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Merchant Navy colt tops Book Two

3 minute read

Sells for $160,000 as a record-breaking Perth Yearling Sale concludes.

Lot 274 Merchant Navy - Bumbasina colt
Lot 274 Merchant Navy - Bumbasina colt Picture: Magic Millions

A total of ten lots sold for $100,000 during Book Two of the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale on Wednesday, with the most expensive lot being a son of Coolmore Australia's Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock) who was bought for $160,000 by Wally Daly's Yenrise Pty Ltd. 

The colt was offered by Amelia Park Racing & Breeding as Lot 274 and will go into training with Sean and Jake Casey. He is the second foal out of stakes placed Canford Cliffs (Tagula) mare Bumbasina, who is herself a half-sister to European Group winners Epona Plays (Australia) and Dolce Strega (Zoffany). 

The second most expensive lot to sell on Wednesday was a son of Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) who was bought by Gangemi Racing for $140,000. The colt was sold by Yarradale Stud as Lot 301 and is the second living foal out of winning War Chant (Danzig) mare Habenera. 

Book Two grosses $5,694,500 

During the Book Two sale 128 of the of 145 lots offered were sold producing a clearance rate of 88 per cent. The aggregate rose 13 per cent from $5,033,500 a year ago to $5,694,500 with five more yearlings sold this year compared to last. 

The average rose 9 per cent up to $44,489 while the median was up from $35,000 in 2021 to $36,000. 

Over the two days, a total of 272 lots sold for $18,704,000, up 35 per cent for eight per cent more horses sold this year. The aggregate rose 24 per cent from $55,338 to $68,765 while the median was up 38 per cent from $40,000 in 2021 to $55,000. 

  • Adam Durrant finished as leading buyer having spent $1,611,000 on 14 lots while Simon Miller Racing bought 17 yearlings for $1,525,000. 
  • Yarradale Stud finished the sale as leading vendor having sold 24 of the 25 lots they offered for $1,805,000 at an average of $75,208. 
  • Amelia Park Racing & Breeding was the leading vendor by average, selling all eight lots they offered for $1,304,000 at an average of $167,500. 
  • Playing God was the leading sire with 24 yearlings making $2,283,500 at an average of $95,146. 
  • So You Think finished the sale as the leading sire by average (three or more lots sold) with an average of $175,000 for four yearlings sold. 
  • WA-based buyers dominated having spent $118,114,000 on 226 lots with only five lots selling to buyers from further afield; VIC (2), NSW (1), Hong Kong (1), SA (1). 

"We had another very solid day's trade and this capped what has been a very memorable couple of days of selling," Magic Millions WA Manager David Houston said. 

"There was a very good line up of horses on offer and it was great to see so many buyers competing for future racetrack stars.

"While records have been broken across much of the sale, there were great opportunities for buyers to source quality stock at very competitive prices.

"The past two days of selling have proven that the Western Australian thoroughbred industry is in a very healthy position and we congratulate vendors and buyers for playing their part.

"To round out with a gross of well over $18 million is testament to the industry. Our breeders produce quality horses and for the buyers to participate in their local market to such a level is fantastic."

Houston paid tribute to the team that came together under extreme restrictions in hosting vendors and buyers in the Swan Valley this week.

"So many challenges were thrown at us. I couldn't be more proud of the efforts of those who worked under great duress to help the sale post record results," he said. 

"A special thanks to Charlotte Geoghegan who led the way – from being our only representative at the Pinjarra Raceday – to co-ordinating this special event."

"Our auctioneers and vets in particular had to go to great lengths to conduct the sale – travel changes and quarantining proving difficult."

"We would like to thank RWWA, to David Hunter and his team, for their incredible flexibility and assistance across the whole sale and in particular for being able to delay the start of today's races for industry members." 


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