)

$150,000 - Holy Roman Emperor-Foil filly
Coolmore Stud (As Agent) / Deburgh Equine Ltd (Ireland)

$150,000 - Encosta de Lago-Ocean Pearl colt
Coolmore Stud (As Agent) / Lucas Bloodstock (Qld)

$130,000 - Encosta de Lago-Crystalina filly
Coolmore Stud (As Agent) / Magic Millions as agent (Sth Africa)

$120,000 - Exceed and Excel-Big Step filly
Bylong Park Thoroughbreds / Paul Willetts (NZ)

$82,500 - Testa Rossa-Rhone Ranger colt
Willow Park Stud (As Agent) / Belmont Bloodstock Agency (Vic)

$82,500 - Dehere-Taittinger filly
Arrowfield Stud (As Agent) / Robert Roulston Bloodstock (Vic)

$80,000 - Testa Rossa-Otravez colt
Vinery Stud (As Agent) / Alan Tait (NZ)

$80,000 - Exceed and Excel-Play Along filly
Attunga Stud (As Agent) / Magic Millions as agent (Sth Africa)

$80,000 - More Than Ready-Sultry filly
Vinery Stud (As Agent) / FMC Pty Ltd (WA)