Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
The Sale delivered amazing year-on-year growth, with the average of $91,175 up from $68,546 on Day 1 last year, while the median leapt to $70,000 ($51,250) and the gross to $12.8 million ($8.9 million).
The only metric that didn't exceed last year's number, as yet, was the clearance rate, but at 85 per cent was shadowing last year's mark of 86.7 per cent.
Local trainers dominated the buyers' list, headed by Adam Durrant, who purchased 12 yearlings for $1.52 million. Simon Miller also purchased 12, spending $1.22 million. 135 of the 140 yearlings sold were purchased by WA buyers.
Amelia Park had an outstanding day, selling three horses for $230,000 or more, and leading all vendors on average.
Playing God was the dominant stallion in terms of total spend, with $1.545 million across 13 sales, and in terms of the top lot, with John Chalmers Bloodstock (FBAA) going to $330,000 for Lot 174 from Willaview Park.
Demand for fillies saw them win the battle of the sexes with the average price on $92,375 compared to the colts on $91,512.
Lot 29, a Russian Revolution filly which secured $320,000, is headed across the Nullarbor after Mark Pilkington Management (FBAA) purchased her.
Lot 86, a So You Think (NZ) colt from Lynward Park Stud, also sold for $320,000 and remains in WA with Durrant, along with Lot 177, the Deep Field colt which cost the Karnup trainer $300,000.
Chalmers leaves it late
Respected bloodstock agent John Chalmers (FBAA) saved his best for last on Day 1 of the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, prevailing in a determined bidding duel to pay $330,000 for Lot 174, a Playing God colt who sold as the fifth last lot on the day.
Lot 174 - Playing God x Moodometer (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The result smashed the previous best price for a yearling by Darling View Thoroughbreds' Playing God, which stood at $200,000, and went within $10,000 of matching the best price-ever at this Sale.
“He’s a big, scopey colt,” Chalmers said. “He’s a full brother to a stakes placegetter and the cross works.”
“I won’t disclose who the owner is, but he really wanted him,” Chalmers added.
The colt was offered by Willaview Park on behalf of his breeder Peter Diamond, who raced his dam Moodometer (Pricelessly {USA}), a winner of the G3 WA Oaks. She is the dam of five winners, including Lot 174's Listed-placed sister Mood Goddess.
“We are ecstatic to say the least,” a beaming Claire Williamson of Willaview said. “We knew he was a beautiful colt, but we didn’t think he would make that sort of money.
"We knew he (Lot 174) was a beautiful colt, but we didn’t think he would make that sort of money." - Claire Williamson
“But since he was at the sales people kept pulling him out of the box and they just loved him. We knew there were genuine strong bidders for him but it’s a really, really nice surprise – we are stoked.
“He’s literally a machine – a really outstanding looking horse – really a one-off type.”
Moodometer is in foal to Playing God once again, having visited him for five of the past six seasons.
Playing God | Standing at Darling View Thoroughbreds
The late drama was not over however, as a Deep Field colt from the draft of Willow Dale Farm, Lot 177, was secured for $300,000 to the day's leading buyer, Adam Durrant.
He was the fourth lot on the day to break the $300,000 barrier, with the colt bred by Kingstar Farm out of Ms Mazetti, a winning daughter of Lonhro who has already produced three winners. She was initially purchased by Kingstar in 2018 for $55,000 and has now returned that investment quite significantly.
His second dam, Amarezetti (Commands) was Group-placed, while further back in the pedigree are Group 1 winners I Like Diamonds (Baguette) and Hill of Grace (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Ms Mazetti has a Tassort filly weanling and then visited Lord Of The Sky last spring.
Lot 177 - Deep Field x Ms Mazetti (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Pedigree has Pilkington Russian to buy
Bloodstock agent Mark Pilkington, buying as per usual for Seymour Bloodstock, swooped for Lot 29, the much-anticipated Russian Revolution filly offered by Amelia Park.
The filly is the first foal from the smart Amelia Park-bred mare Samovare (Savabeel), who won a G3 WA Champion Fillies' S. and was placed in seven other stakes races.
Lot 29 - Russian Revolution x Samovare (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Samovare is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Tiger Of Malay (Extreme Choice) and G3 Asian Beau S. winner Samizdat (Not A Single Doubt), who topped this Sale when sold for $325,000 in 2017, and who still holds the honour, just, as the most expensive yearling filly ever sold in Western Australia.
"I just loved the proven, current black-type pedigree. She was a high-class mare and Russian Revolution has sired a couple of high-class fillies in recent times. He looks the goods," Pilkington said.
