Emerging Hong Kong-based buyer Mr Little Hung is forming a serious affiliation with quality colts by Snitzel at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

He bought a $700,000 Snitzel – Beauty World sale-topper at Oaklands last year and that colt now races as Ducimus – undefeated after two starts and already a stakes winner.

When the 2017 Premier Sale got underway on Sunday, Mr Hung topped the leader-board again with $620,000 for a Snitzel – Mightier colt from Millford Thoroughbreds.

Mr Hung has become a big investor in the industry and has already bought up big in Japan and Ireland this year.  The $620,000 buy was the fourth-highest priced colt ever sold at the Premier Yearling Sale, following a bidding duel with the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

“We had our heart set on him after all the inspections,” Mr Hung said.   “He’s a strapping colt, big boned, great girth and hind quarter.  He’s a sensible colt, he’s got a brain on him and you really need that.

“I knew he’d be popular, and when two people want the same thing at an auction, you need to be strong and we were.”

Millford was one of 36 vendors to enjoy a perfect clearance rate on Day 1, with Maluka Thoroughbreds selling all 7 they entered while Woodside Park sold five from five and ended the day as the leading vendor by aggregate at $975,000.

Day 1 ended with a strong clearance rate of 81%, an average of $124,414 and a gross of $13.68 million.  The Blue Riband session was again a success, averaging $134,692 with a clearance rate of 84%.

Inglis Victorian Bloodstock Manager Simon Vivian was pleased with how Day 1 fared.  “It’s a very satisfying start and knowing the quality that’s still to come, we can go into the next few days with an absolute degree of confidence,’’ Vivian said.

“The top part of the market is very strong, the median is quite amazing when compared to last year and while the clearance rate started a little soft early, the buyers found their feet as the day progressed which was great to see.’’

SNITZEL – MIGHTIER COLT FROM MILLFORD