 The
strong start to the Gold Coast Yearling Sale yesterday has continued today after a solid
second session.Magic Millions Director John
Singleton was able to top the session with his Danehill filly (ex Strawberry Girl) which
was knocked down for $650,000.
The filly was sold to David Lamond.
The day's expected topper, a half sister to champion mare
Sunline, failed to sell after falling short of its reserve.
A total of 180 yearlings were sold today for a gross total of
$15,794,000, at an average price of $87,744.
The session's average was down on the corresponding period
last year, however that was mainly due to the 2001 sale of the $1 million Sunday Silence
filly.
One pleasing aspect to today's session was the increase in
the clearance rate, which rose from 75% yesterday to 86%.
Over the first two sessions some 282 yearlings have sold for
a gross of $24,504,000, an average of $86,894.
 During today's session two high priced
lots - a $625,000 Grand Lodge colt and a $525,000 Octagonal colt - were snapped up by Tim
Boland acting as agent for Dubai based Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum. Boland also
picked two other colts, both by colonial sires Snippets and Rory's Jester for $150,000 and
$130,000 respectively during the first session.
The first of the two Sunday Silence fillies was sold to
international trainer Graeme Rogerson for $420,000.
After buying four yearlings yesterday, Auckland based
bloodstock expert Rob McAnulty was again in the thick of the action. McAnulty has now
purchased eight youngsters for a total of $587,500.
 Another New Zealander Paul Moroney, the
brother of leading trans Tasman trainer Mike, has forked out $662,500 to date for six
yougsters - five fillies and one colt.
Mark Pilkington is currently the leading individual purchaser
with eleven yearlings which total $1,365,000.
Graeme Rogerson has also been busy. His ten buys so far have
totalled $1,242,000.
The Denise Martin led Star Thoroughbreds have now picked up
eight for a total of $380,000.
Local bloodstock agent John Foote has purchased six horses
for $757,500, most are likely to join the David Hall stable for his millionaire owner Tony
Santic. |
