John Singleton's racing manager Duncan Grimley

Insurance specialist Bob Logan with stud proprietor Heather Brown-Pascoe from Plaintree Farm.

John O'Shea sporting an Iskander cap. Iskander spent a staggering amount of money both before and during the sale hyping both their stallion Honours List and also their company's services. The top priced Honours List colt at the sale brought $200k and was purchased by Iskander himself ... a good way of qualifying a horse for the million dollar bonus the company is offering if one of the stallion's progeny wins next year's MM race; an equally expensive way of producing the material for future ads that can now state that "yearlings sold up to $200K". Now who said marketing was an inexpensive investment?!

Steve Morley, stud manager at Glenlogan Park whose dream of capturing the MM 2yo race with the colt he bred - Pulsator - was not to be. Steve nevertheless said on the Friday afternoon before the race that "whatever the outcome I've enjoyed every minute of the ride." Steve sold a full brother to Pulsator to Gai Waterhouse for $190,000. Glenlogan enjoyed an exceptional sale - the second crop Show a Heart's selling strongly, freshman sires Falvelon averaging $100,227 for 11 sold and King of Danes $105,625 for 4 sold.

Jeff Kruger and daughter, Celeste. Lyndhurst stallion Sequalo enjoyed some additional PR when lot 893 - a chestnut filly filly from Ohau Leica - was knocked down to local trainer Alan Bailey for $210,000 after a prolonged bidding battle with Ron Maund, bidding on behalf of Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm. Bailey, who trains the filly's half-brother Willy Leica, reportedly had instructions from his owner to buy her at any cost. For vendor, Terry Catip from Misty Downs Stud near Warwick, it was his best ever sales result by far. "I reckon they should probably call her 'genuine bid'" Jeff commented later.

Clarry Connors (trainer of Mirror Mirror who won the Saturday's $1,003,850 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast) was an active buyer.

Peter Orton from Vinery Stud.

Derek Field (back to the camera) and Graeme Rogerson. Rogerson was leading buyer in sessions 1-4 of the sale, spending $5,492,500 for 26 lots. His top priced lot was the record $1,550,000 for a colt by Red Ransom from the Group One winning mare Savannah Success and is a half brother to former Rogerson trained Cox Plate winner (as a three-year-old) Savabeel.

Renowned pedigree expert Les Young seeks some peace and quiet away from the madding crowd.

Athlone editor and owner/breeder John Baxter