Perth’s new-look Magic Millions Premier Session was a runaway success on Tuesday.  The 130 lots averaged a record $70,714 at a very healthy 80% clearance rate.

The 2011 Perth Premier Sale averaged $44,669 over three select sessions.  Magic Millions and the WA Breeders’ Association agreed to streamline this year’s auction so that the State’s top yearlings were all available on the first day.

Arrowfield sire Snitzel topped the Premier Session on Tuesday at $240,000.  He was sold by Oakland Park Stud to local agent Damien Wyer for clients of trainer Jim Taylor.  “He was the colt of the sale,” Wyer said.  “He had a great walk, had good x-rays and we were keen to buy him.”

The colt was of three yearlings to sell for $200,000 or more – the others were an Oratorio half brother to King Saul for $205,000 to Dan Morton and the Bernardini colt from Born Priceless for $200,000 purchased by Cameron Cooke Bloodstock.

Morton was delighted with the purchase of the Oratorio – Zenda colt for $205,000 from the draft of Namerik Thoroughbreds.  “He’s an outstanding colt and I’m excited to be able to buy him,” Morton reported.  “I loved the horse and his family is setting the world on fire.”

Magic Millions will oversee two days of Select Sessions on Wednesday and Thursday and there will be a General Session on Saturday evening.

“The Premier Session proved a great success with quality lots attracting strong interest,” Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox said.  “It was great to see a number of horses exceed their reserve prices by strong figures and it was pleasing to see a healthy clearance rate.

“There are some top prospects to go under the hammer on Wednesday night and again on Thursday,” Cox reported.  “We don’t always get it right when grading catalogues and I know some of those still to go under the hammer are sure to impress buyers.”

PREMIER SESSION TOP SELLERS

$240,000 – Snitzel-Diamonds and Dust colt
Vendor: Oakland Park Stud / Buyer: Damien Wyer (WA)

$205,000 – Oratorio-Zenda colt
Namerik Thoroughbreds / Dan Morton (WA)

$200,000 – Bernardini-Born Priceless colt
Yarradale Stud / Cameron Cooke Bloodstock (Vic)

$190,000 – Choisir-Dancing Pago filly
Geisel Park Stud / Neville Parnham (WA)

$180,000 – Oratorio-Scuffs colt
Mungrup Stud (As Agent) / Mt Hallowell Stud (WA)

$170,000 – Fastnet Rock-Convictions colt
Gold Front Thoroughbred Breeding & Racing / Lou Luciani (WA)

$165,000 – More than Ready-Rose of Latakia colt
Gold Front Thoroughbred Breeding & Racing / Cameron Cooke Bloodstock (Vic)

$150,000 – Oratorio-True Surrender colt
Mungrup Stud / John Chalmers Bloodstock (WA)

$140,000 – Lonhro-Hi on Love colt
Oakland Park Stud / G Hart (WA)

$140,000 – O’Reilly-Jestatune filly
Oakland Park Stud / Andrew Noblet Racing (Vic)

$135,000 – Bernardini-Adalia filly
Geisel Park Stud / Wally Mitchell (WA)

$135,000 – Snitzel-Perpendicular gelding
Oakland Park Stud / Tony Noonan (Vic)

$130,000 – Blackfriars-Voltage Pak colt
Durham Lodge / William Robinson (WA)

$130,000 – Choisir-Tantra Dancer colt
Dawson Stud / KL Chong (Malaysia)

$120,000 – Blackfrairs-Ruby Doll colt
Durham Lodge (As Agent) / Neville Parnham (WA)

$105,000 – Commands-Betrille colt
Newhaven Park (As Agent) / Wally Mitchell (WA)

$100,000 – So Secret-Dance Hi colt
Rangeview Stud / John Smith (WA)

$100,000 – Bletchley Park-Clarecastle colt
Mogumber Park / Paul Jordan (WA)

$100,000 – Citidancer-Shathor colt
Alwyn Park Stud / KL Chong (Malaysia)