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Outstanding racemare Missrock will head to England after topping Day One of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast.
Missrock attracted immense interest from bidders with the winning bid made by UK-based agents John and Jake Warren bidding via telephone.
John Warren is known around the world as the racing manager for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II but was acting for a private client of Highclere Stud.
The Warrens spent recent days on the Gold Coast and were struck with Missrock when they inspected her on the grounds.
"She is one of those mares who doesn’t take much inspecting - she’s an absolute beauty," Jake Warren said.
"She fit the bill for us on conformation, she’s a lovely sized mare.
“She’s very strong and powerful and she has a great action.
"We were just in awe of her and thought she was a lovely type. When you marry that up with her pedigree, race record and the fact she is by a top sire she really floated our boat on all aspects.
“She is going to the UK and she will be based at Highclere Stud where the intention will be to use the best available European stallions with a view to try to breed classic horses.
"The Danehill blood in Europe mixed with the Sadler’s Wells line has been so successful and that’s where we’re thinking - it’s very exciting.”
Presented at the auction by Kingstar Farm for an ownership group headed by Ray and Susie Montague, Missrock was first sold as a yearling for $500,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale where she was purchased by her former trainer Robbie Laing.
The second top lot on day one was former sprint sensation Invincible Star. The daughter of Invincible Star was knocked down to James Bester and Tom Magnier for $1.45 million.
Bester confirmed that she will be covered by US Triple Crown hero Justify this spring.
Former WA based star Whispering Brook sold for $1.1 million to leading Japanese breeder Katsumi Yoshida.
Two other mares on the day sold for $1 million - former Melbourne star Oregon's Day and New Zealand champion filly of her generation Savvy Coup.
Over $28.3 million was traded on 168 lots sold at an average price of $168,646 - slightly up on last year's opening session.
The clearance rate sits at over 81 per cent.
SALE STATISTICS
(2018 Day One in brackets)
Lots Catalogued: 246 (257)
Lots Sold: 168 (190)
Passed In: 39 (33)
Lots Withdrawn: 38 (34)
Sale Gross: $28,332,500 ($31,727,500)
Top Price: $2,300,000 ($2,600,000)
Average Price: $168,646 ($166,987)
Median Price: $70,000 ($51,000)
Sold %: 81 (85)
DAY ONE TOP LOTS
$2,300,000 - Missrock (Lot 903)
Vendor: Kingstar Farm (As Agent) / Buyer: John and Jake Warren (UK)
$1,450,000 - Invincible Star (Lot 872)
Yarraman Park Stud (As Agent) / Tim Magnier/James Bester B'stock (NSW)
$1,100,000 - Whispering Brook (Lot 986)
Yarraman Park Stud (As Agent) / Katsumi Yoshida (Japan)
$1,000,000 - Oregon's Day (Lot 917)
Amarina Farm (As Agent) / Tony Fung (Qld)
$1,000,000 - Savvy Coup (Lot 1905)
Attunga Stud (As Agent) / Tom Magnier/James Bester B'stock (NSW)
