Lindsay Park bloodstock agent
Mark Pilkington, bidding on behalf of himself and BC3 Australia’s Bill Vlahos,
picked up the
topper at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Saturday, going to
A$925,000 to get a
colt by Redoute’s Choice out of They Say (Thirty Six Red). The bay,
consigned by
Strawberry Hill Stud, is a half to 2003 Australian juvenile filly champ Hasna
(Snippets), and it was Hasna’s former trainer, Gai Waterhouse, who was the
underbidder. The
youngster will eventually join the stable of Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes.
“I think most
people on the grounds thought he was the best colt,” Pilkington said. “He has
all the necessary
athletic qualities and clearly the best pedigree in the book.”
BC3 Australia is
an offshoot of John
Brocklebank and Shane Chipman’s BC3 Thoroughbreds. Vlahos, with 16 years of
experience in
the corporate world and a degree in psychology, first got involved in racing as
an owner, then
approached Brocklebank in 2008 about forming a partnership in Australia. The CEO
of the
operation Down Under, he added that he was excited about joining forces with the
Lindsay Park
camp.
“I wanted to become involved in a top juvenile prospect and have who I
think is the
country’s best juvenile trainer prepare him,” he remarked. “I’m thrilled to be
going into a joint
partnership with such a great racing stable.”
Propelled by the topper, Redoute’s
Choice
ended the sale as the leading sire by average, with 17 sold for an average of
A$343,235. Encosta
de Lago was second, averaging A$318,421 for 19 sold, while Fastnet Rock, who had no less than 41 sold, was third for an impressive
average of
A$200,488.
Pilkington signed the ticket on eight lots, for a total of
A$1,815,000, but it was
South Africa’s Laird Racing Stable that topped the buyers with 10 yearlings
purchased for an
aggregate A$2,860,000. Waterhouse was second, acquiring 13 lots for a total of
A$2,772,500.
With an improved clearance rate of 82 percent and an average that dipped only
marginally on
last year, Magic Millions officials were pleased with the results of the 2010
Gold Coast Yearling
Sale. The average for the four select sessions was A$129,399, down just 1.7
percent from 2009.
“It’s been a very successful sale,” Magic Millions Managing Director David
Chester said. “The
sale gross is up on last year with a stronger clearance rate, and the average is
only a tick under
last year’s figures. All in all, we’re very pleased, and I’ve spoken to many
vendors and they seem
pleased with their results.”
A final open session will be held Sunday.
“There are some really attractive youngsters going under the hammer and
all astute
buyers should be there,” Chester added.