"I just loved the proven, current black-type pedigree. She (Lot 29) was a high-class mare and Russian Revolution has sired a couple of high-class fillies in recent times." - Mark Pilkington
"She was well recommended by many at the Sale as a scopey filly that should love a mile at three."
Pilkington said he expected breeders Peter Walsh and Brian Bradley to remain in the filly, who will race in the Seymour Bloodstock colours.
"She’s by no means a steal at the money so I phoned the breeders to remind them how fortuitous we were at Seymour Bloodstock when the buyers of our (Inglis) Millennium winner Xtravagant Star offered us the opportunity to come back into the ownership of her and suggested they do the same," he said.
Mark Pilkington | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
"We’re hopeful they will and once the ownership group is finalised a trainer will be agreed upon. She’s a BOBS filly which probably explains the number of Sydney-based trainers who have rung to put their hat into the ring."
Pilkington said valuing a filly of that pedigree in the Perth market was less than straightforward.
"The thoroughbred market remains so strong that I’m not sure how to ascertain what exactly is value. I just hope we’re right and the filly can run," he said.
"The thoroughbred market remains so strong that I’m not sure how to ascertain what exactly is value. I just hope we’re right and the filly (Lot 29) can run." - Mark Pilkington
It is the second year in a row that Russian Revolution has made a mark in Perth, having had a colt from his first crop sell for $325,000 to top the 2021 Perth Yearling Sale. The young Newgate stallion currently leads the race to be crowned Australia's Champion First Season Sire, with five winners to date, highlighted by the Group 2 winner Russian Conquest.
Big opening day for Amelia Park
The result for the Russian Revolution filly was marked with much joy by Amelia Park, with Amelia Park Farm Manager Sarah Brown saying the price has exceeded their initial expectations.
"We are over the moon, Perth is a hard market to make $300,000 in, so when you break that, you can't be unhappy," she said.
The Amelia Park Farm team | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"Obviously her pedigree is impeccable, but on type, she's athletic, she's correct, she's got good bone and she had got a little bit of class."
Brown agreed with Pilkington, that the filly would benefit with a bit of time to develop, but with the class to make quick progress when she does make the track.
"I think she'll take a bit of time. She's a first foal, so she will need that time to mature and being out of a Savabeel mare. I wouldn't expect her to be an early 2-year-old, maybe later in the 2-year-old season," she said.
"I think she'll (Lot 29) take a bit of time. She's a first foal, so she will need that time to mature and being out of a Savabeel mare." - Sarah Brown
Samovare has since produced a filly by Exceed And Excel before visiting Snitzel on a November cover last year.
Amelia Park also got an outstanding result for Lot 76, a filly by Nicconi, out of Amelia's Love (Blackfriars), who is headed to Simon Miller for $250,000.
The filly's dam is out of Group 3 winner Card Queen (Final Card), making her a half-sister to Group 3 and R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Karuta Queen (Not A Single Doubt).
Lot 76 - Nicconi x Amelia's Love (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Walsh's focus on eastern state stallions paid strong dividends with another Amelia Park filly, Lot 125 by Toronado (Ire) selling for $230,000 to Group 1-winning trainer Vern Brockman.
A half-sister to recent Listed-placed performer La Farola (Deep Field), she is from the stakes-placed Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire) mare Europa Point. That is the family of the Brian Bradley-bred G1 VRC Oaks winner Special Harmony (Spinning World {USA}) and the recent G2 Light Fingers S. winner Fangirl (Sebring).
All in all, Amelia Park had six horses sell for a combined $1.15 million, making it the top vendor on average ($185,833). Western Breeders Alliance led all vendors on aggregate with $1.22 million in sales.
Vern Brockman | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"We were a little worried. We've got a draft that attracts a lot of eastern states buyers, but we were worried not having the foot traffic here," Brown said.
"But the WA buyers are buying well and so we are really happy with how it is going."
Durrant stretches for So You Think
Midway through the session Durrant secured Lot 86, a So You Think (NZ) colt from Lynward Park Stud for what was then the equal top price of $320,000.
Adam Durrant | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The colt's dam, Black In Time (Blackfriars), has produced five winners in all, four of them metro winners. Black In Time was stakes-placed on multiple occasions and is a sister to two stakes winners, Impact Rating and Full Reign, and a three-quarter sister to Listed winner Exquisite Timing.
Black In Time, who was purchased by Lynward Park Stud's van Heemst family at this Sale in 2006, had a Star Turn colt last year before visiting Lynward Park resident Bondi last year.
Durrant had picked up a So You Think filly earlier in the session, paying $70,000 for Lot 38, also from Lynward Park Stud. That filly is out of another stakes-performed mare with a track record of producing winners, Simplyirresistible (Royal Academy {USA}).
