At a Glance
>> Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale set new benchmarks for aggregate, average and median
>> The Book 1 average rose to $250,221, up from $237,309 last year
>> The median rose from $170,000 to $180,000
>> The aggregate soared from $170.8 million to $177.4m million
>> The clearance rate was slightly down from 89.33 percent to 87.42 per cent
>> There were no million-dollar lots on the final day, with Lot 877, a colt by Redoute's Choice offered by Arrowfield, secured by Aquis for $900,000
>> I Am Invincible claimed overall sires' honours
Bowditch hails an amazing week
Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch could not be more delighted with how Book 1 of the iconic sale has evolved, as the average surged beyond $250,000 for the first time and total sales exceeded $177.4 million.
"It was an amazing sale really. I've mentioned depth a lot this week, but the depth, diversity and strength at all levels of the market, the middle market especially, to retain an almost 88 per cent clearance, it’s just a fantastic result," he said.
Barry Bowditch
"For the first time ever to have a quarter of a million average at this sale, given the sale has 888 lots in it, it's an awesome result.
"Obviously there's a lot of faith in the horses we have here in the complex. Vendors have supported us with as strong a catalogue as we have ever had and they have been very well rewarded for doing so."
Redoute's colt tops final session
Aquis secured the highest-price lot on the final night, winning a spirited duel to get its hands on Lot 877, a colt by Redoute's Choice, offered by Arrowfield Stud.
“We thought he was one of the picks of the sale obviously and he's by an elite sire who is also a sire of sires and there’s not too many more opportunities to purchase a colt with his credentials," Aquis Managing Director Shane McGrath said.
“He is out of a Charge Forward mare who is out of a Last Tycoon mare, so he has got a huge family with a stallion’s pedigree."
The colt's dam, Traceability (Charge Forward) is an unraced three-quarter sister to Listed winner Assail (Charge Forward) and half-sister to Group 1 winning pair Master Of Design (Redoute's Choice) and Suntagonal (Octagonal {NZ}).
She has already produced a stakes winner in this colt's three-quarter brother Traces (Snitzel) and a Group 3 placegetter in Spring Loaded (Redoute's Choice). Her now 2-year-old full brother to this colt, Contingency Plan, fetched $1.3 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last year.
The second dam Urge To Merge (Last Tycoon {Ire}) is a sister to the influential broodmare Tracy's Element, a family that also includes Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom {USA}) and Group 1 winner Danasinga (Danehill {USA}).
Lot 877 - Redoute's Choice x Traceability (colt)
Vinnie rounds off a huge week
I Am Invincible completed his week with the second highest lot of the night session, Lot 840 which was offered by Yarraman Stud and went to Mulcaster Bloodstock/Harras Syndicate for $825,000.
“The mare has been very good to us,” Yarraman Park director Arthur Mitchell said. “She’s been remarkable. She’s got a filly by I Am Invincible on the ground. She just constantly delivers - this colt was very nice, so he was deserving of that pricetag."
Lot 840 - I Am Invincible x Tai Tai Tess (colt)
The dam Tai Tai Tess (Magic Albert) has proven a remarkable producer for her breeders, with her now 3-year-old colt called Faretti (I Am Invincible), topping the 2018 Magic Millions Sale when he sold for $2 million. He has had four starts for one win to date.
Mulcaster and Chris Waller purchased the full brother, now named Volterra, for $1.3 million 12 months ago. He has had one start for a second back in November.
Tai Tai Tess was a winner of the Listed Morphettville Guineas and one of five winners from Tycoon Tess (Last Tycoon {Ire}), the half-sister to the dam of Group 2 winner Drumbeats (Redoute's Choice) as well as Group 2 winner Delta Form (Marscay). The third dam is the influential mare Arborea (Imperial Prince {Ire}), a multiple Group 1 winner.
