$240,000 War Chant Filly Tops Magic Millions Perth Day 1

Offered late in the session by Willow Dale Farm, as agent for Ellie Giles' Korilya Stud, the filly was knocked down to Attunga Stud in partnership with Clarke Bloodstock for $240,000.

Also a half sister to the Fairetha Stakes winner Red Can Man, the filly attracted intense interest as she entered the ring as lot 166 - with bids of $100,000 and $150,000 quickly flying in. 

In the end it was Brian Nutt and Jim Clarke who held the bid when auctioneer Grant Burns dropped the gavel at $240,000.

"We actually paid a little bit more than we thought we would have to pay," Nutt said. "But I really liked the filly."

"I actually sold Quilista at the National Broodmare Sale in Queensland and I really liked her and there's plenty of upside going forward."

"Having paid a little bit more - but I'm really happy with the one that I've got," Nutt added.

Mornington trainer Matt Laurie secured the second top seller on the day, Western Breeders Alliance's Winning Rupert colt from Bitter Twist for $200,000.

"I thought he was a standout," Laurie said. "I obviously had to bid pretty hard to get him."

"He's a really forward, well muscled and well balanced colt - a typical early looking style of horse."

"His physical attributes really matched his page and I'm thrilled to get him," Laurie added.

The third highest seller was Lot 133 - Yarradale Stud's War Chant half sister to Lamasery who sold for $180,000 to Singapore based Constance Cheng, buying under the Thoroughbred Owners Association and Sports Trust banner.

"I thought she was the top filly of the sale," Cheng, who was celebrating her birthday, said. "I really liked her as a type, with a deep girth and beautiful hips."

"It was great to be able to buy her off Yarradale Stud as I have had a lot of success with the stock from the farm," she added.

Adam Durrant was the leading buyer on the day with over $1 million invested on 15 lots. The leading vendor on gross was Western Breeders Alliance, just ahead of Yarradale Stud, while Amelia Park Racing and Breeding was leading vendor on average (3 or more sold). The leading sire by average (3 or more sold) was Zoustar ahead of War Chant, Nicconi, Blackfriars and Magnus.

Across the day over $8.84 million was traded on 124 lots sold at a record average price of $71,302. The clearance rate tonight sits at 73 per cent. The number of six figures lots sold was up from 24 last year, to 30 on Day One in 2020.

"It was a really solid day's trade today," Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. "The huge average of over $71,000 is well up on last year and the gross of over $8.8 million is impressive considering we grossed $2 million less last year."

"It's a disappointing clearance rate, which will improve over the next 24 hours."

"As the results indicate everyone was playing a part - from the locals to our interstate and international visitors."

"It was a great result today for one of the state's most celebrated breeders in Ellie Giles. We couldn't be more thrilled for her to top the sale."

"Tomorrow's sale will present so many opportunities to buyers considering the healthy prizemoney and incentives around the state," Bowditch added.

To view the results from Day One and to make an offer on a passed in lot click here.

Day Two of the 2020 Perth Yearling Sale will be held from 11am (WA time) on Tuesday.

BOOK ONE STATISTICS
(2019 in brackets)

Lots Catalogued: 185 (155)
Lots Sold: 124 (105)
Lots Passed In: 46 (31)
Lots Withdrawn: 15 (19)
Sale Gross: $8,841,500 ($6,823,000)
Top Price: $240,000 ($260,000)
Average Price: $71,302 ($64,981)
Median Price: $55,000 ($55,000)
Sold %: 73 (77)

BOOK ONE TOP SELLERS

$240,000 - War Chant-Brocky's Ace filly (Lot 166)
Vendor: Willow Dale Farm (As Agent for Korilya Stud) / Buyer: Attunga Stud/Clarke Bloodstock (NSW)

$200,000 - Winning Rupert-Bitter Twist colt (Lot 161)
Western Breeders Alliance / Matt Laurie Racing (Vic)

$180,000 - War Chant-Verse filly (Lot 133)
Yarradale Stud / Thoroughbred Owners Association & Sports Trust (Singapore)

$170,000 - War Chant-Diamonds'n'dreams colt (Lot 5)
Yarradale Stud / Neville Parnham Racing (WA)

$170,000 - So You Think-Magical Belle filly (Lot 56)
Western Breeders Alliance / McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont B'stock (SA)

$170,000 - Blackfriars-Sky Rumba colt (Lot 104)
Dawson Stud / Simon Miller Racing (WA)

LEADING BUYERS
(ranked by total spend)

$1,016,000 - Adam Durrant Racing - 15 lots
$637,500 - Neville Parnham Racing - 7 lots
$543,500 - John Chalmers Bloodstock - 11 lots
$390,000 - Pearce Racing - 4 lots
$330,000 - McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock - 2 lots

LEADING SIRES
(ranked by average - 3 or more sold)

$150,000 - Zoustar - 3 sold
$128,125 - War Chant - 8 sold
$120,833 - Nicconi - 3 sold
$84,571 - Blackfriars - 7 sold
$80,833 - Magnus - 3 sold

LEADING VENDORS
(ranked by gross)

$1,095,000 - Western Breeders Alliance - 15 sold
$1,025,000 - Yarradale Stud - 10 sold
$957,500 - Mungrup Stud - 16 sold
$837,000 - Dawson Stud - 10 sold
$675,000 - Amelia Park Racing & Breeding - 6 sold

LEADING VENDORS
(ranked by average - 3 or more sold)

$112,500 - Amelia Park Racing & Breeding - 6 sold
$102,500 - Yarradale Stud - 10 sold
$93,333 - Rangeview Stud - 3 sold
$91,000 - Willow Dale Farm - 5 sold
$88,333 - Alwyn Park Stud - 6 sold