Yung, who was accompanied by his brother Charles, outlasted the interests of a wide variety of international bidders, including the Hong Kong Jockey Club, to secure the powerful colt that was consigned through the Highview Stud draft as Lot 271.
From the family of stakes winners A Chance To Dream and Fast Love the colt had
proved popular in the days leading up to his auction ring appearance although
Highview principal Brent Gillovic admitted he started to worry as the clock
ticked down to the appointed time."He's had more people parade him and look at him than we've ever had before," he revealed.
"It's a testament to his bombproof nature that he could pick his feet up and keep going as a normal yearling would be exhausted by now.
"Mind you I started to get a bit nervous this morning as it all went a little quiet. Up until then I was confident he would attract plenty of attention when he went through the ring."
Gillovic needn't have worried as the bidding action was fast and furious from numerous quarters until silenced by the unassuming Yung under his Good Harvest Bloodstock banner.
For Gillovic it is the highlight of a career that spans more than thirty years bringing horses to the Yearling Sales.
"I think the best we've ever achieved before is around $340,000 so this guy blows that right out of the water," he grinned.
"I bought the mare for my business partner Peter Yip at the May Broodmare sale here back in 2008. She went to Danroad a couple of times as Peter owned him and then we bought a share in Snitzel.
"We sent four mares to him that first year with this colt and two fillies going through the Premier session here today.
"You work hard to achieve the best you can however to get to the level we reached today is a little surreal. I'm not quite sure how to feel about it right now but I'm sure it will sink in as the day goes on."
The good news continued later in the morning for Highview with Lot 300, the Snitzel filly from Montjeu mare Montwest snapped up for $210,000 to the bid of Australian trainer Henry Dwyer. – NZ Racing Desk
