Blood-Horse

Smart Missile Colt Leads Way at MM Sale

9 March 2015

A colt by first-season sire Smart Missile sold for $220,000 (US$169,605) at the Magic Millions Adelaide yearling sale March 9 in Morphettville, Australia, highlighting an opening session that saw declines in gross, average, and median.

There were 67 horses sold for total sales of $2,342,000 ($1,806,616), off 10% from last year’s opening session when 70 horses changed hands.

Average price declined 9% to $34,940 ($26,952), and median dipped 6% to $25,000 ($19,282).

The clearance rate came in at 76.2%, compared with 80% at the corresponding session in 2014

The session-topping Smart Missile colt, secured by trainer Tony McEvoy, was one of four horses to sell for six-figure prices Monday evening.

The youngster is the second foal out of the winning Dubai Destination mare Goldfinger, a half sister to Australian multiple group winner Thump. He also is the first yearling to be offered at auction by Hong Kong businessman Pan Sutong’s new South Australian operation, the former Lindsay Park Stud now known as Goldin Farms.

“I’ve looked at all of the Smart Missiles at the sales this year. I believe he’s really going to make it as a stallion,” McEvoy said of the multiple group-winning son of Fastnet Rock who stands at Arrowfield Stud.

“He throws a tremendous type—good-bodied horses, and this fellow was no exception. He’s a good walking horse—a good style of horse. I had to fight a bit to get him, but I was very pleased we got him.”

Also selling for six figures Monday was an Artie Schiller colt out of Heavenly Wonder for $100,000 ($77,157). an Al Maher colt out of Hey Rosie for $110,000 ($84,857), and a Choisir filly out of Brightlands Star for $105,000 ($81,015).

Day two of the three-day Magic Millions Adelaide yearling sale will be March 10.

Source: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/90548/smart-missile-colt-leads-way-at-mm-sale