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
It ended a huge week for the stallion and for Yarraman Park. I Am invincible led all stallions on average, (more than 3 sold) with 42 sold at an average of $482,042, and aggregate, with a gross of $20,245 million.
But while I Am Invincible led the sale for a second year, Bowditch felt the spread of good results for so many top stallions was a hallmark of the week.
"From a sire perspective, I don’t think there was one dominant horse out there. It was a very even group. I think most of the big stud men would walk away thinking their stallions have had a great sale," Bowditch said.
"From a sire perspective, I don’t think there was one dominant horse out there. It was a very even group." - Barry Bowditch
Yarraman Park finished second overall on vendor averages with $491,429, only behind Cressfield ($520,000), while it was shaded only by Arrowfield ($15.955 million to $13.76 million) in aggregate.
“We had a 100 per cent clearance and I couldn’t be happier - it’s been a brilliant sale.” Mitchell said.
Pharoah fever continues on final night
The progeny of American Pharoah (USA) were in demand all week and it wasn't any different on the final session of Book 1, with Spendthrift Australia securing its second yearling by the Triple Crown winner for the week, paying $675,000 for Lot 882, which was offered by Attunga Stud.
Spendthrift Australia General Manager Garry Cuddy was made to wait until the seventh-last lot but was rapt to have got what he wanted.
Lot 882 - American Pharoah (USA) x Tsaritsa (colt)
"We are very happy. American Pharoah is obviously a horse that has come here with a big level of excitement on. We're leaving with two, a colt and a filly, obviously we like them. It's exciting to sit here and wait for this guy and take him home. That's the best result," Cuddy said.
The colt is the first foal from the Group 2 winner Tsaritsa (Dane Shadow), the half-sister to another Group 2 winner in Ninth Legion (Fastnet Rock).
"His mum was some racehorse," Cuddy said. "Obviously, it's a family that is littered with black type. If he can live up to that, we've got a horse that is an option for both hemispheres, which is obviously the aim."
It was the end of a very good week for Attunga Stud, who sold nine yearlings for an average of $335,000 and Brian Nutt was very pleased with what the colt was able to achieve.
Brian and Gabby Nutt
"He was very busy all week and there were plenty of hits on his x-rays - I wasn’t expecting that sort of money, but we’re always hopeful," he said. "His reserve was well underneath that. I thought Spendthrift were interested, because they came back so many times to look at him. I think the Hawkes’ were interested too - but they are going to get the horse to train I believe."
Victorian trainer Matt Laurie partnered with Anthony Pannozzo to secure another American Pharoah (USA) colt for $575,000.
Lot 808 was offered by Coolmore and is closely related to recent stakes-winner Deep Image (Testa Rossa). The dam, Starfish (Redoute's Choice), was stakes-placed as a 2-year-old and has already produced two stakes performers in Wolf Cry (Street Cry {Ire}) and Glenbawn Dame (Shamardal {USA}). The second dam is the Group 1 winner Stella Cadente (Centaine).
Lot 808 - American Pharoah (USA) x Starfish (colt)
Those results ensured the Coolmore stallion finished well clear on top of the first season in terms of averages, with 20 sold in all for an average of $350,000, good enough to have him finish fourth overall in sire averages.
Capitalist had 33 sell in all for the week to be the leading first-season sire on aggregate with $7.85 million, at an average of $237,879.
That included a colt, Lot 797, early in the final session which China Horse Club/Newgate/Starlight Racing purchased from the draft of Ashleigh Thoroughbreds for $550,000.
Maher cashes in on Magic success
Fresh from winning a Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a Snitzel with Away Game, Ciaron Maher went out and picked out Lot 804, a colt by the three-time Australian Champion who is the first foal of the unraced High Chaparral (Ire) mare Squandered.
The colt was offered by Baramul Stud and took Ciaron Maher's haul for the week under his own name to 15, with another seven purchased in partnership.
David Eustace and Ciaron Maher
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott ended up the leading buyers for the second year running, buying 25 yearling at an average of $264,200, while Hawkes Racing purchased 17.
