Segenhoe Stud topped Day 1 of the Inglis Easter yearling sale on Tuesday with a Redoute’s Choice colt that realised $1,875,000.  Hunter Valley based nursery Kitchwin Hills was the successful buyer.

Kitchwin Hills manager Mick Malone said the colt was one of the stars of the sale.  “I saw him not long after he was born and I’ve watched him develop.  He’s a beautiful mover with lovely bone and the classic Danehill head.”

Kitchwin Hills stands up-and-coming Danehill sire Dane Shadow.  “They are the sorts of horses you need if you’re going to be successful,” Malone added.  The colt is out of the stakes winning Unbridled’s Song mare Regrowth and hails from the family of Forensics and Snippets.

Legendary Melbourne Cup mare Makybe Diva was in the news again when her filly by Fusaichi Pegasus sold for $1.20 million.  Makybe Diva was bred to Fusaichi Pegasus in 2007 after a planned mating with Encosta De Lago was scuttled due to the E.I. crisis.

Mark Kavanagh, who saddled up 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, was the winning bidder.  “I was determined to get her,” Kavanagh said.  “She’s the nicest filly I have seen in a long time.”

Turnover for Day 1 reached $30.78 million and the average of $233,182 was up 7% on the 2009 figures.  “It’s hard to expect this sale to make the same gains as some others have this year, because Easter is coming off a much higher base,” Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said on Tuesday evening.

“The main message is that these are the best yearlings in the southern hemisphere and buyers are in pole position to take advantage of what our vendors have to offer over the remaining two days.”

Hawkes Racing led the buying bench on Day 1 securing four yearlings for $2.36million.  Coolmore Stud was the leading vendor by aggregate while Makybe topped the averages for three or more sold.