Lot 358 from Arrowfield Stud started the red hot run when knocked down to James Harron Bloodstock for $1.5 million making him the most expensive yearling at this sale for his legendary sire.
A half-brother to a winner in South Africa and a three-quarter brother in-blood to Group II winner Sister Madly, he is the third foal of Silla Regalis, a half-sister by Encosta de Lago to world champion sprinter Silent Witness.
Lot 370 kept the sale ring popping when fetching $1.4 million for Gilgai Farm when purchased by Hawkes Racing.
The I Am Invincible colt is a half-brother to Group I VRC Newmarket Handicap winner The Quarterback and Group II winner Philippi. His full brother made the same money, $1.4 million at Inglis Premier last year, but is yet to race.
Lot 399 proved the perfect lead up to the expected sale-topper in Lot 400, when he attracted the attention of all the big players before being snaffled by Shadwell Australia for $1.4 million.
Bred and sold by Yarraman Park, the Snitzel colt is the first foal of stakes-placed I Am Invincible mare Tetsuko, who was also bred by Yarraman.
Tetsuko was the first horse to put I Am Invincible on the map when she won impressively at the early season two year-old trials and then was beaten a long head in the Listed ATC Gimcrack Stakes, so it's fitting to see her produce such an expensive yearling in her first season at stud.
Lot 400 from Arrowfield Stud has long been hyped as the colt of the sale both on pedigree and type with Anthony Freedman securing the Fastnet Rock colt from The Broken Shore for $2.3 million.
Bred by Arrowfield and partners, who retained his older sister Shoals to race, the star colt is the third foal of The Broken Shore, a Hussonet (USA) sibling to Group I winners Redoute's Choice, Manhattan Rain and Platinum Scissors.
Arrowfield bought The Broken Shore from the Teeley Assets Dispersal in 2014 for $1.9 million and she has been money well spent with her first foal Shoals, a dual Group I winner of $1.3 million.
"You have to pay for a colt like this, I thought he was the colt of the year," said Anthony Freedman, who trains Shoals.
"He's very like his sister, but stronger.
"It's a lot of money but he's from the best family in the country and probably the Southern Hemisphere."
The Broken Shore has a weanling colt by Medaglia D'Oro (USA) and was covered again last spring by Fastnet Rock.
Sale ring images Steve Hart
