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Two youngsters by boom Newgate stallion top Day 1 of National Sale.
The only two Extreme Choice youngsters in this year's catalogue ensured fireworks to round out the first day of this year's Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
The Newgate stallion's son of Egyptian Melody, an Exceed And Excel mare who is out of G2 winner Sherine, became the day's top lot when knocked down to Ciaron Maher Racing for $450,000 in the final hour of selling on the Gold Coast.
"I felt at that money he was good value and we're happy to walk away with him," Maher and co-trainer David Eustace's bloodstock manager Will Bourne said.
"This colt is very athletic. He hasn't got too heavy since he's developed and I think he'll be a nice two-year-old for our Sydney stable."
The Silverstream-prepared bay colt assumed that honour from Bhima Thoroughbreds' Extreme Choice filly, out of Diamond Meteor (Norther Meteor), who seven lots earlier sold to Trilogy Racing for $300,000.
The Extreme Choice duo joined the $250,000 Snitzel-Rebel Sister filly as lots who fetched at least that amount on a day when $6,642,000 changed hands at an average of $49,567 at a clearance rate of 63 percent.
Last year the first day of the National Yearling Sale turned over $7,090,500 at an average of $63,887.
"No doubt there are plenty of positives to take out of it," Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said.
"If you had a quality horse that came into the ring who met the buyers' criteria, it was very well sought-after and we saw that on a number of occasions. It was happening quite often.
"With the market, we've had an extraordinary year with the yearling sales and we are running out of momentum.
"The clearance rate is evidence of that and this sale is slightly tougher for that reason, but if you had quality there's plenty of people willing to participate on them when they walk in the ring."
The second and final day of this year's National Yearling Sale will be held on Wednesday when lots 1641-1810 complete Book 1 with the 73 lots who make up Book 2 to follow.