Redoute's Choice colt top choice at Magic Millions

A handsome colt by champion sire Redoute's Choice became the highest-priced

yearling ever to sell at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, eliciting a

bid of A$800,000 during Tuesday's opening select session of the three-day event.

The colt, a three-parts brother to Group 2 winner Magically (Danehill), was

purchased by Rob McAnulty and will begin his career in Sydney, according to a

press release. The price smashed the previous National Yearling Sale record of

A$480,000, set two years ago by a daughter of Redoute's Choice. McAnulty, a New

Zealander now based on the Gold Coast, said he was delighted to be able to snare

the colt, whom he described as a real standout.

"He's the gem of the sale, that's for sure," McAnulty said. "A horse like him

rarely is available at a sale like this. Physically, he's a lovely individual.

He's a spitting image of another colt by 'Redoute's' I bought earlier in the

year for A$2 million. So, considering that, I think he's great value."

McAnulty said the colt, cataloged as Lot No. 2333, was a ready-made stallion

prospect if he proved his class on the track.

"He's a three-quarter brother to a Danehill mare who's a Group 2 winner and

won another stakes race a couple of weeks ago. Imagine what he'd be worth if he

won the (Golden) Slipper (Aus-G1)."

No decision had been finalized as to which Sydney trainer would prepare the

colt for his racing career. The colt, the fifth foal from the dual Group

2-winning Loosen Up mare Magic Music, was offered by leading the nursery Baramul

Stud, which consigned the four top-priced horses on the day.

In all, numbers were up significantly from a year ago. Average skyrocketed

154 percent, from A$22,311 to A$56,635, and gross jumping from A$3,123,600 to

A$8,155,500. The National Yearling Sale continues today with a second select

session followed by a general session on Thursday. The Heinrich Racing Stables

Reduction Sale will followed Thursday's session to conclude the National Sale.

For catalog and complete results, visit www.magicmillions.com.au.