Champion Sunlight smashes MM records on Gold Coast

The previous MM auction record was $3.4 million paid for proven Group 1 producing broodmare Listen Here in 2016 while the previous record for a mare sold off the track was $3 million paid for Princess Coup in 2009. Equal top price for MM yearlings is $2.2 million for two colts by Redoute's Choice paid by Nathan Tinkler's Patinack Farms in 2008.

Sunlight is a 'pin-up' girl for Magic Millions. With her dam Solar Charged originally being sold for $650,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions broodmare sale, Sunlight was sold for $300,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions yearling sale before progressing to win three Group 1 races plus the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and total earnings of more $6 million.

Queensland also shares in the multi-million success as Telemon Thoroughbreds principal Dan Fletcher is listed as a co-breeder while his wife Rae and daughters Jordan and Shannon are co-owners in the all-women syndicate who raced Sunlight.

Coolmore Stud's Tom Magnier snapped up Sunlight among three seven-figure purchases for his Hunter Valley operation. "We are very lucky to have got her. She is a lovely looking mare and she was unbelievable on the racetrack. Not only did she beat her own age, she beat the boys," he said.

"She is a filly of a generation and we are very lucky to have got her. There were a lot of people around the world who had their eyes on her, so to take her back to Coolmore in the Hunter Valley is exciting and she will visit Justify. We are committed to Justify - he is the horse of a generation as well. He won the Triple Crown in America and retired unbeaten," he said.

Bidding began at $1 million and quickly went over $2 million before breaking through brood mare Listen Here's all-time Magic Millions record of $3.4 million set in 2016. It was then she soared above the $3.85 million southern hemisphere record for a race filly or mare sold at public auction. Coolmore already holds the Australasian broodmare record of $5 million paid for Milnova in Sydney in 2008

Sunlight's purchase capped a remarkable ride for her connections who celebrated the record breaking purchase with tears and cheers. The Zoustar mare was offered at the auction by Widden Stud, who acted as agent for her ownership group - a number of who were at the complex to shed tears and celebrate a wonderful race career. Sunlight was led through the ring by her long-time strapper and track rider Sarah Rutten, who flew up from South Australia to play her part in the historic moment.

TWO other high-class mares heading to Coolmore are Champagne Cuddles and Invincibella sold for $2 million and $1.3 million respectively.

By Not A Single Doubt from the Snippets mare Sky Cuddle, Champagne Cuddles was four times Group 1 placed as well as winning Group races in Sydney and Group 3 winner at the Gold Coast, and was offered for auction by her breeder Stuart Ramsey, Turangga Farm, Scone, NSW.

Group 1 Tatt's Tiara winner and triple Magic Millions record breaking mare Invincibella was presented by Glenesk Thoroughbreds on behalf of Star Thoroughbreds. An initial $185,000 yearling purchase by Star Thoroughbreds, Invincibella amassed $3 million in earnings under the care of Sydney trainer Chris Waller.

OUTSTANDING filly Unforgotten has set a record becoming the most expensive lot sold in Australia to an on-line bidder when sold for $2.75 million.

By Fastnet Rock from the Galileo mare Memories Of You (Ire) - a half-sister to French One Thousand Guineas winner Matiara - Unforgotten won six races including the Group 1 Australian Oaks. Prepared during her career by Chris Waller, the mare was bought by Victorian-based Yulong Thoroughbreds when offered through the Blue Sky Premium Consignment draft.

Yulong's Luke Wilkinson said Unforgotten was highly rated. "Yulong principal Mr Yuesheng Zhang was bidding online so we didn't know until the phone rang afterwards from his son-in-law that we'd secured her," he said. Wilkinson said although no stallion has been locked in as yet, he had approached Yarraman Park Stud to express interest in her visiting I Am Invincible this spring.

A LIVE auction contributed to buyers paying more than $24 million for 117 lots to average $206,714 on Day 1 of the Magic Million National Broodmare sale featuring off the track and maiden fillies and mares while the clearance rate was an impressive 84 per cent.

"It's been a really great day of selling. There was a real thirst for quality and it was great to have so many people involved both from those at the complex and those bidding online," Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said.

"It was fantastic to be holding a live sale again and those in attendance really played their part. Sunlight was an obvious highlight and it was fantastic to break so many records with her sale. We thank Tony and Calvin McEvoy, Widden Stud and all of her connections for giving us the opportunity to offer her for sale.

"The international market got involved with Sunlight and showed the respect she deserved. I was bidding on the phone for the eventual underbidder from America. Sunlight has always been a wonderful ambassador for Magic Millions. As a 2YO she won the 2YO Classic and captured the Racing Women's Bonus. It has been an amazing ride for all those connected with her," he said.

TWO previous NSW trainers called 'enough' on veteran gelding Loud Enough after mixed form results but Mt Isa owner/trainer Steven Royes has mined a fresh vein of form worth $73,250 in earnings with six wins and nine placings from 22 starts since he arrived in north-west Queensland in October 2018.

