Group 1 winning mare Bounding was the star act of a stunning opening session to the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast on Wednesday.
The Lonhro mare attracted intense interest with John Moynihan, bidding for America’s Stonestreet Farm, coming out on top with a bid of $1.90 million. She will most likely be retired immediately.
“When I was here a few years ago at the Teeley Dispersal, I saw her mother and we really wanted to buy her as I thought she was beautiful,” Moynihan said. “At the time I guess Bounding was still running and her mother got sick and was in the clinic – so we didn’t get her, but this one is a carbon copy. She’s gorgeous.
“It’s an amazing family. She’s the kind of mare, if we’re lucky with her, she can provide a lot of very valuable yearlings to sell and she’s got the kind of pedigree that if she produces the right colts they can be stallions.”
Bounding was one of three mares on the day to sell for over $1 million – with Crystal Flute and Fontiton also breaking the seven-figure barrier.
Michael Wallace, bidding for the China Horse Club, was delighted to secure Crystal Flute for $1.40 million. Presented by Teeley Assets, she hails from the famous Redoute’s Choice family. “World class pedigrees are hard to acquire,” Wallace pointed out. “She’s a young mare and we can start her breeding career how we like.”
Former crack Melbourne juvenile Fontiton sold for $1.10 million to Henry Field who was acting for USA based SF Bloodstock. “She was one of those mares that had unbelievable ability and has a beautiful physique to back her up,” Field explained. “She’s a very special filly.”
Other big sellers on Day 1 included Golden Slipper placegetter Bring Me the Maid ($900,000 to Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock), last start Group 1 winner Precious Gem ($825,000 to China Horse Club), Magic Millions Classic winner Real Surreal ($800,000 to Bruce Perry Bloodstock) and Australasian Oaks winner May’s Dream ($720,000 to Willcox Bloodstock).
During the day over $28 million was traded on 172 lots sold at an average price of $163,645 at a clearance rate of 81% per cent. The average and gross rose 29% and 24% respectively on last year’s opening day’s sale.
DAY 1 TOP SELLERS
$1,900,000 – Bounding
Vendor: Willow Park Stud / Buyer: Stonestreet Farm
$1,400,000 – Crystal Flute
Teeley Assets / China Horse Club
$1,100,000 – Fontiton
Sledmere Stud / SF Bloodstock
$900,000 – Bring Me the Maid
Bhima Thoroughbreds / Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock
$825,000 – Precious Gem
Glenesk Thoroughbreds / China Horse Club
$800,000 – Real Surreal
Kolora Lodge / Bruce Perry Bloodstock