Gai leads the charge for Perth yearling sale
Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Gai Waterhouse will headline a who's who of interstate and overseas trainers to descend on the Perth Magic Millions yearling sale.
Waterhouse and former business partner Denise Martin, of Star Syndications, paid $180,000 for a Fastnet Rock-Munchie colt after being the underbidder on a $230,000 More Than Ready filly at their first visit to Perth's premier sale in 2010.
Star Thoroughbreds, formed by Martin and Waterhouse 20 years ago, announced two weeks ago that Waterhouse's arch rival Chris Waller would get all of its yearling purchases this year.
Waterhouse paid the top price of $1 million for a Redoute's Choice-Hades colt at the MM Gold Coast sale recently.
With young consultant James Harron as her leading adviser, Waterhouse bought 39 lots for $8.16 million, plus 15 yearlings purchased at just over $2 million under her new syndication group Round Table Racing.
Darley's trainer Peter Snowden, MM Classic-winning trainer Bjorn Baker and New Zealand's John Sargent are among other leading stables expected to attend the two days of the sale on February 18 and 19 at Belmont Park racecourse.
The decision by MM's WA manager David Houston to target Singapore trainers last weekend has reaped rewards, with leading trainers Shane Baertschiger, Steven Burridge, Michael Clements and Theo Kieser vowing to attend.
"We are also expecting the South African trainers to be back buying at the sale," Houston said.
"MM is planning a big build-up to the sale and the list of people to come from interstate and overseas is extensive."
