Hong Kong agent George Moore buys the top two lots on Day 1 at Adelaide Yearling Sale.
George Moore spent up on Day 1 of the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, ending Monday with the two highest-priced lots of the sale.
Two horses sold for more than $200,000, the first a colt by Capitalist out of the Snitzel mare Figlmuller, who is a half-sister to Skyline Stakes winner Santos, that Moore went to $220,000 for on behalf of Hong Kong clients.
Moore then teamed with former local trainer Lloyd Kennewell to snare a colt by Harry Angel for $230,000.
The Willow Grove Stud-prepared youngster is out of the Exceed And Excel mare Kibibi, who is a sister to Athelric and from the family of Vengeance Of Rain, Dizelle and therefore Pinot.
"I think he's more of an Exceed And Excel than a Harry Angel, being out of an Exceed And Excel mare," Moore said.
"The pedigree suits for Hong Kong with Vengeance Of Rain in the fourth dam.
"We might need to give him a little bit of time before breaking him in, but I think he's going to develop into a really nice horse and we've got the trainer involved, so that's just a bonus."
Moore's two big buys were the headline lots of a day that saw $8,351,000 change hands at an average of $53,877 with a clearance rate of 77 percent.
Last year's opening day grossed $10,190,000 at an average of $60,532 with an 80 percent clearance.
"I thought it was a solid day's trade," Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said.
"We are keen to move the clearance rate up into the 80 per cent range or a bit better. Vendors are being very genuine about wanting to sell their horses here.
"A horse that came into the ring who had a lot of quality about it sold accordingly. There's some good buyers here, you've a lot of the leading stables represented here, you've got good international participation.
"When you look at the buying bench and the demographic whether it be the domestic buyers from all the different states, or international buyers, I think it's a good spread and I'd think it will be something similar tomorrow."
The Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale continues on Wednesday when lots 235 to 468 will be offered.
DAY ONE TOP SELLERS
$230,000: Lot 152 – Harry Angel-Kibibi colt (bought by Kennewell Racing/George Moore B'stock)
$220,000: Lot 87 – Capitalist-Figlmuller colt (George Moore Bloodstock)
$180,000: Lot 100 – Ilovethiscity-Golden Child colt (Henry Dwyer Racing)
$180,000: Lot 126 – Shamus Award-Il Sogno colt (TFI)
$170,000: Lot 125 – Saxon Warrior-Idyllic Mood filly (Proven T'breds/Kerry Parker)
$170,000: Lot 145 – Strasbourg-Just Zerene filly (Phillip Stokes Racing/Connolly B'stock)
