Group 1 producer Listen Here rewrote the record books when knocked down for $3.40 million at the Magic Millions National Sale on Friday evening.
An Adelaide stakes winner in her own right, Listen Here is best known as the dam of outstanding racehorses and exciting young stallions Shooting to Win and Deep Field.
When auctioneer Grant Burns hammered the gavel, it was NZ based bloodstock agents Michael Wallace and Bruce Perry who held the bid on the Elusive Quality mare who was presented in foal to Medaglia d’Oro. The price-tag beat the previous Gold Coast record of $3 million held by Princess Coup.
“She offered the whole package,” Michael Wallace said of Listen Here. “We’ve never seen a mare like this come to the market. Her first two foals were sold to stud for massive money off the track – both highly talented and good looking.”
“She’s still a young mare and it was a unique opportunity. The beauty with her breeding is that we can go anywhere. We’re lucky in that regard and that was half the attraction.”
Listen Here was owned by the late Bob Oatley and was offered on behalf of his family by Edinglassie Stud’s Mick Talty. “It was way over what we thought,” Talty said. “She’s such a beautiful mare so hopefully she will be good for the new owners.”
The third and final day of the select component to the National Broodmare Sale helped push the overall sale gross to over $74.67 million – up well over $12 million on last year’s great auction. The clearance rate grew 3 points to 82% and the average price leapt 14% to $134,309.
“The fireworks late in the session with Listen Here’s was incredible,” Magic Millions managing director Vin Cox said. “It was a fitting result for a life time of commitment to the thoroughbred industry for Mr Oatley.
“We’ve obliterated all the records. We dream of this sort of result. It was only four years ago this sale was grossing $20 million. It’s very satisfying and really sets up us well for the future.”
DAY 3 TOP SELLERS
$3,400,000 – Listen Here
Vendor: Edinglassie Stud / Buyer: China Horse Club/Bruce Perry B’stock
$775,000 – Cafe Scientific
Newgate Farm / Dermot Farrington B’stock
$675,000 – La Amistad
Makybe / Josh Hutchins B’stock
$500,000 – She’s a Fox (Lot 1360)
Luskin Park / James Harron B’stock
$470,000 – Star of Sydney (Lot 1363)
Newgate Farm / Makybe Racing & Breeding