Ottavio Galletta is the new owner of a $1.9 million colt, the most expensive yearling sold so far at the annual Magic Millions sale at the Gold Coast.
By the late Deep Impact out of Group winner Honesty Prevails, the colt, consigned by Arrowfield Stud and to be trained by Richard Litt, was one of four yearlings to reach $1 million or more on the second day of the sale on Thursday.
Galletta is the owner of the Litt-trained Group One winner Castelvecchio and recently bought Victory Lodge at Warwick Farm as he expands his racing interests.
Arrowfield has bought into Castelvecchio who was runner-up to newly crowned Japanese champion Lys Gracieux in the Cox Plate.
“It’s amazing to be able to work with the Gallettas. They’ve given me massive opportunities and now it’s my job to deliver,” Litt said.
“Obviously his pedigree appealed. They don’t make the Deep Impacts any more.
“He’s out of a really good mare and he’s a lovely individual as well.”
Melbourne bloodstock agent Sheamus Mills outlaid $1.5 million for the top-priced filly by Written Tycoon out of 2011 Magic Millions Classic winner Karuta Queen offered by John Singleton’s Strawberry Hill Stud.
James Bester and Coolmore’s Tom Magnier teamed up to snare a Hinchinbrook-Harlem Heat colt from Yarraman Park Stud for $1.15 million.
The fourth million dollar lot from Day 2 will be trained by Gerald Ryan at Rosehill for Chinese businessman An Zhiqiang.
“He’s a great athlete and moves so well,” Ryan said. “He’s as good a Redoute’s Choice colt as I’ve seen for quite a few years.”
“When I first saw him I fell in love with him.
“I didn’t think we would have to go as high to get him but thankfully Mr An got him and I’m looking forward to training him.”
The average for the sale now stands at $249,032 with 419 lots sold for clearance rate of 86 per cent.
Friday’s session of Book One of the sale will also feature a silent auction of seven racing items with proceeds to the Magic Millions Bushfire Appeal.
