Victorian vendor Ampulla Lodge topped Day 1 of the Magic Millions Sale with an $800,000 Exceed And Excel – Common Smytzer colt that was pin-hooked at last year’s Inglis Great Southern Foal Sale.

Ampulla Lodge owner Steve Jostlear was overwhelmed after Hong Kong based George Moore Bloodstock beat off several under-bidders to buy the session-topper.

“I bought him from Makybe at Oaklands Junction for $300,000,” Jostlear said.  “That was big money and I’m pretty sure it’s a record for a foal in Melbourne.  But he’s a beautiful colt and was just what we were looking for.”

Jostlear is based at Bunyip and is one of the most astute pin-hookers on the sale circuit.  “He was the best foal we inspected by a long way last year,” Jostlear recalled.  “I gave him a carrot and he ate it.  You know that’s the one when they eat the carrot!”

The bay colt is a brother to G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Exceedingly Good who is now a popular sire at Wattle Brae Stud in Queensland.  He’s also a half-brother to Common Interest (More Than Ready) who has won stakes races in Melbourne and Singapore.

Moore indicated the colt will be educated in NSW before any decision is made about his future.  “He looks a forward type and an ideal sprinter,” he said.  “We don’t have a client yet but I’m sure there’s someone in Hong Kong who will want to purchase him.”

Makybe owner Tony Santic had Common Smytzer (Snippets) covered by Arrowfield Stud shuttler Olympic Glory in October.

EXCEED AND EXCEL – COMMON SMYTZER COLT