Waterhouse doubles up with Encosta at Magic Millions on Day 3

Gai Waterhouse continued her buying spree at the Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale on Friday.

Waterhouse topped Day 2 with $700,000 for an Encosta de Lago – Ha Ha filly and she reprised that result with $620,000 for an Encosta de Lago – River Song colt on Day 3.  From Coolmore Stud, the colt is out of a Fusaichi Pegasus mare related to 2009 AJC Sires’ Produce winner Manhattan Rain (G1).

“He’s one of the most attractive horses in the sale,” Waterhouse said.  “He looks great value.  There’s no doubt a few years ago he would have made a lot more.”

Gai purchased the colt for the syndicate that raced her Golden Slipper winning colt Sebring.  “It’s a great time to be buying horses – especially as the prizemoney keeps going up.”

Waterhouse is the leading buyer, by spend, after three sessions having signed for 13 youngsters for a tick over $2.72 million.

With three sessions of the sale completed over $56.3 million had been traded on 438 youngsters at an average price of $128,551.  The clearance rate continues to rise and is now over 80%.

A Redoute’s Choice filly bred on the renowned cross with Sir Tristram that produced champion Samantha Miss was bought for $520,000.  The filly was purchased by Damon Gabbedy of Belmont Bloodstock and is the fifth foal out of Group-winning mare Piper Star.

Prices at the top end of the market continued to fall short of the $1 million mark on the third day of the sale.  A half-brother to last year’s Golden Slipper and Magic Millions Classic winner Phelan Ready was passed in early in the session.  The Holy Roman Emperor colt failed to make a $500,000 reserve.

“The sale continues to improve and I’m particularly thrilled with the clearance rate growth over the last couple of days,” Magic Millions Managing Director David Chester said on Friday night.  “There has been plenty of good competition on a number of the lots – but I still think buyers are getting exceptional value.”

DAY 3 – TOP SELLERS

$620,000 – Encosta de Lago-River Song colt
Vendor: Coolmore Stud / Buyer: Gai Waterhouse

$520,000 – Redoute’s Choice-Piper Star filly
Reavill Farm/ Belmont Bloodstock

$400,000 – Encosta de Lago-Sister Fromseattle colt
Evergreen Stud Farm / E Thoroughbred

$400,000 – Redoute’s Choice – Platonic colt
Baramul Stud / Gai Waterhouse
 
$400,000 – Encosta de Lago – Sister Declan colt
Reavill Farm/ Ingham Racing
 
$400,000 – Flying Spur -Regimental Gal colt
Cressfield / Patinack Farm