Newgate Farm’s Deep Field and Dissident are making play as the top two leading first season sires after the first two sessions of the 2018 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Deep Field has had 21 yearlings average $244,048, while Dissident has had 20 average $211,750.
Northern Meteor’s record breaking son Deep Field has also had a slight edge over Dissident in terms of single best result for a first season sire with his colt from Reggae making $675,000 for Kia Ora Stud on Wednesday when secured by Justin Bahen for Orbis Bloodstock.
A half-brother to Group II placed Unique Quality, he is from a full sister to Group I winner Spartacus and Hong Kong Derby winner Johann Cruyff while other family members include Group I winners Laganore and Blazing Speed.
“He was our favourite colt without a shadow of a doubt. Every time he came out of his box he hadn’t turned a hair and had the same amount of energy as when we last looked at him,” Justin Bahen told ANZ Bloodstock News.
“You want to see a horse start the prep at the sales and still be the same at the end, so we loved him.”
Australian Horse of the Year Dissident achieved his best result with a stunning colt from Prompt that made $525,000 for Newgate Farm when knocked down to George Moore Bloodstock.
A half-brother to Group winners Prompt Response and Prompt Return, he is the fifth foal of a terrific producer, whose previous four foals are all winners.
“He is a good type and he fits the bill with the criteria of what we expect when we come to this sale and everything out of the mare has done the job. George loved him as much as I did,” John Moore told ANZ Bloodstock News.
“He is off to Hong Kong and will be sold to a syndicate who is headed up by the vice-president of CLSA in Hong Kong. We are delighted as that is their first purchase and the first horse to come into my stable (from them).”
Australian Guineas winner Wandjina is also right up there in the mix with 11 yearlings averaging $153,182.
His top sale so far has been $250,000 paid by Anthony Cummings for a filly from Maslins Beach consigned by Glastonbury Farm.