The headlines will have the sale being recorded as a boomer, establishing an incredibly strong buyers bench and an entry fee into the market that was not for the faint hearted.
Spurred on by a buoyant economic outlook, the biggest contributor to the sale was the recent announcement by
Magic Millions of their
massive increase in Prizemoney for graduates of this years sale, with the guarantee that from
2016 the Magic Millions Raceday would be worth a staggering $10 million, making it the most valuable raceday in Australia.
To be eligible for this, buyers swooped upon the catalogued lots, knowing the rewards will be handsome if their purchases can deliver.
At the close of Day 1's trading, 140 yearlings had traded hands for an average of $166,679 with a median price of $130,000. The only dampener on a brisk day was the high pass in rate of 41 to give a clearance rate of 77.35%
However as the saying goes
"Reward For Effort" and the harder you work the luckier you get.
We believe this came true on
Day 1 at the Magic Millions for Team Dynamic. The days of hard slog paid off handsomely for our team as we purchased 5 wonderful yearlings without being swept up in the hype.
On Day 1 Dynamic Syndications had purchased 5 lots - 3 for Gai Waterhouse and 2 for Gerald Ryan. We secured 3 fillies and 2 colts by sires: MORE THAN READY, SNITZEL, STREET CRY, NOT A SINGLE DOUBT and exciting first crop sire FOXWEDGE. We spent $515,000 for an average of $103,000 with a spread of prices from $80,000 to $120,000.
However it wasn't easy shopping. We had 278 yearlings to be inspected based upon pedigree qualification which was culled to 103 to re-inspect with our veterinarian Dr Johnny Walker.
This was reduced by 12 lots to finish with 91 on our final shortlist which we had their X-rays inspected after completing physical inspections.
Day 1 had 25 qualified lots and we bid upon all 25, to end up with 5 purchases.
Frustratingly, we were the direct underbidder on 9 of these yearlings whilst upon the other 11 yearlings, we were blown out of the water !
The art in our business is to know when to withdraw from the heat of sale ring battle.
We wish those who purchased these yearlings we missed, the best of luck with their buys however we simply can't pay overs for any lot. We must achieve value for money otherwise it's the owners who end up loosing out.
So, with our ceiling prices for each lot firmly established, whilst we didn't buy 20 of these yearlings, the 5 we did purchase, were 5 top quality lots at exceptional value for money.
Gai Waterhouse with Rachel & Fiona at the sales
We are also aware that the best time to buy is often in the first half hour and the final half hour of a sale day. The first 30 minutes vendors are nervous about setting reserves whilst the buying bench is cautious not to rush in whilst the final 30 minutes, buyers withdraw after the battle to reassess their positions, they may have been set earlier in the day or buyers retreat and wait for the following day. This was certainly the case on Day 1 and we took advantage of the situation.
Lot 14. MORE THAN READY / VINTEDGE Filly foaled 20/9/13 BOBS Eligible
To be trained by Gai Waterhouse.
By More Than Ready - a Champion Sire that needs no introduction.
135 Stakes Winners & Champion 2yo Sire.
14.7% Runners: Black Type ratio ;
5.84 Winners (1263): Placegetters (216) ratio ;
Ave Earnings Index 1.69
73.5% Starters: Winners ratio ;
Current Service Fee $66,000
From VINTEDGE (by Flying Spur) - Gr2 and LR Winner of 6 races & 4 times Stakes Placed from 1400m to 2000m with $610,210
This filly is bred on the most successful cross for the sire which produced Sebring.
Genetic Rating: A++ 3,26%
Super filly - rated STTL (Straight To Tulloch Lodge)
Lot 22. SNITZEL / WORKHARD Colt foaled 11 October 2013 BOBS Eligible
To be trained by Champion Trainer Gai Waterhouse
By the brilliant young sire who is set to become Champion Sire.
14.9% Runners: Black Type ratio ;
5.01 Winners (261): Placegetters (51) ratio ;
Ave Earnings Index 2.35
67.3% Starters: Winners ratio ;
Increased Service Fee from $49,500 at conception to $71,500 last season.
From WORKHARD (by Red Ransom)
Bred on the successful SNITZEL / ROBERTO cross which has produced 2 Stakes Winners to date
Genetic rating A 204% Q7
Sale Rating: STTL (straight to Tulloch Lodge)
Lot 52. STREET CRY / AH HA ( by Encosta de Lago) Colt Foaled 21 September 2013 BOBS Eligible
To be trained by GERALD RYAN
By the Champion sire STREET CRY 86 Stakes Winners
14.5% Runners: Black Type ratio ;
5.36 Winners (236): Placegetters (44) ratio in Australia
71.3% Starters: Winners ratio ;
Service Fee $110,000
From AH HA ( by top 3 broodmare sire ENCOSTA DE LAGO). She is the daughter of HA HA - Champion 2yo & Champion 3yo of Australia.
Brilliant colt with stallion appeal.
Genetic Rating: A 189% Q9
NOTE: Purchased from Baramul Stud owned by Gerry Harvey. Gerry was so impressed with this colt he had produced that he has purchased back 20% to race with Dynamic Syndications & Gerald Ryan.
Lot 166. NOT A SINGLE DOUBT / CLOUDYGAZE Filly Foaled 15 September 2013 BOBS Eligible
To be trained by Gai Waterhouse
One of Gai's Best Of Sale yearlings together we targeted this filly to aim specifically at the Magic Millions race next year. A genuine go early 2yo type. Born to run !
By the leading sire of 2yo's NOT A SINGLE DOUBT.
11.05 Runners: Black Type ratio
3.39 Winners (268): Placegetters (79) ratio
62.2% Starters: Winners ratio
Service Fee $33,000
From CLOUDYGAZE - 5 wins to 1400m $120,540. 1/2 sister to SW Athelnoth from a 1/2 sister to Magic Millions Winner ZEPHYRZ and SW Cloudlet
Genetic Rating A + 830% Q5
Sale Rating STTL (straight to Tulloch Lodge)
Lot 191. FOXWEDGE / DE LAGO LASS Filly Foaled 4 October 2013 BOBS Eligible
To be trained by GERALD RYAN
This filly is the 3/4 sister to ROTHESAY and a direct descendant of CANNY LASS
By the exciting first crop sire and highest ever rated son of of Fastnet Rock. Day 1 stats have returned a high of $350,000 and an average of $190,000 on a Service Fee at conception of $33,000.
From De Lago Lass (by top 3 broodmare sire Encosta de Lago). Dam of 2 winners to date inc Falago by Fastnet Rock. This is a quality family with excellent residual value upon racetrack retirement.
Genetic Rating A+ 604% Q6
This filly was on Gerald Ryan's top selection of fillies at the sale and matched ours so together we targeted this filly for his stables.
Having secured a solid base of 5 lots on Day 1 we look forward to adding to this number as the sale continues. Stay tuned and follow our action on social media.