Fastnet Filly Tops National Opener

Session-topping lot 73 | Katrina Partridge

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The top of the market during the opening session of the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast on Thursday was dominated by leading sires, with champion sire Fastnet Rock (Aus) responsible for two of the top five, including the A$525,000 session-topping filly, and champion sire-elect Snitzel (Aus) siring another two of the top five.

The first day's trade resulted in figures that nearly mirrored those returned on the same day last year. With 64 more horses offered this year, 194 were sold for A$10,535,500, compared to 152 sold for A$8,303,000 last year. The clearance rate was down slightly to 79% from 84%, while the median was unchanged at A$30,000 and the average was down just a half-percent at A$54,307.

“It's been a very good start to the sale,” said Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox. “It was a very even, balanced market. You wouldn't say it's been an overheated market and it hasn't been a disappointing market on the other side as well. It's a good market where people can operate and trade. Those that stuck out sold extremely well–it was a very strong market.”

The A$525,000 session-topping filly (lot 73) was offered by Coolmore Australia and purchased by Segenhoe Stud. She is out of the Irish stakes-placed Starrystarrynight (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), a full-sister to the stakes-winning and G1 Irish 1000 Guineas third Starbourne (Ire) who was exported to New Zealand and won there before being bred. The filly is a half-sister to the G1 Australian Oaks winner Gust Of Wind (Aus) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), and her third dam is the stakes winner and G2 Park Hill S. second Odeon (Royal and Regal).

Segenhoe manager Peter O'Brien said it was both sides of the pedigree that appealed to him.

“I love Fastnet Rock,” he said. “He's a champion stallion. She was my pick of the sale on type, she's a three-quarter sister to an Oaks winner and I think she was best foal I'd seen in a couple of years. We didn't want to leave without taking her home with us. She's a beautiful mover–a lovely loose action with plenty of scope.”

O'Brien said it could be a couple years yet before the filly hits her best stride. “She's not really going to be a 2-year-old–that's the way she is bred–we'll be hoping she's an Oaks filly down the track,” he said.

Starrystarrynight is catalogued as lot 902 at next week's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in foal to Al Maher (Aus).

Fastnet Rock and Coolmore Australia also supplied the day's early standard-setter, the A$400,000 lot 23. John Moynihan signed the ticket under the name Palm Racing for the colt, who is a full-brother to the dual stakes winner and G1 Randwick Guineas-second El Roca (Aus).

This year's champion sire-elect and multiple record-breaker Snitzel (Aus) provided the session's top-priced colt late in the day when Julian Blaxland of Blue Sky Bloodstock went to A$460,000 for lot 233 from Arawata Bloodstock. The chestnut is the fourth foal out of the dual stakes winner Cariad (Aus) (Sequalo {Aus}).

“It was a little bit over what I thought we'd have to go to,” Blaxland said of the price, adding, “I thought he was the colt of the sale. He's by Snitzel, who is the incumbent champion sire this season and he's broken the 2-year-old winners record. He's a lovely horse out of a stakes-winning mare. We actually purchased the mother Cariad about three weeks ago.”

David Lucas, acting on behalf of the Dubai-based Phoenix Investments, picked up a trio of six-figures weanlings on Thursday headed by lot 280, a daughter of hot young sire I Am Invincible (Aus) from Amarina Farm, for A$390,000. The filly is a half-sister to South African champion 2-year-old Harry's Son (Aus) (Haradasun {Aus}) and is also from the family of Ruby Clipper (Aus) (Rubiton {Aus}) and Seventh Rock (Aus) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), also champions in South Africa.

Also on Lucas's list was a filly by Snitzel for A$320,000 (lot 250) and a colt by Dissident (Aus) (lot 239) for A$300,000. Lot 239, by Horse of the Year and Newgate sire Dissident, marked the highest price of the session for a first-season sire. Dissident, a son of Golden Slipper winner Sebring (Aus), was also responsible for a A$150,000 filly.

Other first-season sires to make a good impression on opening day were Darley's champion 3-year-old sprinter Brazen Beau (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), who had fillies sell for A$270,000 and A$160,000; and Dissident's Newgate barnmate Deep Field (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}), who had six sell for six figures headed by a A$240,000 colt. While that one was purchased by Musk Creek Farm, agent James Bester signed for three of the other six-figure Deep Fields. Deep Field's full-brother Shooting To Win (Aus), who stands at Darley, had three weanlings make in excess of A$100,000, while Arrowfield shuttler Toronado (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Coolmore's speedy Rubick (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) each had one reach six figures.

The second and final session of the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale begins at 10 a.m. local time on Friday. Click for a video review of day one.

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