Lot 86 - So You Think (NZ) x Black in Time (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Early in the Sale, it was Neville Parnham going to $200,000 for a So You Think filly, Lot 2, from Yarradale Stud. She is out of Swiss Ace mare Nordic Gem (NZ), the daughter of Group 1-placed mare Rose Of Dane (Danehill {USA}), who produced the stakes-placed pair Lauradane (General Nediym) and Marseille En Fleur (NZ) (Swiss Ace).
Coolmore's So You Think averaged $175,000, the highest of any stallion with three or more sold. Darling View Thoroughbreds' Playing God led all stallions on aggregate with $1.545 million across 13 sales
Love at first sight
Bunbury businessman Daniel Love struck later in the session to secure Lot 154, a Trapeze Artist colt from the draft of Willow Dale Farm for $270,000 for his Mega Holdings Group.
The colt was bred by Dorrington Farm's Robert Crabtree and is the lone foal out of G1 WATC Gimcrack S. winner Kiss Bang Love (Demerit), who was purchased by Crabtree in foal with this colt for $165,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale.
Lot 154 - Trapeze Artist x Kiss Bang Love (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
He was the only member of Widden Stud's Trapeze Artist's first crop in the catalogue.
The fillies' market proved incredibly strong at the top end, with Lot 135, a daughter of Magnus offered by Scenic Lodge, selling for $230,000.
Local company Bavcon purchased Lot 135, who is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Battle Hero (Stratum) from the O'Reilly (NZ) mare Fromm.
In other highlights, the Universal Ruler half-brother to Group 1 winner Portland Sky (Deep Field) heads to local trainer Jason Miller, after he went to $200,000 for Lot 39, from the draft of Dawson Stud.
The colt is out of Sky Rumba (Shrewd Rhythm), who as well as G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Portland Sky, who was an $85,000 graduate from this Sale three years ago, has produced the recent winner Above the Flag (Blackfriars).
Miller said the pricetag was significant but well and truly worth it for a colt of such pedigree and profile.
Lot 39 - Universal Ruler x Sky Rumba (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"He's a half to a Group 1 winner and his breeding really stands out, he is a lovely colt and we thought that was the right price range," he said.
"My mate Gupta from down south, they were looking for a nice horse and were interested in that one. He was a cracking colt and we were glad to have him in board."
Magic Millions WA Manager David Houston was understandably very pleased with the day's trade.
“It was a super day’s selling,” he said. “The fact we’ve had to overcome all these obstacles makes it even more impressive.
“We’ve been locked out and isolated and had to transfer the Sale dates – but we still had the support of not only vendors but also the buying bench to get such a sensational result."
David Houston | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Houston said the local buying bench had invested heavily in the local Sale – buying all but five lots.
“There was competition from the east but the locals were too strong. The Westspeed bonus money is sensational, but even horses that weren’t bonus qualified were well sought-after," he said.
“It’s great to see the younger trainers getting into the action as well with the likes of Ryan Hill – who was actually underbidder on the top seller.”
Book 2 of the Sale, featuring Lots 179 through 338, will be offered on Wednesday with the session starting at 10am local (1pm AEDT).
Top lots
| 174 | Playing God | Moodometer | C | Willaview Park | John Chalmers Bloodstock (FBAA) | $330,000 |
| 29 | Russian Revolution | Samovare | F | Amelia Park & Breeding Pty Ltd | Mark Pilkington Management (FBAA) | $320,000 |
| 86 | So You Think | Black In Time | C | Lynward Park Stud | Adam Durrant | $320,000 |
| 177 | Deep Field | Ms Mazetti | C | Willow Dale Farm | Adam Durrant | $300,000 |
