The first major yearling sale of the season has ended on a high with the four-day Magic Millions premium sale realising a gross of more than $75 million.
Gai Waterhouse was the biggest buyer, outlaying more than $8 million for 39 lots including the sale topping $1 million Redoute’s Choice-Hades colt she bought on Friday.
She will also get another 15 youngsters to train with Round Table Racing spending more than $2 million.
Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds bought 19 yearlings for more than $2.4 million with all to go to Sydney trainer Chris Waller who was active with 10 yearlings costing more than $2.3 million.
A colt by More Than Ready out of Polaway fetched $600,000, the highest price of the Saturday night session. The colt was bought by newly-licensed Sydney trainer Bryce Heys.
“Physically he was as an impressive colt as there was on the sale ground,” Heys said. “He thought he was the best colt in the sale.”
“He’s got the pedigree to back it up. He’s a generation away from a Golden Slipper winner and I bought him with a profile to graduate to that race.”
At the end of the evening session, the average price was $144,000, an increase on last year.
“Vendors presented an outstanding draft of yearlings that sold well above expectations,” Magic Millions managing director Vin Cox said.
“The market was very strong and it was also very consistent. The buyers were willing to participate across all levels of the market and that created a magical vibe.”
On Saturday afternoon, Waterhouse won three races at the Magic Millions day with participants restricted to horses bought at Magic Millions sales throughout the country.
The main race, the $2 million Magic Millions Classic, went to the Bjorn Baker-trained Unencumbered, a $70,000 yearling at the 2013 Gold Coast sale.
The yearling focus switches next week to Sydney for the Inglis Summer Classic sale then moves to New Zealand for NZ Bloodstock’s Premier Sale at Karaka in Auckland.
