At A Glance
>> James Harron secured the top lot of the day, paying $220,000 for a Spirit of Boom colt, one of ten by the Eureka Stud sire which sold on the day
>> There were seven lots go for $100,000 or more on Day 1 as opposed to 15 in 2018, while there were just four in that bracket in 2017
>> Day 1 average was down from $43,399 last year to $32,872, but that is well up on the $29,880 of 2017
>> Median was a slightly flat $22,000, down on the $26,000 on Day 1 last year and down from the $23,000 of the year before
>> Clearance rate reached 73%, well short of the 77% at the conclusion of Day 1 last year
>> Aggregate sales at the half way point are $4.37 million, putting the sale on track to match the gross of two years ago
More Boom for Harron
James Harron secured the top lot for the day, purchasing Lot 144, the colt by Spirit of Boom out of Weekend Surprise (Rubiton) for $220,000 from the KBL Thoroughbreds draft after a hectic bidding war.
Lot 144 Spirit of Boom x Weekend Surprise colt
The dam has produced nine horses to the track, all winners, including G3 MVRC Champagne S. winner Dan Baroness (Statue of Liberty (USA)}, while the second dam, Seaside Attraction (Godswalk {USA}) is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Pride of Rancho (Rancho Ruler).
It was Harron's only purchase for the day, having also bought just one horse, also by Spirit of Boom, at the sale last year.
"I was really taken with his attitude. He has a fantastic demeanour and was beautifully presented. He uses himself really well. He's a good, strong and robust early looking type," Harron said of the colt who will be trained by Peter and Paul Snowden.
First Light seize Better chance
First Light Racing went to $120,000 to secure the top lot by Better Than Ready, a colt catalogued as Lot 78 and offered by Kynoch Thoroughbreds at Toowoomba.
Lot 78 Better Than Ready x Shine Bridge colt
He is out of the Group 1 winning imported mare Shine Bridge (Arg) (Westbridge {USA}), the sister to two Argentine stakes winners, who has already had three winners to the track.
"Better Than Ready is obviously the leading first-season sire in Australia and he had another big winner on Saturday in the QTIS Jewel so he’s proving to be a phenomenal sire. We really wanted to get a Better Than Ready into the team and on type he’s a colt we absolutely loved," Ashleigh Dowley, First Light Racing's Bloodstock Manager, said.
"He’s strong, he’s quite forward and he’s very quiet as well so there’s a lot to like about him. You can see just by looking at him why we love him - he’s got a lot of strength about him, a lovely big girth, massive hindquarter and we think he’s one of the nicest colts on the ground here."
The colt will be prepared by new training partnership Chris Anderson and Robert Heathcote.
"He’s off to a great stable in Brisbane and we’re happy to be keeping him in Queensland and racing him with the team up here while chasing that QTIS prize money," Dowley said. "It’s a great scheme to be involved in and we’re really excited, we think he’ll be very popular."
Lot 78 will be prepared by new training partnership Chris Anderson and Robert Heathcote.
Anderson and Heathcote went on their own to secure the equal highest-priced filly of the day, Lot 24 by Rich Enuff, offered by the stallion's former home at Glenlogan Park.
Lot 24 Rich Enuff x Personal Guarantee filly
She benefited from a pedigree boost from the talented filly Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), who won the G2 Phar Lap S. on Saturday. That filly and this one both descend from the mare Chalet Girl (Imposing), the half-sister to Danewin and Commands. Her daughter, Personal Guarantee (Danzero), the dam of this filly, has already produced the three-time winner Sure Deal (Real Saga).
Also going for $110,000 was Lot 83, a Spirit of Boom filly on offer from Eureka Stud. Chris Munce was the successful bidder having tasted terrific success with the progeny of the sire, including Boomsara, who won this year's Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
Boomer Bloodstock, who bought the top lot at last year's March Sale, paid $110,000 for Lot 56, a Better Than Ready colt out of Rosaria (More Than Ready {USA}) from Deejay Bloodstock. The dam, a three-quarter sister to Rosa's Image, Rosa's Joy and Rosa's Path, has already produced two winners.
The other two six-figure lots both went to Tony Gollan/John Foote. They were a Spill the Beans filly, Lot 37 from Lucas Bloodstock and Lot 195, an I Am Invincible colt from Aquis Farm from the family of Bentley Biscuit.
