Galileo colt leads the way at first Magic Millions session

A yearling colt by Galileo (Ire) out

of Sogno (Zabeel) brought a final bid of A$140,000 to top the opening session of

the Magic Millions National Sale on the Gold Coast Sunday. Consigned by

Oakwood Farm,

agent, the bay was purchased by top local trainer John Wallace. He hails from the family of

Group 1 winners Respect and Sky Chase.

A total of 140 yearlings

brought an

aggregate of A$3,123,600 for an average of A$22,311. The average was down 19

percent

from 2005. The clearance rate was 68.3 percent, down from 76 percent a year ago.

"I would

have liked to have seen the clearance rate a little higher," Magic Millions Managing Director

David Chester said. "We expanded the catalog to three days due to incredible

demand from

breeders, and buyers in turn have been able to be more particular with their

choices.

"I have no doubt that all of the buyers today will be back again next

year. They were

the big winners and they will look back and realize what great value shopping it

was. The

average price...is pretty good when you consider we had a yearling sell for

A$400,000 on the

same day last year, and today no yearling sold for more than A$140,000."

The

second

session begins Monday. For complete results, go to www.magicmillions.com.au.