Better Than Ready Filly Tops Day 1 at Magic Millions

Elite Thoroughbred nursery Daandine Stud headlined a "selective" day of trade at the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale March 12 when a filly (Lot 170) by reigning Queensland champion sire Better Than Ready (AUS) offered by the operation was purchased by champion trainer Tony Gollan for AU$130,000 (US$92,119, AU$1=US$0.71). At the close of trade on Day 1, Magic Millions reported that 139 yearlings had changed hands at a clearance of 63%. Despite the clearance sitting below the 67% recorded last year, turnover for the larger offering of horses improved by 43% to sit at AU$5,460,000 (US$3,869,011). The average rose to AU$39,281 (US$27,835), up 6%, while the median increased 15% to AU$30,000 (US$21,258). Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said: "It was no doubt a selective market. I think good trade horses or those good types that vetted out well, there was a solid appetite for, albeit selective. I think if you're anywhere off the pace or you've vetted a little bit bad, there are cracks to be found. "There's huge opportunity out there for the market, whether you're a trainer or an owner that wants to race, especially here in Queensland with big prize money to get involved in this catalog, because I think we've got a very motivated lot of vendors out there that are looking to meet the market, wherever they possibly can." Bowditch noted that while the clearance rate was not where they would like it to be, several key metrics had strengthened year-on-year. "Obviously, the clearance rate of 63% is not where we want to end up. And we'll be obviously working very hard between now and the end of the sale tomorrow to get that up to an acceptable level. But fundamentally, we've sold almost 40 more horses than what we did at the same stage last year. "We've got an increased average. We've got a gross that is AU$1.8 (million) up on last year. So, there are plenty of numbers that are pleasing. If we can move our clearance rate in the right direction, and the buyers find an appetite to really get involved, I think there's a great opportunity to improve our numbers and end up with a satisfying result come the end of tomorrow." He added that the sale's position late in the Australasian yearling sales season may have contributed to buyers, particularly interstate and international, taking a more cautious approach. "I think they've played a part, but they're being selective," Bowditch said. "I think as the year goes on, they are more selective. They're getting to the point where we're a long way through the year when it comes to lots being sold. They've got other sales they want to go to, whether it be next week or in weeks and months to go on; it's been a busy time over the last six weeks." The top-selling Better Than Ready filly is the second foal from six-time winner and multiple stakes placegetter Gem Of Scotland, and vendors Jan Clark and John Robbins were pleased, though not surprised, to see her attract strong interest in the ring. "We're very pleased. We try to get them into the best stables to give them every chance," Clark told ANZ News. "She is a lovely walking filly. She's been really good and has handled this preparation and down here very well. Quite a few people looked at her. She had a lot of vet inspections." Punching well above their weight in terms of graduate success, Daandine is the nursery that famously produced Written Tycoon (AUS), Capitalist (AUS), Southport Tycoon (AUS), as well as Isotope (AUS), who are just the headline acts among a host of other stakes-winning graduates. "People are starting to know that Daandine produces winners," Robbins added. "We've got a good name throughout, probably Australia, and our name is getting stronger every year. We get repeat buyers, particularly in January. We're very happy with where the horses that we've sold today have gone." "This filly (Lot 170) was probably the pick of them so far. She's a nice, sharp filly. I remember her mother racing, and she was quite a good mare. So, out of a good mare, by a good stallion, what you come here to buy are QTIS (Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme) horses, which is a sharp, early running daughter of Better Than Ready. "I think we've got about six into the stable so far, so we've got a good sale so far. It's good buying here today, and long may it continue. The second and final day of the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale will begin March 13 at 10 a.m. local time.