Boom, Ready dominant
It was no surprise that Spirit of Boom topped the first day sires' aggregates, selling 10 for a total of $723,000, while 13 Better Than Readys sold for an aggregate of $717,500 and an average of $55,192.
Spirit of Boom
First-season sire Rich Enuff led overall sire averages with his three lots going for an average of $72,333, while Spill The Beans led first-season aggregates as well as overall volume, with 16 lots sold for a total of $457,000.
The homes of the two dominant stallions, Eureka Stud ($641,500) and Lyndhurst Stud ($506,500) were the leading vendors on aggregate, while KBL Thoroughbreds continued its terrific sales season with four lots sold at a vendor-leading average of $89,375.
The leading buyer on the day was Group 1 Pty Ltd, who bought nine yearlings for a total of $276,000, while Mishani Enterprises, Riyue Trading, Munce Racing and Michael Sherrin all bought four yearlings apiece on Day 1.
"Last year's sale broke all records and while this year's figures are down, the sale is tracking well when compared to the 2017 auction," Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. "We're hopeful the figures will continue to improve."
"Vendors as a whole are very willing to meet the market and for the buyers there is a huge opportunity for value."
"Given the bonus prizemoney available through the QTIS scheme and the amount of winners that this sale produces, buyers should be stepping in with confidence," Bowditch added.
Day 2 kicks off at 10am local time on Tuesday.
Leaderboard
Top Lots
144 | KBL Thoroughbreds, Beaudesert, Qld (As Agent) | C | Spirit of Boom (AUS) | Weekend Surprise (AUS) | James Harron Bloodstock | NSW | $220,000 |
78 | Kynoch Thoroughbreds, Toowoomba, Qld | C | Better Than Ready (AUS) | Shine Bridge (ARG) | First Light/Paul Willetts/Anderson Heathcote Rcg | VIC | $120,000 |
83 | Eureka Stud, Cambooya, Qld (As Agent) | F | Spirit of Boom (AUS) | Silva Nova (AUS) | Munce Racing | QLD | $110,000 |
56 | DeeJay Bloodstock, Maroon, Qld | C | Better Than Ready (AUS) | Rosaria (AUS) | Brenden Mackay/Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) | NSW | $110,000 |
24 | Glenlogan Park, Innisplain, Qld | F | Rich Enuff (AUS) | Personal Guarantee (AUS) | Anderson Heathcote Racing | QLD | $110,000 |
195 | Aquis Farm Operations, Murrurundi, NSW (As Agent for Aquis Farm) | C | I Am Invincible (AUS) | Bikini Star (AUS) | Gollan Racing/John Foote Bloodstock | QLD | $100,000 |
37 | Lucas Bloodstock, Croftby, Qld (As Agent for G K Bell & L M Steven) | F | Spill the Beans (AUS) | Precious Darl (AUS) | Gollan Racing/John Foote Bloodstock | QLD | $100,000 |
51 | Lyndhurst Stud Farm, Warwick, Qld | F | Better Than Ready (AUS) | Ridolfi (AUS) | Proven Thoroughbreds/Steven O'Dea Racing | NSW | $85,000 |
133 | Kenmore Lodge, Wyreema, Qld (As Agent for Embrook Stables) | C | Wandjina (AUS) | Upper Notch (AUS) | Group 1 Pty Ltd | QLD | $82,500 |
1 | Eureka Stud, Cambooya, Qld (As Agent) | C | Deep Field (AUS) | Nakedindaspa (AUS) | Anderson Heathcote Rcg/Morley BS/David Giesemann | QLD | $82,500 |
Top Sires by Average
Rich Enuff (AUS) | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | $217,000 | $110,000 | $72,333 |
Spirit of Boom (AUS) | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | $723,000 | $220,000 | $72,300 |
Better Than Ready (AUS) | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | $717,500 | $120,000 | $55,192 |
Love Conquers All (AUS) | 13 | 6 | 7 | 0 | $175,000 | $50,000 | $29,167 |
Spill the Beans (AUS) | 21 | 16 | 3 | 2 | $457,000 | $100,000 | $28,563 |
Bel Esprit (AUS) | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | $191,000 | $55,000 | $27,286 |
Casino Prince (AUS) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | $74,500 | $42,500 | $24,833 |
Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | $119,000 | $36,000 | $23,800 |
