Average and gross soar in Perth

After records were broken in Tasmania on Monday, Book One of the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale saw the average price of $91,175 finish up 28 per cent from last year, while the gross rose a staggering 52 per cent to $12,799,500 for 178 lots sold. The median finished at $70,000. 

Four lots sold for $300,000 or more with a son of Playing God (Blackfriars) the most expensive lot sold on Tuesday when he was bought for $330,000 by John Chalmers Bloodstock. 

Offered by Willaview Park as Lot 174,  the colt is the ninth foal out of the Group Three winning mare Moodometer (Pricessly), who has produced five winners to date handed by the stakes placed filly Mood Goddess (Playing God). 

"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.

John Chalmers Bloodstock bought another eight lots for a total spend of $865,000. 

The result was an incredible one for the team from Willaview Park, who are presenting their second draft at this year's Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

"We are ecstatic to say the least," said Claire Williamson of Willaview said. "We knew he was a beautiful colt, but we didn't think he would make that sort of money.

"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."

Playing God finished Book One as the leading sire with 13 yearlings selling for $1,545,000 at an average of $118,846. 

Daughter of Russian Revolution sells for $320,000

The most expensive filly sold on Tuesday and the joint second highest price of the day came for a daughter of Newgate Farm's Russian Revolution (Snitzel) who was bought by Mark Pilkington Management for $320,000. 

Sold by Amelia Park Racing & Breeding as Lot 29,  the filly is the first foal out of Group Three winning Savabeel (Zabeel) mare Samovare who is herself a half-sister to the Group winning pair Tiger Of Malay (Extreme Choice) and Samizdat (Not A Single Doubt). 

"I loved her proven and current black type pedigree," said Pilkington who was bidding online. "She (Samovare) was a high class mare and Russian Revolution has sired a couple of high class fillies in recent times.

"She was very well recommended by many at the sale as a scopey filly that should love a mile at three. It would be lovely if she found her way to the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas – after we ran third this year with Socialist who is by another promising young Newgate stallion.

"She's a BOBS filly which probably explains the number of Sydney trainers who have rung to put their hat into the ring," Pilkington added.

Amelia Park Racing & Breeding was the leading vendor by average having sold six lots for $1,115,000 at an average of $185,833. 

So You Think colt impresses Durrant 

The second lot to make $320,000 came later in the day when Adam Durrant bought Lot 86,  

a son of Coolmore Stud's So You Think (High Chaparral). Offered by Lyndward Park Stud, the colt is the eighth foal out of the stakes placed Blackfriars (Danehill) mare Black In Time who has produced five winners from as many foals to race to date. 

Durrant said that he thought the son of So You Think was the colt of the sale. 

"He was our target of the sale," Durrant said. "We thought he was the colt of the sale and we ended up with him, so it was good.

"He's just athletic, the sire's got stamina and the mum led them up in the Winterbottom and just got rolled by a multiple Group One winner. She was fast.

"You only have to see him to know he's a standout. He cost $100,000 more than we wanted to pay but that's just the market, it's very strong," Durrant added.

So You Think finished the session as the leading sire by average (with three or more lots sold) having had four yearlings sell for $700,000 at an average of $175,000. 

Local trainers Adam Durrant and Simon Miller were the leading buyers, both purchasing 12 yearlings with Durrant spending $1,520,000 while Miller spent $1,220,000. 

The Western Breeders Alliance was the leading vendor having sold 13 lots for $1,220,000 at an average of $93,846. 

Results impress Houston 

Magic Millions WA Manager David Hobson said he was extremely impressed with the results achieved on Tuesday and noted the strength of the local buying bench. 

"It was a super day's selling," Houston said. "The fact we've have 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.

Houston said he was proud of the way the local buying bench invested in the local sale – buying all but five lots during the Book One sale.

"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."

"We are hoping tomorrow can continue on the momentum of Day One," Houston added. "There'a a great line up of yearlings to sell from 10am."