THOROUGHBRED breeders sense confidence afoot after buyers splurged on yearlings at the annual Magic Millions auctions on the Gold Coast.
Over the seven days of trading from January 12-18 inclusive, more than $212 million changed hands, easily eclipsing the previous best of $187.5mil taken in 2020 to emerge as highest grossing yearling sale in southern hemisphere history.
The overall result prompted MM managing director Barry Bowditch to declare it "a very special moment" as the average for all sales was confirmed at $206,169 with a median of $150,000 and a clearance of 87 percent.
"From the first lot on Tuesday until the final lot it's been truly remarkable," he said.
"The thirst for quality was intense. We worked hard in getting the best possible buying bench to the sale and to be involved remotely and they have responded in spirited style.
"The vendors brought their best and the buyers recognised this clearly. A lot of hurdles were placed before us in the weeks leading into the sale and the whole Magic Millions team had to be incredibly dynamic.
"It has been a remarkable week in the history of Australian thoroughbred sales and we are proud to have played our role in delivering for buyers and vendors."
The highest price was $1.9mil paid by Tom Magnier, Coolmore Stud, for Widden Stud's colt by Snitzel from the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes winner Bonny O'Reilly. The colt's family tree is littered with quality runners including Salinger Stakes heroine Glamour Puss and Steps In Time, winner of a Coolmore Classic.
The leading buyer based on total spend from Book 1 was the Tony Fung Investments - Phoenix Thoroughbreds partnership which signed for 19 yearlings at a cost of $11,6345,000.
Book 1's leading sires with at least three yearlings were Not A Single Doubt (17 to av $597,647), I Am Invincible (44, av $544,545) and Almanzor (3, av $506,677). As well Emirates led the vendor table based on averages and with at least three yearlings under the hammer. It sold six to average $596,667.
Besides yearlings, the sale included the auction of several racehorses with Heinrich Bloodstock, Gold Coast, buying the most expensive offering when bought four-times winner Hilo (Lonhro-Kona) from Godolphin for $220,000.
Heinrich also paid $150,000 for Deference (Exceed And Excel) and $100,000 for Chilliwack (Exceed And Excel-Raspberries) from the same vendor.
Alan Welburn
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
