MAGNUS’ MAGIC START

Magnus (below) is used to making a splash. The pre-eminent sprinting entire of his day, Magnus competed at the highest level throughout his career, notching up victories in the Galaxy and Age Classic (now Group One) and competing with distinction in Australia, the UK and Singapore.
Not surprisingly, when the bred-in-the-purple son of Flying Spur was retired to stud in 2008 he attracted a quality book of mares: the results of which first went on display at the Great Southern Weanling Sale at Oaklands Junction and again at the Gold Coast Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
Nine of his weanlings were offered at the Great Southern and, selling up to $55,000, Magnus came away with the leading average for a first season sire.
Leading the way was the filly from Rory’s Jester mare Tendency, a half sister to Bel Esprit winner Belle Society, who was knocked down to Bulla Thoroughbreds for $55,000, while in the first hour of the sale, Belmont Bloodstock Agency snapped up another lovely Magnus filly – this one a half sister to Adelaide Cup winner Lacey Underall from the Bluebird mare, Flirted – for $42,500.
On the Coast, leading agent Paul Beamish picked up two Magnus colts: the first a half brother to two winners from a daughter of 5-time stakes winner Reno Belle ($40,000), while the classy chestnut out of the imported mare Miss Rangoon fetched $67,500.