Arthur Mitchell, who has seen more Magic Millions Sales than most, led the praise for the success of the sale.
"This sale has been outstanding across the board - it’s been a great sale. There were four or five big buyers missing, but it’s amazing how quickly the cracks fill. Coolmore stepped up a bit and so did Hawkes, as well as Marie Yoshida," he said.
"Magics got everyone that they could have got, I don’t think anyone could whinge. If you had a nice horse it sold well - there shouldn’t be many complaints from vendors."
"If you had a nice horse it sold well - there shouldn’t be many complaints from vendors." - Arthur Mitchell
The other highlight of the week for Bowditch, was the $1.1 million raised for bushfire relief.
"The industry digs deep in times of need and it’s humbling to see the amount of money that has been raised this week. It’s been a big week for Magic Millions and that's one of the most pleasing parts of it," he said.
Bowditch said none of the success of the week could be possible without his team at Magic Millions.
Book 2 begins at 11am AEST on Sunday with 176 yearlings catalogued for sale.
Top lots
| 385 | Deep Impact (Jpn) | Honesty Prevails | Colt | $1,900,000.00 | Galletta Construction Co Pty Ltd | Arrowfield Stud |
| 640 | Exceed And Excel | Platelet | Colt | $1,800,000.00 | Hawkes Racing | Cressfield |
| 434 | Written Tycoon | Karuta Queen | Filly | $1,500,000.00 | Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) | Strawberry Hill Stud |
| 364 | Hinchinbrook | Harlem Heat | Colt | $1,150,000.00 | James Bester/Tom Magnier | Yarraman Park Stud |
| 354 | Redoute’s Choice | Gresset | Colt | $1,100,000.00 | An Zhiqiang | Bhima Thoroughbreds |
| 255 | Exceed And Excel | Dream In Colour (GB) | Colt | $1,100,000.00 | Tom Magnier | Milburn Creek |
| 69 | I Am Invincible | Adrift (NZ) | Colt | $1,050,000.00 | Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock | Segenhoe Stud |
| 80 | I Am Invincible | Amanpour | Colt | $1,000,000.00 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing | Rosemont Stud |
| 749 | I Am Invincible | Set To Unleash | Filly | $1,000,000.00 | Asian Bloodstock Services Ltd | Yarraman Park Stud |
| 784 | Exceed And Excel | Smokin’ Alice (USA) | Colt | $1,000,000.00 | Gerald Ryan/David Raphael | Edinburgh Park |
Top buyers by aggregate
| Hawkes Racing | 17 | $7,465,000 | $439,118 | $80,000 | $1,800,000 |
| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing | 25 | $6,605,000 | $264,200 | $65,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aquis Farm | 11 | $5,815,000 | $528,636 | $115,000 | $975,000 |
| James Harron Bloodstock | 10 | $4,770,000 | $477,000 | $260,000 | $750,000 |
| Tom Magnier | 7 | $4,305,000 | $615,000 | $260,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock | 7 | $4,115,000 | $587,857 | $170,000 | $1,050,000 |
| John Sadler Racing | 10 | $3,915,000 | $391,500 | $200,000 | $650,000 |
| Ciaron Maher Racing | 15 | $3,720,000 | $248,000 | $80,000 | $600,000 |
| Spendthrift Australia Pty Ltd | 8 | $3,660,000 | $457,500 | $140,000 | $900,000 |
| Belmont Bloodstock P/L (FBAA)/McEvoy Mitchell Raci | 13 | $3,190,000 | $245,385 | $40,000 | $400,000 |
