A new emerging international player in the Australian thoroughbred industry made a splash during today’s second session of the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

Hong Kong based businessman Cheng Ting Kong teamed up with leading dual state breeding operating Eliza Park to complete a successful sale with eight purchases including three of today’s five top sellers.

Among the $935,000 spend was the sale’s top seller, Erinvale Thoroughbreds’ Fastnet Rock colt from Sorority Girl who was knocked down for $290,000.

Eliza Park’s David O’Callaghan, who worked closely with the international investors, said the colt was a stand out.

“Mr Cheng really loves Fastnet Rock and thinks he is one of the most successful sires in the country,” O’Callaghan said.

“He’s a lovely colt and we hope he will become a top racehorse and perhaps even develop into a stallion.”

The colt is the second foal of a twice winning Stravinsky half sister to Group Two winning sire Happy Giggle and stakes performer Happy Spring.

Originally the Sun Kingdom/Eliza team was looking to buy some quality weanlings to trade.

“The market turned out very strong on quality lots, so we changed tack a bit and decided to buy lots who could be aimed at the racetrack.”

The sale is the first time the Sun International’s Sun Kingdom Australian arm had teamed up with Eliza Park at a major Australian auction.

O’Callaghan said the Sun Kingdom/Eliza outfit is hoping to pick up some nice mares when that sale starts tomorrow.

Following on from yesterday’s successful opening session, a further five youngsters sold for more than $200,000.

An Exceed and Excel filly from Up State, one of a select group of weanlings from Rothwell Park, was snapped up by the Sun Kingdom/Eliza team for $250,000.

A half sister to Sydney winner Westchester and Singapore’s Wassaic, the Exceed and Excel filly is from a winning Sadler’s Wells half sister to Longchamp Group One winner Lord of Men.

Three further weanlings – a filly and two colts – both sold for $210,000 during a solid session.

Lot 255, the Encosta de Lago-Rosa’s Spur filly from Bellerive Stud was purchased by renowned Queensland based bloodstock agent John Foote for $210,000.

The lovely chestnut filly is a half sister to popular Melbourne based stakes winner Members Joy. Both are from the group winning Flying Spur mare Rosa’s Spur.

A few lots later New South Wales agent Martin Byrne went to $210,000 to secure Kitchwin Hills’ much admired Snitzel colt from Royal Pageant.

From a winning Royal Academy blood sister to Academy Dancer, the colt is the fourth foal from his well related dam.

The other $210,000 sale today was for Lot 311, Rothwell Park’s Commands colt from top producer Terrenora.

A three quarter brother to Perth stakes winner Rebel Call, the bay colt was also purchased by the Sun Kingdom/Eliza parthersnip.

The two day select National Weanling Sale rounded out with over $8.5 million traded on 237 lots sold at an average price of $36,042. The clearance rate was a lofty 87 per cent.

“When you’re selling the best part of 9 from each 10 lots through the ring it tells us it’s been a fantastic sale,” Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox reported.

“Statistics across the board are well up on last year and that’s a wonderful way to kick off the National Sale series.”

“To see good participation from all corners of the globe is very rewarding and reflects well on the Australian bloodstock industry.”

A filly by Domesday topped a general session late this afternoon when purchased by Queensland’s Somme Lodge for $25,000.

Presented at the sale by Trevannah, the filly narrowly edged out a Captain Sonador colt who sold to South Australia’s Rebecca Hodson for $22,500.

The general session saw $186,800 change hands for 54 weanlings. The average price was $3,459 and the clearance rate was a healthy 89 per cent.

To view the select National Weanling Sale results and to make an offer on a passed in lot click here.

To view the general National Weanling Sale results and to make an offer on a passed in lot click here.

The scene is now set for the first session of the National Broodmare Sale from 10am tomorrow with an outstanding catalogue of fillies and mares to go under the hammer.

SALE STATISTICS
(2012 in brackets)

Lots Catalogued: 341 (370)
Sale Gross: $8,541,950 ($8,397,200)
Average Price: $36,042 ($34,415)
Top Price: $290,000 ($255,000)
Lots Sold: 237 (244)
Lots Withdrawn: 68 (62) 
Lots Passed In: 36 (64)
Sold %: 87 (79)

SESSION TWO TOP SELLERS

$290,000 – Fastnet Rock-Sorority Girl colt
Vendor: Erinvale Thoroughbreds (As Agent) / Buyer: Sun Kingdom/Eliza (Hong Kong)

$250,000 – Exceed and Excel-Up State filly
Rothwell Park (As Agent) / Sun Kingdom/Eliza (Hong Kong)

$210,000 – Encosta de Lago-Rosa’s Spur filly
Bellerive Stud (As Agent) / John Foote Bloodstock (Qld)

$210,000 – Snitzel-Royal Pagaent colt
Kitchwin Hills (As Agent) / Martin Byrne Bloodstock (NSW)

$210,000 – Commands-Terrenora colt
Rothwell Park (As Agent) / Sun Kingdom/Eliza (Hong Kong)

$140,000 – Wanted-Spectrum’s Image colt
Eliza Park (As Agent) / Mayfield Bloodstock (Vic)

$120,000 – Exceed and Excel-Undercover filly
Rothwell Park (As Agent) / Magic Millions as agent (NSW)

$105,000 – Wanted-Pieta filly
Widden Stud (As Agent) / Paul Willetts (NZ) 

$100,000 – Lonhro-Screen Legend colt
Erinvale Thoroughbreds (As Agent) / Paul Guy (Vic)