DAY one of the 2011 Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast marked another highpoint in the career of More Than Ready whose progeny were in heavy demand.
The Vinery Stud resident was represented by 11 yearlings on day one of the epic sale, with 9 of them changing hands at an average of $177,272 against the combined average $127,172.
His highest priced yearling was the stunning bay or brown colt out of the Group One BRC Doomben Cup winner Cinque Centro, which sold to Gai Waterhouse for $410,000.
Waterhouse has made no secret of her affection for the breed, describing More Than Ready as ‘the greatest sire since Star Kingdom’.
Racing first lady also prepared one of the stallions two recent Golden Slipper winners (Sebring in 2008) as well as the nation’s undisputed champion racemare, More Joyous and filly More Strawberries.
”We were delighted with the way the More Than Ready’s sold on day one,” says Vinery’s Adam White.
”Not only were they well above the average but all bar two of those that were offered were sold – bearing in mind the clearance rate on day one here was 75 percent overall.”
Apart from the returns to vendors, White said Vinery and their respective clients were thrilled with the roll call of buyers, which reads like a veritable who’s who in the racing industry.
Buyers of More Than Ready yearlings on day of the 2011 Magic Millions included Mark Kavanagh, Duncan Ramage, Gerald Ryan, Lee Freedman, Neville Parnham, Danny O’Brien and Gai Waterhouse.
”All of those yearlings are going to get the best opportunity to succeed going to such elevated stables as those,” said White.
”Nothing makes a breeder happier than to see their yearling go to a leading stable.”
Meanwhile, day one has proven to be a successful venture for More Than Ready’s associate sire, Testa Rossa, whose top priced yearling was Lot 50, a colt out of Capto sold for $150,000 To Hong Kong based Bahen Bloodstock.
”Bart Cummings, Paul Perry, Sean Buckely and Grahame Begg bought the others on Day One, so once again, we are encouraged by who is buying them, not just for how much,” says White.
The highlight for Mossman, on a quiet opening day numbers wise, was Lot 209, a half brother to Princess Margaret who sold for $100,000 to Shoot Out’s trainer, John Wallace.
”Mossman has two runners in the Magic Millions on Saturday, and you can bet they will get a whole lot dearer if one of them happened to win,” White declared.
