Melito’s full brother by Redoute’s Choice took the honours on a strong day of selling at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale this afternoon.
Offered by Reavill Farm late in the session, the colt attracted a sale topping final bid of $750,000 enough to see leading Sydney trainer Gerald Ryan snap up the prized youngster.
“There’s a lot to like about him,” Ryan said moments after signing for the youngster.
“He is very athletic and is a good mover. I wasn’t sure whether I’d buy him or not until I saw him out the back there just before he went into the ring.”
“I looked at him and thought – he’s a good horse – just buy him, so I did.”
“Melito was a top mare for the stable and she’s now at stud and in foal.”
“This bloke looks a more early type than his sister – so he could certainly be one for the race next year.”
Ryan is hoping his good luck in the sale ring will stretch on to the track tomorrow with the stable’s star youngster Amorino running in the $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
“He’ll win,” Ryan said with a hint of confidence.
The sale gross has now reached almost $52 million after three sessions – boasting an impressive average price of $127,684 for 407 lots sold.
The impressive clearance rate of 82 per cent last night has risen again to 84 per cent overall.
Gai Waterhouse and James Harron continued their buying spree with a number of top purchases today including the More Than Ready-Aqua D’Amore colt for $680,000.
Colts by Sebring (ex Valda Merceda for $450,000) and Fastnet Rock (ex Allow for $400,000) also proved popular with buyers.
“Today was pretty much like yesterday,” Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox said.
“There was some spirited bidding around the complex and it’s great to see the clearance rate at 84 per cent – that is quite phenomenal.”
“We’ve got a lovely line up in tomorrow night’s fourth session and hopefully that clearance will hold strongly.”
The third session of the sale will be held from 6pm (Qld time) tomorrow following the $4.3 million Magic Millions Raceday at the neighbouring Gold Coast Turf Club.
To view the online results click here.
SESSION THREE TOP SELLERS
$750,000 – Redoute’s Choice-Cloister colt
Vendor: Reavill Farm / Buyer: Gerald Ryan
$680,000 – More Than Ready-Aqua D’Amore colt
Newgate Farm (As Agent) / Gai Waterhouse & James Harron B’stock
$450,000 – Sebring-Valda Merceda colt
Murrulla Stud (As Agent) / Ronstel Thoroughbreds
$400,000 – Fastnet Rock-Allow colt
Newhaven Park (As Agent) / Magic Millions as agent
$360,000 – More Than Ready-Waterwise colt
Baramul Stud / Segenhoe Stud
SALE STATISTICS
Lots Catalogued: 540 (575)
Sale Gross: $51,967,500 ($52,551,000)
Average Price: $127,684 ($125,121)
Median Price: $100,000 ($90,000)
Top Price: $960,000 ($1,150,000)
Lots Sold: 407 (420)
Lots Withdrawn: 55 (50)
Lots Passed In: 78 (105)
Sold %: 84 (80)
LEADING BUYERS
(ranked by total spend)
$4,632,500 – Gai Waterhouse & James Harron B’stock – 19 lots
$2,335,000 – Hong Kong Jockey Club – 9 lots
$2,020,000 – Segenhoe Stud – 6 lots
$1,860,000 – Star Thoroughbreds – 13 lots
$1,330,000 – Gerald Ryan – 4 lots
$1,240,000 – Moody Racing Pty Ltd – 9 lots
