BloodHorse.com

The third session’s top price of $310,000 came when Melbourne-based agent Damon Gabbedy signed for an Oratorio – Mistress Lili colt under his Belmont Bloodstock Agency banner.

"Just an outstanding individual," Gabbedy said. "He'd be the nicest weanling I've seen anywhere this year. He's by a very exciting first season sire, and I purchased him for a new client.”

Gabbedy said his client would decide later whether the colt would be auctioned again as a yearling or be retained as a racehorse.

The colt was offered at the sale by breeder, George Fraser of Ilala Stud.

"Right from the time he was foaled he's been an absolutely outstanding individual," Fraser said. "I thought he could make a good price, but Aust$310,000 is just a brilliant result."

The price was the highest attained by any horse sold by the Hunter Valley based Ilala Stud.

"The mare slipped last season, but after producing such an outstanding foal by Oratorio we booked her back in to visit him again this season," Fraser said.

Magic Millions managing director David Chester was happy with how the select portion of the sale performed.

"With a record aggregate and average price and a really healthy clearance rate, we are definitely pleased," Chester said. "Quarantine issues with horses getting back to New Zealand because of EI (equine influenza) has affected the sale I'm sure - they (New Zealand buyers) were just so much more active across all price ranges last year. To have buyers from New Zealand, Singapore, France, Ireland and the United States, the sale has really earned its status as one of the finest in the world."

The general session of the national weanling sale is scheduled for Friday.