At A Glance:
>> While the top end was strong, the Day 1 average of $41,289 was short of the overall Book 1 average of $44,763 last year
>> The clearance rate of 75 per cent at the end of the session was significantly down on the clearance rate of 79.7 per cent for Session 1 in 2018
>> The median was $28,000, $7000 less than it was at the end of Book 1 last year
>> Victorian buyers bought as many lots (52) as the South Australians, while international interest was much higher with 22 lots going to overseas interests compared to 19 for the whole of Book 1 last year
McEvoy secures lone Dundeel
The desirability of the progeny of Arrowfield stallion Dundeel (NZ) continues to grow and Tony McEvoy went to an equal record yearling price for a filly by the six-time Group 1 winner, paying $250,000 for Lot 157.
McEvoy trained the filly's half sister by Monaco Consul, Ghodeleine, who has won two of her three starts, while another sibling, Beau Rivage (Monaco Consul) is a four-time winner.
The dam Swan River (Danehill Dancer {USA}) is a sister to Group 2 winner Lieutenant and a half to another stakes-winner in Count Encosta (Encosta de Lago) and stakes-placed Jacquetta (Encosta de Lago).
Soon after the Rushton Park filly went through the ring, McEvoy negotiated a deal to partner with Suman Hedge Bloodstock, who was the underbidder.
The price matches that paid for a Dundeel filly at last year's Easter Sale. It is also a record price for any filly at the Adelaide sale.
"I had tried to buy the horse with John Sadler. I had all the clients organised, we are all ready to go. We tried really hard to get the horse and Tony was a little bit too strong," Hedge said.
"We tried really hard to get the horse and Tony was a little bit too strong." - Suman Hedge
"I called him and left a message to say congratulations. Within five minutes he'd called me back and said they'd just specced the horse and were we interested?"
"It was a bit hard, because they were John's clients and I can’t do anything with them, but I said 'give me a couple of hours and I'll see if I can do something'."
"I made a few phone calls and straight away it was really clear that there was a lot of interest."
Hedge already races a 2-year-old Deep Field colt with McEvoy, so once it was clear he had the interest to back up his own, Hedge got the deal done.
"From our point of view, we felt she was the best horse there," he said.
Hedge said the filly had first come onto his radar when Rushton Park's David Johnson had mentioned to him at the recent Melbourne Premier Sale he had a nice Dundeel in at Adelaide.
"When I saw her on Friday, she just blew my mind. She was not only the best mover here, I’d say she'd be the best mover I'd seen all year," he said
"With her, she was the only horse I could think of. Even the second day, when I was looking at other horses, I was thinking about this Dundeel horse, I couldn’t get her out of my mind."
Lot 157 Dundeel (NZ) x Swan River
Grenville cash in
There are only two Brazen Beau colts in the catalogue and given how popular they have been elsewhere this season, it wasn't surprising to see Lot 72, offered by Grenville Stud, set the early pace, going for $190,000.
Lloyd Kennewell, who has shown a liking for the progeny of I Am Invincible so far this sales season, won out in a dual for the colt by his son, combining with longtime friend Matt Becker from Group 1 Bloodstock.
He is out of the Viking Ruler mare Natural Swinger (NZ), a half-sister to Group 2 winner La Italia (Stravinksy {USA}) and from the family of G1 winner Irish Lights (Fastnet Rock) as well as plenty of other black-type winners.
Natural Swinger has only had one previous foal get to the track, the winner Black Denim (Denman).
Grenville had another big result when Mornington trainer, John McArdle, went to $190,000 for Lot 230, a filly and the only Zoustar yearling in the catalogue, out of South African Group 1 winner Asylum Seeker (SAF) (Count Dubois {GB}).
The filly is a half-sister to three winners, including Mark Newnham's promising Scarlet Dream (Sebring), who has won two of her four starts, contests this Friday's G2 Kembla Grange Classic and holds a nomination for the G1 Australian Oaks.
McArdle described Lot 230 as an 'outstanding filly'.
That result ensured that the Tasmanian-based stud topped the vendor averages for the session, at $163,333, while Cornerstone Stud, who sold 18 in the session, topped the aggregates with $524,500
Yulong top up with four more
Yulong was the day's biggest buyer, spending $515,000 on four yearlings including Lot 122, the Written Tycoon colt out of Rossa Mia (Testa Rossa) for $180,000 and Lot 84, a filly by Not A Single Doubt out of Our Emily Mia (Reset), from the family of Group 1 winner Linton (Galileo {Ire}), for $170,000.
Princess Park sold the Written Tycoon colt having purchased him for $110,000 as a weanling, while Glastonbury Farms sold Lot 84 on behalf of her Victorian breeders Princeton Thoroughbred Stud.
