Perth yearling sale records smashed as sister of Railway Stakes winner goes under the hammer

Railway Stakes winner Bustler’s sister by top sire Playing God smashed a WA record when auctioned for $625,000 at Thursday’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale opening session. The bay filly, offered on behalf of Narrikup breeders Mungrup Stud, was bought by Melbourne bloodstock agent Sheamus Mills, acting for undisclosed owners. In unprecedented bidding at a Perth sale, the average price rose to almost $100,000. WA’s yearling sale record had stood at $375,000 until eclipsed early in Thursday’s spirited buying duels. A $99,525 average was notched on 142 lots sold for a total of $14.1 million at the opening session of the two-day sale which resumes on Friday. The average rose by more than $6000 on first day sale figures last year and Thursday’s auction had a 79 percent clearance rate. Three of Thursday’s four top lots are by WA’s new premier sire Playing God, whose reputation was boosted further when Bustler won the $1.5 million Railway Stakes for trainer Neville Parnham at Ascot last November. Mills outstayed interstate and local trainers and owners to buy Bustler’s sister in a lively clash that had bids flying from rival prospsective buyers. “She’s best filly I’ve seen at sales in Queensland, New Zealand and Sydney this year,” Mills said, “She’ll be trained in the Eastern States.” Mungrup Stud principal Gray Williamson said he had hoped the filly would remain in Perth. “But it’s a great promotion for WA thoroughbred breeding that she’s going interstate,” Williamson said. “She’s the most impressive yearling I’ve offered in many years of selling. The filly’s powerful and relaxed. I thought she could fetch about $400,000. “I couldn’t believe it when bidding climbed to more than $600,000. The filly looks as if she’ll mature into a race winning proposition as a late two-year-old.” Magic Millions statistics listed Eastern States winner Born Princess, by Elusive Quality from Born Pricelessly, as WA’s previous record-priced yearling. She was sold in 2007. Her record was broken on Thursday when leading WA co-trainers Grant and Alana bought lot 26, a Brazen Beau colt, in partnership for $375,000. The bay, offered by Yarradale Stud, is from Sydney and Melbourne winner Osborne Bulls’ family. China Horse Club is among syndicate members who teamed with the Williams stable to buy the colt. The other two Playing Gods in Thursday’s top four lots were a colt from Boutique (sold for $350,,000) and a filly from Precious Cargo ($250,000). More yearling are expectedto fetch high prices when the auction resumes at 10am on Friday. + Kalgoorlie racetrack has been severely affected by heatwave conditions and its scheduled opening meeting next month will be transferred to Esprance,