Rock Colt Stars As Millions Figures Climb

A colt by red hot sire Fastnet Rock topped Saturday night’s fourth session of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Offered by Coolmore Stud, the colt will join the stables of his classily performed half brother Face Value after being sold for $370,000.

The colt, from the top producing mare Freckled Face, was snapped up by leading Queensland trainer Bevan Laming – the man who put the polish on Face Value.

“He’s a nice strong colt who is very athletic and looks a great prospect,” Laming said.

“Obviously I had a lot of success with his half brother Face Value and this bloke is a bit bigger.”

“He’s probably not the style of horse for the 2YO Classic next year, but he could make a later two-year-old.”

“There is a lot happening in the family at the moment with Halle Rocks and Diamond Earth – Halle Rocks in particular should add some black type there,” Laming added.

The colt was one of six yearlings to sell for $300,000 or more at the fourth session of the country’s most popular yearling sale.

A massive crowd was on hand for the tradition Saturday night session – the last of the Session 1-4 sale.

When the final horse was knocked down late in the night the sale gross had pushed out to $62.57 million.

Some 492 lots were sold over the past four days at an average price of $127,175 (up over $3,500 on last year) and exceptional clearance rate of 84.4 per cent.

The median price of $100,000 was $10,000 higher than the same session 1-4 sale last year.

“We’re thrilled with the figures for the sale,” Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox reported.

“The story of the sale is the clearance and the median price. The clearance rate is outstanding and this will grow over the next day or so.”

“And the average price has increased on last year’s figures – so all in all we’re very happy.”

“Demand on the quality lots was strong and many vendors returned some positive results.”

Prior to the first lot being offered on Saturday night over $29,000 was raised for the Kristy Banks Appeal.

Jockey silks and breeches signed by all runners in the 2012 $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic were purchased by Coolmore’s Tom Magnier for $26,000.

And the winning whips of Tommy Berry and Paul Hammersley from the two feature winners on Magic Millions’ $4.3 million raceday were purchased for a sum total of $3,200.

The popular Session Five sale will be held at the complex from 11am (Qld time) on Sunday.

“There’s some really good prospects to go under the hammer in Session Five – and they are sure to be great value.”

“This session has produced many top class gallopers over the years and we’re confident many more will emerge from this year’s edition.

During tomorrow’s session four lots from the Session 1-4 auction will be re-offered without reserve.

Magic Millions has exercised the right to take possession of and reoffer the following lots unreserved – 137, 300, 347 and 506.

SESSION FOUR TOP SELLERS

$370,000 – Fastnet Rock-Freckled Face colt
Vendor: Coolmore Stud (As Agent) / Buyer: SB & J Laming

$350,000 – More Than Ready-Danni Martine colt
Southern Cross Breeders / Gai Waterhouse & James Harron B’stock (NSW)

$340,000 – Exceed and Excel-Fumble filly
Willow Park Stud / Segenhoe Stud (NSW)

$320,000 – Fastnet Rock-Flushed colt
Coolmore Stud (As Agent) / Chris Waller Racing (NSW)

$310,000 – Danehill Dancer-Face of the Earth filly
Coolmore Stud (As Agent) / Gai Waterhouse & James Harron B’stock (NSW)

$300,000 – More Than Ready-Eskaw colt
Turangga Farm (As Agent) / Cameron Cooke Bloodstock (Vic)

SALE STATISTICS
(2011 in brackets)

Lots Catalogued: 645 (674)
Sale Gross: $62,570,000 ($63,669,000)
Average Price: $127,175 ($123,629)
Median Price: $100,000 ($90,000)
Top Price: $960,000 ($1,150,000)
Lots Sold: 492 (515)
Lots Withdrawn: 62 (56)
Lots Passed In: 91 (103)
Sold %: 84.4 (83)

LEADING SIRES
(ranked by average – 3 or more sold)

$356,250 – Redoute’s Choice – 8 sold
$255,370 – Fastnet Rock – 27 sold
$246,364 – More Than Ready – 22 sold
$172,500 – New Approach – 3 sold
$168,182 – Snitzel – 11 sold
$163,889 – Exceed and Excel – 9 sold
$154,423 – Sebring – 26 sold

LEADING BUYERS
(ranked by total spend)

$5,532,500 – Gai Waterhouse & James Harron B’stock – 22 lots
$2,555,000 – Hong Kong Jockey Club – 10 lots
$2,360,000 – Segenhoe Stud – 7 lots
$2,197,500 – Star Thoroughbreds – 16 lots
$1,802,500 – Cameron Cooke B’stock – 11 lots
$1,595,000 – Moody Racing Pty Ltd – 12 lots
$1,340,000 – Anthony Cummings T’breds – 11 lots
$1,330,000 – Gerald Ryan – 4 lots
$1,205,000 – Bahen Bloodstock & Malua Racing – 7 lots
$1,200,000 – Tim Martin Racing – 9 lots