With the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes winner Streets Of Avalon and the dual Group II VRC TAB Stakes winner and Group 1 Oakleigh Plate third Kemalpasa leading the way for Magnus this season, the success on the track is being reflected in the sales ring.
At the opening session of the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale on Sunday, the Sun Stud stalwart had six sell for $320,000, $230,000, $200,000, $190,000, $60,000 and $50,000.
That is an average of $175,000, which came off a fee of $19,800 in 2018 when these yearlings were conceived.
Little wonder the owners of 137 mares rushed to Magnus in 2020 when his fee was reduced to $15,400.
Astute Bloodstock and Ciaron Maher Racing combined to outlay $320,000 for Blue Gum Farm’s half-sister to five winners, including the Group III winner Moozoon.
Fittingly, this record priced yearling by Magnus was bred by the man who has championed his cause more than any other.
He is Rob Crabtree, the owner/breeder of Magnus. The filly was offered on behalf of Crabtree’s Dorrington Farm, who had plenty to celebrate on the day as the breeder of the Written Tycoon colt that set a new mark for the sale when James Harron had the final say at $1.1million.
It was Blue Gum Farm as agent for Dorrington Farm again when Ciaron Maher had the final say at $230,000 for a Magnus colt out of the Palace Music mare Palatine Hill.
There were no surprises here. The strikingly marked bay is a half-brother to the Group 1 VRC Makybe Diva Stakes and Group 1 VRC Australian Guineas hero Palentino and the Group III MRC Sandown Stakes winner Junipal.
The third lot by Magnus to make $200,00 or more on the opening day was a bay colt offered by Rushton Park, who was hammered down to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for an even $200,000.
The colt is the second foal of Fortrus Dancer, a 3-time winning daughter of Starcraft.
Fortrus Dancer is a half-sister to the stakes winners Just A Kiseki. Mr Trickster and the stakes-placed Brazen Hussy and the dam of the Listed Albury Gold cup winner and near $500,000 earner Willi Willi.
Falling one bid short of $200,000 was Bucklee Farm’s Magnus colt out of the winning Keep The Faith mare No Vanity.
The powerfully made colt is a half-brother to Clarice Cliffs (Canford Cliffs), a 4-time winner in Melbourne and runner-up in the Group III VRC Frances Tressady Stakes.
It was Tom Nikolic Racing that made the winning bid of $190,000.
