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A colt by Rommel tops on Friday when sold to Neville Parnham for $180,000
A colt by Rommel (Commands) from the draft of Mogumber Park, where the stallion stands, topped Book Two of the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale on Friday when bought by Parnham Racing Stables for a new record price of $180,000.
During Book Two, 124 of the 129 lots offered sold for $5,053,500, with the clearance rate at a staggering 96 per cent. The turnover was up 29 per cent from 2020 when 122 lots sold for $3,916,000. The average price was $40,754, up 27 per cent from $32,098 a year ago, while the median was $35,000, up 25 per cent from $28,000 in 2020. A total of eight lots sold on Friday for $100,000 or more.
The session topping colt was catalogued as Lot 228 and he is the second foal out of the unraced Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) mare Snow Pixie. The mare’s first foal, a sister to this colt, is called Pixie Chix and has been placed third since the catalogue was published. Unlucky in the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m), she is also due to run over 1000 metres at Ascot on Saturday.
The second most expensive lot sold on Friday was a filly by Playing God (Blackfriars) who was bought by David Harrison’s Bridge Patrol Lodge for $130,000. Sold by Willaview Park as Lot 261, the filly is out of 11-time winning mare Alchemic (Tribu) who has produced three winners to date.
Roy Rogers Racing finished Book 2 as the leading buyer, spending $357,500 on five lots while Bridge Patrol Lodge spent $290,000 on four yearlings. Scenic Lodge was the leading vendor by aggregate with 13 of the 14 lots they offered sold for $694,500 at an average of $53,423. Willaview Park led the way by average (with three or more lots sold) having sold four yearlings at an average of $64,000.
Snippetson (Snippets) finished the day as the leading sire by both aggregate and average, with nine lots sold for $636,000 at an average of $70,667.
WA-based purchasers spent $4,650,000 on 115 lots, accounting for 92 per cent of turnover. Buyers from South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Hong Kong were also active during Book 2.
“It was a sensational day in the Swan Valley,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. “The result endorses the investment of not only what Magic Millions has made, but also RWWA with prize money boosts, enhanced Westspeed bonuses and stimulation of ownership.
“The buyers are endorsing this and are getting behind the local industry and supporting the product like never before.
“Obviously it’s fantastic for our vendors who have worked hard to get the horses here and it gives the breeders the confidence to continue to invest going forward.
“It’s been a remarkable few weeks in the Swan Valley. Full credit to David, Charlotte and the rest of the team who helped during the lockdown, the bushfires and to get the complex ready – a credit to everyone who was involved – it was a herculean job.
“We are now on the quick back-up and very much looking forward to the Tasmanian Yearling Sale on Monday at Quercus Park on the outskirts of Launceston.
“The Tasmanian Yearling Sale has a remarkable record of producing star racehorses and we look forward to the race night on Sunday and sales on Monday,” Bowditch added.