The rising 8YO gelding has now won 12 races - the latest coming at Cloncurry last Sunday. In fact, during his current campaign which began with a first-up fourth at Mt Isa on April 25, Loud Enough followed up with three wins and two placings from his next five starts. All up, Loud Enough has now started 66 times for 12 wins and 28 placings across central and northern NSW and north-west Queensland.

By Victoria Derby winner Benicio from the winning Fuji Kiseki (Jap) mare Fuji Cee Rocks, Loud Enough began his racing career with Sydney trainer Paul Cave who managed two wins with him at Bathurst and Wyong plus nine placings from 22 starts before he was on-sold to Walcha trainer George Woodward. Under his tutelage, Loud Enough became a 'cups horse' on the lucrative northern NSW circuit winning the Inverell Cup plus placings in the Armidale, Walcha and Guyra Cups for total earnings of $82,700.

Moving to north-west Queensland, Loud Enough can still be considered a 'cups horse' with wins in the McKinlay and Gregory Downs Cups, placings in the Cloncurry and Tennent Creek Cups and starts in the Birdsville (fifth) and Townsville Cups.

A PICKET fence of four successive wins as a late 3YO by talented gelding Tullio has completed a marvellous comeback from a career threatening injury.

A dominant 3.75 lengths winner at Doomben on Saturday, Tullio is by prolific sire More Than Ready (USA) whose progeny have now earned more than $194 million while his dam Military Rose - a daughter of Queensland-bred Group 1 winner General Nediym - won six races including the Group 2 Reisling Stakes for 2YO fillies at Rosehill and the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

It was feared Tullio would be unable to race again after he needed knee surgery to remove a bone chip after finishing second at Eagle Farm in December 2018. After the procedure Tullio was eased back to the track by Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan with a program of swimming and walking. Tullio resumed successfully at the Gold Coast in early June and has subsequently racked up three more wins culminating with the Kirin Handicap (1050m) at Doomben.

WHEN Telemon Thoroughbreds, Innisplain, decided to stand one-time Magic Millions 2YO Classic favourite Sun City on debut this year, his 2YO half-sister Parlophone (I Am Invincible) had shown promise at her second start in January running second at Flemington to subsequent Group 1 Blue Diamond runner-up Personal.

Since then Parlophone has had two starts for two wins - the latest culminating in a three-length blitz in the Listed Lightning Stakes at Morphettville, Adelaide, last Saturday.

That prompted bookmakers to slash her odds for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield in October from $51 to $15. By Golden Slipper winner Flying Spur, Roulettes - the dam of Sun City and Parlophone - is a Listed winner and half-sister to Group1-placed Group winner Royal Discretion. She is now a proven producer with her four named foals all winners, including Sun City and Parlophone's multiple Group-placed brother Spin who raced as Star of Jupiter in Singapore.

Considered a genuine Group 1 talent by trainer Tony McEvoy, $525,000 yearling Sun City (Zoustar) won the Group 3 McLachlan Stakes for 2YOs at Doomben before injury curtailed his career and will stand his first season at $7700.

TOOWOOMBA trainer Rex Lipp took the lead for QTIS 2YO trainers in June winning $44,450 in bonus prize money with Bad Barista (Spill The Beans), Real Fine Wine (Real Saga) and Red Wabbat (Golden Archer) followed by Stuart Kendrick (Sunshine Coast) with $36,750 and Les Ross (Brisbane) on $34,000.

That's solidified Ross' hold on the 2YO trainers seasonal table with $224,450 while Tony and Maddysen Sears (Toowoomba) remain in second position on $191,750 and Robert Heathcote (Brisbane) has $163,100 in bonus prize money for the season to round out the top three.

Tony Gollan (Brisbane) had the best month for the 3YO QTIS trainers with $49,500 in incentives while Robert Heathcote earned $34,800 and John Manzelmann (Mackay) collected $16,200 for third.

The results have seen Gollan jump into the lead for the seasonal table on $300,850 just $5000 ahead of Heathcote while Toby and Trent Edmonds (Gold Coast) are in third but still in the running to take out the title with $187,600.

Queen Sweeper (Rich Enuff) was the top 2YO QTIS runner in June, banking $36,750 in bonus prize money with Aspen Lad (Bagger Vance) earning $25,500 and Dragon Miss (Hidden Dragon) and Red Wabbat (Golden Archer) equal third with $16,200 each.

It hasn't changed the standings for the season heading into the last month, with Spirit One (Spirit Of Boom) on $94,500 still $10,000 ahead of Lady Banff (Top Echelon) and Rothfire (Rothesay) has $73,500 for third spot.

There's also been no change to the seasonal table for the 3YO QTIS runners with Baroda (Epaulette) on $106,050 just a nose in front of Guntantes (Rothesay) on $105,000 and Better Reflection (Better Than Ready) earning $94,500 for the season to remain in third position.

The best QTIS 3YOs for June were Say Haya (Rothesay) banking $36,750 for connections. Stuttering (Love Conquers All) had $33,000 and River Rocket (Hidden Dragon) collected $15,500.