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Book 1 saw 118 yearlings sell at a clearance of 79 per cent while average and median hold fast
At the close of trade, the Magic Millions reported 118 yearlings sold at a clearance rate of 79 per cent, up from 73 per cent in 2020.
Meanwhile, for five per cent fewer horses sold this year compared to last, the aggregate was down four per cent to $8,493,500 compared to the 2020 figure of $8,841,500 when 124 lots sold.
The average of $71,131 is comparable to last year's Book 1 sale average of $71,302, while the median is the same at $55,000. The majority of buyers were WA-based with 88 per cent of the turnover, $7,509,000, coming from the state whilst Hong Kong-based buyers spent $335,000 on four lots. Buyers from Queensland (2 lots), South Australia (3 lots), Victoria (3 lots) and New South Wales (1 lot) were also active. Nine lots were sold for over $150,000.
Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said he was particularly pleased with the diversity of the buying bench.
“Overall it was a great result for the state,” Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said. “It’s fantastic when you look over the top 10 priced lots see the good spread of eastern state sires and the local sires.
“We are delighted for Brent and all at Darling View Thoroughbreds, they have been investing in their mares and service fees and now stallions in the west – to see them top the sale and to have a result like that is well deserved.
“There’s a great spread of buyers with the locals stepping up to account for the interstate buyers who have been unable to attend.”
Book 2 gets underway at 11am (WA time) and Bowditch said there are some nice horses that would present plenty of opportunities for prospective buyers.
“Tomorrow will provide plenty of opportunities for buyers and these horses will be racing for the same prize-money and bonuses – there’s a great selection of quality horses to be sold,” Bowditch added.
Willow Dale Farm finished the day as the leading vendor by average (with three or more lots sold), having sold five yearlings for an aggregate of $467,500 at an average of $93,500, while the leading vendor by aggregate was Western Breeders Alliance consignment, who sold 17 yearlings for an average of $89,765, while their aggregate was $1,526,000.
The leading sire by average (with three or more lots sold) and aggregate was Darling View Thoroughbreds-based Playing God (Blackfriars) with nine of his progeny selling for a gross of $945,000 at an average $105,000.
The leading buyer was Neville Parnham, who purchased nine lots for a total spend of $785,000, while Simon Miller purchased four lots for an aggregate of $640,000 during Book 1.
