The first foal of stakes winning mare Bonny O'Reilly, a colt by champion sire Snitzel, was the stand out act on Day One of the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale today.
The colt, consigned by Widden Stud, was purchased by Coolmore's Tom Magnier for $1.9 million after an entertaining bidding battle.
Magnier, who late last year paid a Southern Hemisphere record to secure glamour mare Sunlight at the National Broodmare Sale, said today's top seller would be heading to Sydney's leading trainer Chris Waller.
"He's a really nice horse," Magnier said. "I think all the top people were on him and we've got a great group of people to race him with.
"We're going to need a bit of luck - but we're in the right country - the prizemoney is great here in Australia.
"It's great to be at the Gold Coast and there's so many great horses here," Magnier added.
The result was a great success for the team from Widden Stud who purchased Bonny O'Reilly carrying the top seller for $1.2 million at the 2019 National Broodmare Sale.
"We were underbidders on her at $800,000 when she was retired from the track," Antony Thompson said. "So when she came onto the market in foal to Snitzel we just had to have her."
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Just minutes earlier Widden Stud offered the I Am Invincible-Bonaria filly on behalf of her breeder Robert Anderson and she sold to Busuttin Racing for $975,000.
All up across the opening day over $35 million was traded on 142 lots sold at a record Day One average price of over $248,000. The clearance rate of 85 per cent bettered last year's opening day figure of 83 per cent.
"It was a really solid day's trade," Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. "We went in with a bit of trepidation with the internationals not here and a lot of Sydney not able to be here."
"Under the circumstances it was a huge day. Vendors have met the market - they're here to sell their horses and that's instilled confidence in the buyers to bid."
"The average price is up on last year's opening day, but it's the clearance rate that is the real highlight at about 85 per cent," Bowditch added.
To view the sale results and to make an offer on a passed in lot click here.
Day Two of the 2021 Gold Coast Yearling Sale commences at 10am (Qld time) tomorrow.
SALE STATISTICS
(2020 Day One in Brackets)
Lots Catalogued: 180 (262)
Lots Sold: 142 (203)
Lots Passed In: 26 (42)
Lots Withdrawn: 12 (17)
Sale Gross: $35,240,000 ($48,565,000)
Top Price: $1,900,000 ($1,100,000)
Average Price: $248,169 ($239,236)
Median Price: $170,000 ($180,000)
Sold %: 85 (83)
DAY ONE TOP SELLERS
$1,900,000 - Snitzel-Bonny O'Reilly colt (Lot 115)
Vendor: Widden Stud (As Agent) / Buyer: Tom Magnier (NSW)
$975,000 - I Am Invincible-Bonaria filly (Lot 113)
Widden Stud (As Agent) / Busuttin Racing (Vic)
$825,000 - Fastnet Rock-Ciarlet colt (Lot 163)
Coolmore Stud (As Agent) / David Ellis (NZ)
$800,000 - I Am Invincible-Zighy Bay colt (Lot 7)
Attunga Stud (As Agent) / Waller Racing/Mulcaster B'stock (NZ)
$800,000 - I Am Invincible-Bidii Babe filly (Lot 100)
Yarraman Park Stud (As Agent) / Ciaron Maher B'stock (Vic)
Yarraman Park Stud (As Agent) / Ciaron Maher B'stock (Vic)
