| Buyers seemed to take a
cautious approach during the first session of the Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale at
Morphettville today with a shaky start leading to a drop on last year's record figures. The sale looked in danger of recording a big decline with a number
of low prices and passed in lots during the early stages of the sale.
When the final horse catalogued for sale in the opening
session was knocked down for $50,000 the total gross of the 155 lots sold had reached an
impressive $5,863,000. This gave the session an average price of $37,826, about $3,000
down on last year's select sessions average.
However, Magic Millions will be hoping to make ground
tomorrow with what is expected to be a more competitive bidding session.
The early stages of the sale also had local MM manager Rob
Monsma feeling a little shaky. The clearance rate for the first 100 sales was down in the
low 60s, but it managed to make ground in the middle and latter stages to climb to a more
healthy 74.16%.
The honour of being the session topping yearling today was
shared between a Rubiton filly and Desert Prince colt. Both were sold in the final half
hour of selling this evening.
John Foote, acting as agent for Port Lincoln based
millionaire Tony Santic, grabbed the Desert Prince colt (ex Bella Serata) for $130,000,
while Brian Mayfield-Smith paid the same amount in the final moments for the full sister
to his flying filly Innovation Girl.
Queensland based Foote was one of the most active buyers
today, with seven purchases totalling $403,000. Other major buyers included Mick Price
(five for $249,500), Mark Kavanagh (three for $138,000), Rick Worthington (six for
$276,000), Rick Hore-Lacy (four for $217,500) and Graeme Rogerson (six for $331,000). |