| 154 | Trapeze Artist | Kiss Bang Love | C | Willow Dale Farm | Mega Holdings Pty Ltd | $270,000 |
| 76 | Nicconi | Amelia's Love | C | Amelia Park & Breeding Pty Ltd | Simon Miller Racing | $250,000 |
| 125 | Toronado | Europa Point | F | Amelia Park & Breeding Pty Ltd | Vern Brockman | $230,000 |
| 135 | Magnus | Fromm | F | Scenic Lodge | Bavcon Pty Ltd | $230,000 |
| 122 | Capitalist | Ellibuba | F | Western Breeders Alliance (Darling View Stud) | Ridgeport Holdings Pty Ltd | $210,000 |
| 2 | So You Think | Nordic Gem | F | Yarradale Stud | Parnham Racing Stables | $200,000 |
Top buyers
| Adam Durrant | 12 | $1,520,000 | $126,667 | $320,000 |
| Simon Miller Racing | 11 | $1,100,000 | $100,000 | $250,000 |
| John Chalmers Bloodstock (FBAA) | 9 | $865,000 | $96,111 | $330,000 |
| Morton Racing | 6 | $672,500 | $112,083 | $160,000 |
| Peter & Luke Fernie | 8 | $562,500 | $70,313 | $180,000 |
| Commercial Bloodstock Services P/L (FBAA) | 5 | $545,000 | $109,000 | $180,000 |
| Parnham Racing Stables | 3 | $480,000 | $160,000 | $200,000 |
| Ridgeport Holdings Pty Ltd | 4 | $440,000 | $110,000 | $210,000 |
| Hayden Ballantyne Racing | 5 | $420,000 | $84,000 | $130,000 |
| Pearce Racing | 6 | $340,000 | $56,667 | $90,000 |
Vendors by aggregate
| Western Breeders Alliance (Darling View Stud, Einoncliff Park and Westbury Park), WA | 13 | $1,220,000 | $93,846 | $210,000 |
| Yarradale Stud, Gidgegannup, WA | 12 | $1,142,000 | $95,167 | $200,000 |
| Amelia Park Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd, Vasse, WA | 6 | $1,115,000 | $185,833 | $320,000 |
| Willow Dale Farm, Waroona, WA | 11 | $1,109,500 | $100,864 | $300,000 |
| Scenic Lodge, Muchea, WA | 11 | $926,000 | $84,182 | $230,000 |
| Dawson Stud, Myalup, WA | 9 | $785,000 | $87,222 | $200,000 |
| Mogumber Park, Bullsbrook, WA | 7 | $705,000 | $100,714 | $180,000 |
| Willaview Park, Narrikup, WA | 5 | $660,000 | $132,000 | $330,000 |
| Ruby Racing & Breeding, Kojarena, WA | 6 | $650,000 | $108,333 | $180,000 |
| Gold Front Thoroughbred Breeding & Racing, Gingin, WA | 8 | $641,000 | $80,125 | $140,000 |
Vendors by average (3 or more sold)
| Amelia Park Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd, Vasse, WA | 6 | $185,833 | $320,000 | $1,115,000 |
| Willaview Park, Narrikup, WA | 5 | $132,000 | $330,000 | $660,000 |
| Ruby Racing & Breeding, Kojarena, WA | 6 | $108,333 | $180,000 | $650,000 |
| Lynward Park Stud, Bullsbrook, WA | 6 | $106,250 | $320,000 | $637,500 |
| Willow Dale Farm, Waroona, WA | 11 | $100,864 | $300,000 | $1,109,500 |
| Mogumber Park, Bullsbrook, WA | 7 | $100,714 | $180,000 | $705,000 |
| Yarradale Stud, Gidgegannup, WA | 12 | $95,167 | $200,000 | $1,142,000 |
| Western Breeders Alliance (Darling View Stud, Einoncliff Park and Westbury Park), WA | 13 | $93,846 | $210,000 | $1,220,000 |
| Dawson Stud, Myalup, WA | 9 | $87,222 | $200,000 | $785,000 |
| Scenic Lodge, Muchea, WA | 11 | $84,182 | $230,000 | $926,000 |
Sires by aggregate
| Playing God | 13 | $1,545,000 | $118,846 | $330,000 |
| So You Think | 4 | $700,000 | $175,000 | $320,000 |
| Awesome Rock | 7 | $629,000 | $89,857 | $140,000 |
| War Chant | 7 | $544,500 | $77,786 | $180,000 |
| Toronado | 4 | $505,000 | $126,250 | $230,000 |
| Russian Revolution | 2 | $490,000 | $245,000 | $320,000 |
| Oratorio | 5 | $480,000 | $96,000 | $190,000 |
| Magnus | 3 | $465,000 | $155,000 | $230,000 |
| Lean Mean Machine | 4 | $460,000 | $115,000 | $150,000 |
| Universal Ruler | 5 | $406,000 | $81,200 | $200,000 |
Sires by average (3 or more sold)
| So You Think | 4 | $175,000 | $320,000 | $700,000 |
| Magnus | 3 | $155,000 | $230,000 | $465,000 |
| Toronado | 4 | $126,250 | $230,000 | $505,000 |
| Safeguard | 3 | $123,333 | $180,000 | $370,000 |
| Playing God | 13 | $118,846 | $330,000 | $1,545,000 |
| Capitalist | 3 | $118,333 | $210,000 | $355,000 |
| Lean Mean Machine | 4 | $115,000 | $150,000 | $460,000 |
| Oratorio | 5 | $96,000 | $190,000 | $480,000 |
| Awesome Rock | 7 | $89,857 | $140,000 | $629,000 |
| Universal Ruler | 5 | $81,200 | $200,000 | $406,000 |