Richard and Chantelle Jolly paid $180,000 for Lot 100, an Exosphere colt out of Pontington (Delago Brom), the daughter of multiple Group winner Ponton Flyer (Flying Spur), who also produced stakes winners Black Vanquish (Lonhro) and Minnesota Shark (Lonhro).
The colt is a half-brother to recent Moonee Valley winner Island Daze (Written Tycoon) as well as consistent Tassie filly Kwai (War) and was offered by Armidale Stud.
That ensured Darley's freshman Exosphere led all sires who had three or more sales on averages, with $113,333, while ill-fated former Three Bridges Stallion Unencumbered led sire aggregates with seven lots sold for a total of $490,000.
In a continuation of the season trend of a strong top end, there were eight lots go for $150,000 and over, compared with five for the whole of Book 1 last year.
“There were very good results at the top end,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. “There was a huge appetite for the good horses.”
“Obviously the market is very selective at the lower to bottom end but we’re really pleased with the result as a whole.”
There are another 95 yearlings catalogued to sell in Book 1 on Wednesday.
Lot 122 Written Tycoon x Rossa Mia was purchased by Yulong Investments for $180,000
Leaderboards
Top vendors by average (3 or more sold)
| Rosemont Stud, Gnarwarre, Vic | 4 | 2 | 1 | 80 | 81,750 | 327,000 |
| Rushton Park, Tatura, Vic | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 65,000 | 390,000 |
| Three Bridges Thoroughbreds, Eddington, Vic | 4 | 0 | 1 | 80 | 63,250 | 253,000 |
| Willow Grove Stud, Woodside, SA | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.43 | 57,400 | 287,000 |
| Princess Park Thoroughbred Farm, Nagambie, Vic | 8 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 55,500 | 444,000 |
| Mill Park Stud, Meningie, SA | 6 | 4 | 2 | 75 | 35,500 | 213,000 |
| Cornerstone Stud, Angaston, SA | 18 | 6 | 3 | 85.71 | 29,139 | 524,500 |
| Bowness Stud, Young, NSW | 5 | 2 | 1 | 83.33 | 28,400 | 142,000 |
| Little Hills Pastoral Co (Dr G S & Mrs C E Tucker), Yorketown, SA | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 27,667 | 166,000 |
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 10 | 0 | 12 | 45.45 | 25,700 | 257,000 |
| Bhima Thoroughbreds, Scone, NSW | 5 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 23,400 | 117,000 |
| Sun Stud, Kerrie, Vic | 7 | 1 | 1 | 87.5 | 23,286 | 163,000 |
| Ducatoon Park, Kadina, SA | 4 | 1 | 2 | 66.67 | 22,500 | 90,000 |
| Maluka Thoroughbreds, Kilmore, Vic | 5 | 1 | 1 | 83.33 | 21,100 | 105,500 |
| Riverina Downs, Tarcutta, NSW | 4 | 1 | 1 | 80 | 20,500 | 82,000 |
| Noor Elaine Farm Pty Ltd, Euroa, Vic | 6 | 2 | 1 | 85.71 | 19,083 | 114,500 |
Top vendors by aggregate
| Cornerstone Stud, Angaston, SA | 18 | 6 | 3 | 85.71 | 29,139 | 524,500 |
| Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 163,333 | 490,000 |
| Princess Park Thoroughbred Farm, Nagambie, Vic | 8 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 55,500 | 444,000 |
| Rushton Park, Tatura, Vic | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 65,000 | 390,000 |
| Rosemont Stud, Gnarwarre, Vic | 4 | 2 | 1 | 80 | 81,750 | 327,000 |
| Willow Grove Stud, Woodside, SA | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.43 | 57,400 | 287,000 |
| Glastonbury Farms, Scone, NSW | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100 | 137,500 | 275,000 |
| Armidale Stud, Carrick, Tas | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 130,000 | 260,000 |
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 10 | 0 | 12 | 45.45 | 25,700 | 257,000 |
| Three Bridges Thoroughbreds, Eddington, Vic | 4 | 0 | 1 | 80 | 63,250 | 253,000 |
| Goldin Farms, Angaston, SA | 3 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 77,000 | 231,000 |
| Kulani Park, Merricks North, Vic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 107,500 | 215,000 |
| Mill Park Stud, Meningie, SA | 6 | 4 | 2 | 75 | 35,500 | 213,000 |
