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Most of the pre-sale feeling was that this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale would be solid rather than spectacular, the majority of opinion prepared to settle for figures on a par with 2009, writes Darryl Sherer. And while the auctioneers had put on a brave show of talking the sale up before the first horse entered the ring, they must be satisfied with the opening session.
The session grossed $16.5 million - down 17 per cent on 2009 - at an average of $125,409 - down just 4.7 per cent from 2009's final sale average. The all-important clearance rate was hovering just above the satisfactory level at 73 per cent. As Magic Millions managing director David Chester observed later, "The sale today was very much a buyers' market by a long way."
Relevantly for the top-end of the market, no lot sold for more than $500,000. Last year, three yearlings brought $1 million or more, headed by an Encosta de Lago colt that sold to Gai Waterhouse for $2 million.
The session's top lot came midway through the day in the shape of a good-looking brother to this season's Ascot Vale Stakes (Gr 1) winner Headway. The Charge Forward colt (pictured) was consigned by Stuart Ramsey's Turannga Stud and after an opening bid of $100,000 a fairly rapid fire exchange of bids came, the final nod belonging to trainer Peter Moody at $500,000.
Ramsey is one of Moody's biggest owners and the Caulfield trainer explained afterwards that because of his close association with Ramsey, he had been watching the colt from the time he was foaled. "I've liked him all the way through and if Headway can win the Lightning Stakes he'll be cheap," said Moody, who spent nearly $1 million on five yearlings.
The session's top lot came midway through the day in the shape of a good-looking brother to this season's Ascot Vale Stakes (Gr 1) winner Headway. The Charge Forward colt (pictured) was consigned by Stuart Ramsey's Turannga Stud and after an opening bid of $100,000 a fairly rapid fire exchange of bids came, the final nod belonging to trainer Peter Moody at $500,000.
Ramsey is one of Moody's biggest owners and the Caulfield trainer explained afterwards that because of his close association with Ramsey, he had been watching the colt from the time he was foaled. "I've liked him all the way through and if Headway can win the Lightning Stakes he'll be cheap," said Moody, who spent nearly $1 million on five yearlings.
Having trained the colt's dam Chatelaine to stakes success and more recently produced her high class daughter Headway on the racetrack it was no surprise to see Caulfield based trainer Peter Moody put his hand up for yesterday's top priced lot.
"I went to my outer limit and bought him on spec in the hope that I can get a few stable clients into him. He is currently 100% available." said Moody. "He's a lovely athletic colt and is taller and stands over more ground than his sister."
"I have a strong affiliation with the family and I have trained Charge Forward's only two stakeswinners so I thought why not."
Story: ANZ Bloodstock News
Photo: Sportpix