The 2006 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale began at Morphettville Tuesday
with a daughter of General Nediym topping the session at A$250,000. Locally
based horseman Mark Kavanagh, who prepares the filly’s stakes-winning
half-sister Divine Madonna (Hurricane Sky), signed the ticket. The chestnut,
selling as Lot No. 92, was consigned by Mill Park on behalf of breeders Peter
and Serena Watson and Bob Dinham.
“She was a nicely balanced filly,” Kavanagh said. “A nice walker and the best
filly here.”
Divine Madonna runs in Wednesday’s Robert Sangster S. (Aus-G1).
“I’m hoping this filly will turn out very cheap come (Wednesday) afternoon,”
he added. “Divine Madonna should run very well.”
She was produced by the Prego mare My Madonna (Prego), who is also the dam of
Group 3 winner Blessum. The mare has a two-year-old filly by Gilded Time who
sold for A$230,000 last year, a foal by Flying Spur and is in foal to Rock of
Gibraltar (Ire).
There were buyers present from every corner of Australia as well as overseas,
but making an impact at the sale was local bloodstock company Blue Sky
Thoroughbreds and their managing director Mark Sowerby. Sowerby, alongside
leading Sydney trainer Greg Hickman, purchased Lot 102, a Choisir filly, for
A$130,000.
“We purchased the filly because we really like the Choisir progeny — they
are well built and athletic types,” Sowerby said. “This filly we liked
particularly as she is closely related to multiple Group 2 winner Camena. Greg
Hickman really liked her, and he is a good judge,” he added, “Blue Sky
Thoroughbreds will focus on the syndication of two-year-olds, to be trained and
race in South Australia and on the east coast. Our focus is quality, regardless
of the price.”
Blue Sky Thoroughbreds has been operating in South Australia for close to two
years, and currently have horses in training with Mark Kavanagh and Greg
Hickman, and will also be soon placing horses with David Hayes.
All in all, 166 yearlings sold Tuesday for A$5,992,000 and an average of
A$36,096. The clearance rate was 74.4 percent. The figures kept pace with last
year’s opening session, when 148 lots sold grossed A$5,486,500 for an average of
$37,071.
“As has been the case with all yearling sales in Australia this year the top
offerings of the day were well received by a top-class buying bench,” said David
Chester, the auction company’s managing director.