| Little Hills Pastoral Co (Dr G S & Mrs C E Tucker), Yorketown, SA | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 27,667 | 166,000 |
| Sun Stud, Kerrie, Vic | 7 | 1 | 1 | 87.5 | 23,286 | 163,000 |
| Golden Grove Stud, Denman, NSW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 160,000 | 160,000 |
| Jorson Farm, South Burnett, Qld | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 80,000 | 160,000 |
| Bowness Stud, Young, NSW | 5 | 2 | 1 | 83.33 | 28,400 | 142,000 |
| Adelaide Plains Bloodstock, Willaston, SA | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 135,000 | 135,000 |
| Valiant Stud, Aberdeen, NSW | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 40,000 | 120,000 |
Top buyers
| Yu Long Investments (Australia) Pty Ltd | 4 | 128,750 | 515,000 |
| McEvoy Mitchell Racing P/L | 4 | 86,750 | 347,000 |
| Kennewell Racing / Group 1 Bloodstock | 5 | 51,600 | 258,000 |
| McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Suman Hedge Bloodstock | 1 | 250,000 | 250,000 |
| Redgum Racing/CB Bloodstock | 1 | 190,000 | 190,000 |
| Richard and Chantelle Jolly | 1 | 180,000 | 180,000 |
| Upper Bloodstock Pty Ltd | 2 | 80,000 | 160,000 |
| Anthony G Cavanagh & Co P/L� | 1 | 160,000 | 160,000 |
| Macdonald Gluyas Racing | 2 | 80,000 | 160,000 |
| Ric Wylie Bloodstock | 3 | 53,000 | 159,000 |
| Ryan Balfour | 2 | 79,000 | 158,000 |
| John Foote Bloodstock | 3 | 45,000 | 135,000 |
| Michael Hickmott Bloodstock | 4 | 32,375 | 129,500 |
| Will Clarken/David Jolly | 3 | 42,000 | 126,000 |
| Oopy MacGillivray | 4 | 31,250 | 125,000 |
| Jason Warren Racing | 1 | 125,000 | 125,000 |
| Bridle Bloodstock | 2 | 60,000 | 120,000 |
| Blueblood Thoroughbreds (Australia) Pty Ltd | 6 | 19,000 | 114,000 |
| Aquis Farms Pty Ltd | 1 | 110,000 | 110,000 |
Top sires by average (3 or more sold)
| Unencumbered (AUS) | 7 | 2 | 1 | 90,000 | 87.5 | 70,000 | 490,000 |
| Akeed Mofeed (GB) | 6 | 1 | 0 | 115,000 | 100 | 60,333 | 362,000 |
| Nicconi (AUS) | 9 | 1 | 1 | 135,000 | 90 | 52,000 | 468,000 |
| Smart Missile (AUS) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 110,000 | 100 | 49,500 | 198,000 |
| Bull Point (AUS) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 65,000 | 100 | 35,500 | 142,000 |
| Magnus (AUS) | 6 | 2 | 5 | 70,000 | 54.55 | 35,083 | 210,500 |
| Press Statement (AUS) | 4 | 0 | 3 | 48,000 | 57.14 | 34,750 | 139,000 |
| Fighting Sun (AUS) | 7 | 2 | 0 | 90,000 | 100 | 34,000 | 238,000 |
| Dream Ahead (USA) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 36,000 | 100 | 28,750 | 115,000 |
| Free Eagle (IRE) | 4 | 0 | 3 | 65,000 | 57.14 | 27,250 | 109,000 |
| Valentia (AUS) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 45,000 | 100 | 25,250 | 151,500 |
| Zebedee (GB) | 9 | 3 | 1 | 37,000 | 90 | 20,944 | 188,500 |
| Ready for Victory (AUS) | 4 | 0 | 1 | 21,000 | 80 | 13,000 | 52,000 |
Top sires by aggregate
| Unencumbered | 7 | 2 | 1 | 48000 | 90000 | 87.5 | 70000 | 490000 |
| Nicconi | 9 | 1 | 1 | 16000 | 135000 | 90 | 52000 | 468000 |
| Akeed Mofeed | 6 | 1 | 0 | 16000 | 115000 | 100 | 60333 | 362000 |
| Fighting Sun | 7 | 2 | 0 | 15000 | 90000 | 100 | 34000 | 238000 |
| Magnus | 6 | 2 | 5 | 11000 | 70000 | 54.55 | 35083 | 210500 |
| Smart Missile | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17000 | 110000 | 100 | 49500 | 198000 |
| Zebedee | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5000 | 37000 | 90 | 20944 | 188500 |
| Valentia | 6 | 0 | 0 | 8000 | 45000 | 100 | 25250 | 151500 |
| Bull Point | 4 | 2 | 0 | 15000 | 65000 | 100 | 35500 | 142000 |
| Press Statement | 4 | 0 | 3 | 25000 | 48000 | 57.14 | 34750 | 139000 |
| Dream Ahead | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15000 | 36000 | 100 | 28750 | 115000 |
| Free Eagle | 4 | 0 | 3 | 7000 | 65000 | 57.14 | 27250 | 109000 |
| Ready for Victory | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5000 | 21000 | 80 | 13000 | 52000 |
