Redoute's Choice leads the way at Magic Millions

A pair of colts by Redoute's Choice

attracted final bids of A$650,000 to top Thursday's opening session of

the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast. Prominent Korean

businessman Dong-Gu Kang, operating under the banner of Magic Classic Pty Ltd.,

was first to flash the near-record bid to secure a son of Arrowfield Stud's red

hot sire from the draft of Neville Stewart's Oaklands Stud. The weanling is out

of Closure (Alysheba) and is a half-brother to U.S. stakes winner Salute Him

(Sea Salute).

"Dong-Gu loved the colt when he first laid eyes on him and he will most likely

retain him to race here in Australia with other members of his syndicate, and

hopefully win some good races and retire him to stud," said Magic Millions

Managing Director David Chester. He added that Kang is currently in the process

of applying for Australian residency.

Also bringing A$650,000 was a colt by Redoute's Choice out of Mascara Magic (Citidancer). A

supplementary entry to the sale from the consignment of Kitchwin Hill, agent,

the colt was purchased by New Zealand stud manager Mark Chittick. Chittick, who

signed the ticket on behalf of Haunui Farm, outlasted South African agent Andy

Williams of World Wide Bloodstock.

"He's a cracker," Chittick said of the

weanling. "We've been associated for many years with Kitchwin Hills and (stud

manager) Mick (Malone) told us a few weeks back the colt would be heading to

this sale. Taking into account he didn't have a full sale preparation we thought

he was an outstanding colt who would furnish into an outstanding yearling."

A

colt by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) sold at last year's auction to set the sales

record of A$660,000. During Thursday's session, 158 weanlings sold for

A$6,163,300. The first day average rose 68.6 percent from a year ago to

A$39,008.

The second session of the three-day weanling sale takes place Friday.