Jabali (AUS) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | $60,000 | $20,000 | $20,000 |
Whittington (AUS) | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | $131,000 | $30,000 | $18,714 |
Top Sires by Aggregate
Spirit of Boom (AUS) | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | $723,000 | $220,000 | $72,300 |
Better Than Ready (AUS) | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | $717,500 | $120,000 | $55,192 |
Spill the Beans (AUS) | 21 | 16 | 3 | 2 | $457,000 | $100,000 | $28,563 |
Rich Enuff (AUS) | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | $217,000 | $110,000 | $72,333 |
Bel Esprit (AUS) | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | $191,000 | $55,000 | $27,286 |
Love Conquers All (AUS) | 13 | 6 | 7 | 0 | $175,000 | $50,000 | $29,167 |
Whittington (AUS) | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | $131,000 | $30,000 | $18,714 |
Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | $119,000 | $36,000 | $23,800 |
Wandjina (AUS) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | $115,000 | $82,500 | $57,500 |
Star Witness (AUS) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | $107,500 | $60,000 | $53,750 |
Top Vendors by Average
Kynoch Thoroughbreds Toowoomba Qld | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | $120,000 | $120,000 | $120,000 |
DeeJay Bloodstock Maroon Qld | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | $110,000 | $110,000 | $110,000 |
Glenlogan Park Innisplain Qld | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | $110,000 | $110,000 | $110,000 |
KBL Thoroughbreds Beaudesert Qld | 17 | 4 | 2 | 1 | $357,500 | $220,000 | $89,375 |
Roona Lodge Warwick Qld | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | $157,500 | $80,000 | $52,500 |
Tipuana Farms Boonah Qld | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 |
Jorson Farm South Burnett Qld | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | $87,000 | $60,000 | $43,500 |
Lyndhurst Stud Farm Warwick Qld | 38 | 12 | 4 | 1 | $506,500 | $85,000 | $42,208 |
Lucas Bloodstock Croftby Qld | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | $167,500 | $100,000 | $41,875 |
Kenmore Lodge Wyreema Qld | 17 | 7 | 1 | 0 | $288,000 | $82,500 | $41,143 |
Top Vendors by Aggregate
Eureka Stud Cambooya Qld | 42 | 16 | 6 | 3 | $641,500 | $110,000 | $40,094 |
Lyndhurst Stud Farm Warwick Qld | 38 | 12 | 4 | 1 | $506,500 | $85,000 | $42,208 |
KBL Thoroughbreds Beaudesert Qld | 17 | 4 | 2 | 1 | $357,500 | $220,000 | $89,375 |
Kenmore Lodge Wyreema Qld | 17 | 7 | 1 | 0 | $288,000 | $82,500 | $41,143 |
Aquis Farm Operations Murrurundi NSW | 16 | 7 | 3 | 1 | $217,000 | $100,000 | $31,000 |
Raheen Stud Darling Downs Qld | 29 | 7 | 3 | 4 | $185,500 | $47,500 | $26,500 |
Lucas Bloodstock Croftby Qld | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | $167,500 | $100,000 | $41,875 |
Oakwood Farm Haigslea Qld | 20 | 6 | 4 | 4 | $158,000 | $50,000 | $26,333 |
Roona Lodge Warwick Qld | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | $157,500 | $80,000 | $52,500 |
Gleeson Thoroughbred Connections Chinchilla Qld | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | $129,000 | $80,000 | $32,250 |
Top Buyers
James Harron Bloodstock | 1 | $220,000 | $220,000 | $220,000 |
First Light/Paul Willetts/Anderson Heathcote Rcg | 2 | $164,000 | $120,000 | $82,000 |
Munce Racing | 4 | $252,500 | $110,000 | $63,125 |
Brenden Mackay/Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) | 2 | $160,000 | $110,000 | $80,000 |
Anderson Heathcote Racing | 1 | $110,000 | $110,000 | $110,000 |
Gollan Racing/John Foote Bloodstock | 2 | $200,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
Proven Thoroughbreds/Steven O'Dea Racing | 4 | $217,000 | $85,000 | $54,250 |
Group 1 Pty Ltd | 9 | $276,000 | $82,500 | $30,667 |
Anderson Heathcote Rcg/Morley BS/David Giesemann | 1 | $82,500 | $82,500 | $82,500 |
Toby Edmonds & Aquis Farm | 1 | $80,000 | $80,000 | $80,000 |