REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Saturday January 15, 2011

THE 2011 edition of the Magic Millions finally had a seven-figure horse, even if he was not quite complete.

It took until after 5pm the previous day, but a Redoute’s Choice colt was knocked down to champion Victoria trainer Peter Moody for $1.15m after he outlasted Gai Waterhouse in a spirited betting duel.

Reports suggested the colt was a rig, meaning he has one testicle, but it was not expected to hamper his ability to have a stud career. Bidding started at $500,000 and increased nine times before the hammer finally fell, much to the delight of MM bosses, who feared the sale would be without a million-dollar horse.

Moody, who had the two highest-priced yearlings after he purchased another Redoute’s Choice for $850,000 on the opening day, admitted it stretched the budget. ‘‘We probably paid overs for him. He stretched the budget a bit but we probably paid unders for the other colt,’’ he said.

Moody said the ownership of the horse had yet to be decided but it would likely be a syndicate of stable clients.

It continued Moody’s surge into the big league.

Magic Millions managing director Stephen Silk admitted it was a relief.

‘‘Obviously it’s very exciting to secure a million-dollar sale,’’ he said. ‘‘Given what has happened in recent days it was very uplifting, but the situation around the state certainly puts it into perspective.’’

Roman Emperor Servius Sulpicius Galba, who succeeded Nero in 68AD, is assassinated by the Praetorian guard in the Roman Forum.