National treasures

Weanlings by Darley stallions and mares in foal to Darley stallions were in huge demand at the Magic Millions national sale on the Gold Coast.

It was a strong four days of trading, with the average up on the 2012 results for both the select session weanlings and select session broodmares.

Street Cry was responsible for the highest priced filly of the select session weanling sale, with his Sledmere Stud-consigned daughter out of winning Lonhro mare Munhro knocked down to Segenhoe Thoroughbreds for $280,000.

Leading stallion Exceed And Excel provided three of the top five weanlings in the sale, the highest priced of those being Rothwell Park’s filly out of Up State who sold to Hong Kong’s Sun Kingdom for $250,000. Exceed And Excel also had colts out of County Mayo and Diamond Masque sell for $180,000 and $165,000 respectively.

Given no stallion has provided more G1 wins than Commands this season, it was no surprise to see spirited bidding for his son out of Terrenora. In the end, Sun Kingdom was once again the winning bidder, purchasing the colt for $210,000, a record price for a weanling by Commands.

The select session broodmare sale gave breeders two opportunities to buy mares in foal to four-time G1 winner Sepoy and competition on both was fierce. James Harron went to $550,000 to secure Stakes winning juvenile Paprika in foal to Sepoy, while Bowcock Bloodstock as agent for Fig Tree Thoroughbreds purchased Listed winner Alberton Park in foal to Sepoy for $450,000.

The only mare sold in foal to Lonhro was imported mare Song Street, a Shamardal half-sister to Pierro’s dam Miss Right Note. Sold by Newgate Farm as agent, she was purchased by James Harron for $450,000.

Despite a very late covering date, Queen’s Fashion was knocked down for $370,000 in foal to Exceed And Excel, while Positive Dream was sold for $300,000, also carrying a positive test to Exceed And Excel.