Top vendors - by average (3 or more)
| Cressfield | 8 | $520,000 | $130,000 | $1,800,000 | $4,160,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud | 28 | $491,429 | $110,000 | $1,150,000 | $13,760,000 |
| Strawberry Hill Stud | 7 | $418,571 | $100,000 | $1,500,000 | $2,930,000 |
| Milburn Creek | 9 | $375,556 | $125,000 | $1,100,000 | $3,380,000 |
| Segenhoe Stud | 21 | $372,143 | $70,000 | $1,050,000 | $7,815,000 |
| Yulong | 8 | $341,250 | $170,000 | $650,000 | $2,730,000 |
| Attunga Stud | 9 | $335,000 | $60,000 | $800,000 | $3,015,000 |
| Kia Ora Stud | 3 | $323,333 | $50,000 | $560,000 | $970,000 |
| Lime Country Thoroughbreds | 15 | $322,000 | $60,000 | $900,000 | $4,830,000 |
| Bhima Thoroughbreds | 22 | $317,500 | $50,000 | $1,100,000 | $6,985,000 |
Top vendors - by aggregate
| Arrowfield Stud | 54 | $15,955,000 | $295,463 | $75,000 | $1,900,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud | 28 | $13,760,000 | $491,429 | $110,000 | $1,150,000 |
| Coolmore Stud | 44 | $9,890,000 | $224,773 | $15,000 | $750,000 |
| Newgate Farm | 46 | $9,665,000 | $210,109 | $10,000 | $750,000 |
| Widden Stud | 32 | $9,200,000 | $287,500 | $100,000 | $750,000 |
| Segenhoe Stud | 21 | $7,815,000 | $372,143 | $70,000 | $1,050,000 |
| Bhima Thoroughbreds | 22 | $6,985,000 | $317,500 | $50,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Baramul Stud | 27 | $6,735,000 | $249,444 | $55,000 | $600,000 |
| Newhaven Park | 21 | $5,940,000 | $282,857 | $70,000 | $900,000 |
| Lime Country Thoroughbreds | 15 | $4,830,000 | $322,000 | $60,000 | $900,000 |
Top sires by average (3 or more sold)
| I Am Invincible | 42 | $482,024 | $110,000 | $1,050,000 | $20,245,000 |
| Redoute's Choice | 7 | $451,429 | $150,000 | $1,100,000 | $3,160,000 |
| Exceed And Excel | 24 | $398,542 | $40,000 | $1,800,000 | $9,565,000 |
| American Pharoah (USA) | 20 | $350,000 | $100,000 | $850,000 | $7,000,000 |
| Not A Single Doubt | 32 | $344,531 | $80,000 | $650,000 | $11,025,000 |
| Snitzel | 42 | $312,381 | $40,000 | $800,000 | $13,120,000 |
| Frosted (USA) | 3 | $303,333 | $110,000 | $650,000 | $910,000 |
| Fastnet Rock | 26 | $297,115 | $70,000 | $600,000 | $7,725,000 |
| So You Think (NZ) | 11 | $275,909 | $160,000 | $375,000 | $3,035,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 23 | $275,870 | $70,000 | $1,500,000 | $6,345,000 |
Top sires by aggregate
| I Am Invincible | 42 | $20,245,000 | $482,024 | $110,000 | $1,050,000 |
| Snitzel | 42 | $13,120,000 | $312,381 | $40,000 | $800,000 |
| Not A Single Doubt | 32 | $11,025,000 | $344,531 | $80,000 | $650,000 |
| Exceed And Excel | 24 | $9,565,000 | $398,542 | $40,000 | $1,800,000 |
| Sebring | 38 | $9,220,000 | $242,632 | $70,000 | $825,000 |
| Capitalist | 33 | $7,850,000 | $237,879 | $50,000 | $750,000 |
| Fastnet Rock | 26 | $7,725,000 | $297,115 | $70,000 | $600,000 |
| Zoustar | 27 | $7,350,000 | $272,222 | $55,000 | $900,000 |
| American Pharoah (USA) | 20 | $7,000,000 | $350,000 | $100,000 | $850,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 23 | $6,345,000 | $275,870 | $70,000 | $1,500,000 |
