The Queen’s bloodstock agent John Warren has paid the top price of $1.6 million on the first day of the Easter Yearling sale in Sydney.
Warren said he bought the Fastnet Rock colt out of Perfect Persuasion for a combination of Australian and international interests including the China Horse Club.
There were four lots sold for more than $1 million with Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum, a member of the royal family, paying $1.5 million for a brother to Group One winner Snitzerland who runs in Saturday’s TJ Smith Stakes.
The $1.5 million colt is likely to be trained by the Hawkes family which won Saturday’s Golden Slipper with Mossfun.
Hawkes Racing paid the highest price for a filly, outlaying $1 million for a daughter of Fastnet Rock and Hips Don’t Lie.
The sheikh’s agent Tim Stakemire also secured a Street Cry-Munhro colt for $1.05 million in his purchases which totalled $3.6 million.
Mark Webster, managing director of auctioneer William Inglis, said the results for the first day of the three-day sale were pleasing and the international buying bench was strong.
“I’m happy with the results today,” Webster said.
“The average of $280,00 is quite strong but it is a selective market and the clearance rate of 74 per cent is only fair so I would like that to improve.
“There is quite a spread of buyers. The middle eastern buyers are strong but so are the Americans.
“They are keen to buy horses to race here for the prize money we have.”
“But it’s not just about the internationals. The local trainers have also been active with John Hawkes at the top of that.
A half brother to dual Cox Plate winner So You Think and the first and only foal of grand race mare Typhoon Tracy will be offered on Wednesday.
