Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
The 2024 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale catalogued 140 lots, of which 90 have sold for a clearance of 69.77 per cent at the time of writing. In comparison, the 2023 edition of the sale saw 111 of 140 sold, achieving a clearance of 86.05 per cent.
The average price of $31,131 was marginally down from the 2023 figure of $35,041; likewise, the median was $26,000 compared to $30,000.
The 2024 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale recorded a gross of $2,739,500, significantly below 2023’s $3,854,500 gross figure. Although the 2023 top price figure of $105,000 was well eclipsed on Monday when Armidale Stud’s Lot 5, a colt by Needs Further, sold for $145,000 to Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA).
Locally based trainer John Blacker finished as the leading buyer. Blacker purchased eight lots at an average of $31,250 and a gross of $250,000. His most expensive purchase was Lot 92, a son of All Too Hard, from Motree Thoroughbreds for $82,500.
Armidale Stud’s Needs Further finished as the leading sire. Needs Further was represented by nine lots that sold for an average of $55,389 and a gross of $498,500. The son of Encosta De Lago was also responsible for the top-priced lot of the sale, Lot 5, which made $145,000.
Armidale Stud also finished as the leading vendor, selling 22 yearlings for an average of $43,364 and a gross of $954,000.
Locally based buyers also accounted for the majority of lots sold. Tasmanian-based buyers purchased 44 yearlings at an average of $26,841 and a gross of $1,181,000. Victorian-based buyers came in second, accounting for 36 lots at an average of $30,361 and a gross of $1,093,000.
Challenging market
On Monday, at Quercus Park, Magic Millions held their Tasmanian Yearling Sale. It was a quiet start with Lot 1, a colt by Alpine Eagle, passing in short of his reserve. However, almost instantly the sale picked up heat with Lot 3, a filly, offered by Armidale Stud and by their resident sire Needs Further selling for $45,000 to Gordon Richards.
Moments later, Armidale Stud presented Lot 5, a colt, also by Needs Further, that was knocked down for $145,000 to Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) eclipsing last year’s top price of $105,000.
Magic Millions Managing Director, Barry Bowditch, was frank in his assessment of Monday's proceedings, telling The Thoroughbred Report, “It was a bit tougher than what we expected, to be honest.
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“The clearance rate of under 70 per cent (at the time of speaking) is improving every minute but it was a tough sale. I think this is the part of the market that’s feeling those pressures a little bit (middle/lower end).
“There’s a majority portion of that market in a small sale like the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale. We are slightly disappointed with how the sale went but there were positives - a new record price of $145,000 for Lot 5, a colt by Needs Further, from Armidale Stud.
“There was plenty of interest in the quality horses when they walked in the ring, good, strong bidding through that $50,000 to $100,000 bracket.”
“There was plenty of interest in the quality horses when they walked in the ring, good, strong bidding through that $50,000 to $100,000 bracket.” - Barry Bowditch
Bowditch admits he would have liked to have seen more interstate participation at the 2024 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale but felt there was a possible reasoning for their absence.
“There was a little bit less interest from the interstate buyers, I felt that probably had something to do with a few more yearlings catalogued for the mainland yearling sales.
“I think the market we are playing in here in Tasmania has been easier to buy on the mainland sale this year, so I feel that there could be less of a need or craving to come to another sale and especially when there’s plenty more sales still be held this year.
A yearling being paraded at the 2024 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“Unfortunately, this year Tassie may have well missed out on a handful of buyers that have been here in the past. The local market is slightly down on last year too, they purchased a few less and spent quite a bit less.
“The sale compared to previous years has come down significantly but where this sale was six years or so ago we are well in line with that. It has come back a couple of cogs but by no means a disaster. For the right horses there was a craving but just a bit tougher at the bottom end.”
Bowditch has no doubt, despite a tougher than expected sale the 2024 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale will produce plenty of winners on the track.
“Walking around the ground I felt just physically speaking it was one of the strongest lineups of yearlings I’ve ever seen at this sale. There will be plenty of quality horses to come out of the sale and the people who didn’t make the trip or were conservative here may have missed out on buying a really nice horse.”
“Walking around the ground I felt just physically speaking it was one of the strongest lineups of yearlings I’ve ever seen at this sale. There will be plenty of quality horses to come out of the sale and the people who didn’t make the trip or were conservative here may have missed out on buying a really nice horse.” - Barry Bowditch
Armidale achieve gold
David and Rhiannon Whishaw’s Armidale Stud offered 26 yearlings on Monday with 22 lots selling at an average of $43,364 and a top price of $145,000 achieved by Lot 5. Overall, Armidale Stud’s offerings grossed $954,000.
Among some of the highlights outside of Lot 5 achieving the top price of the sale was Lot 35, a filly by Darley’s Champion galloper Ghaiyyath (Ire) from the six-time winning Faltaat (USA) mare Falika. The filly was sold to the renowned judge, John Foote of John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) for $75,000, who then paid $70,000 to secure Lot 42, a colt by Needs Further out Freedom Road (Good Journey {USA}).
Gallery: The top price of $145,000 was achieved by Armidale Stud's Lot 5, images courtesy of Magic Millions
The Victorian-based trainer Andrew Bobbin also made his presence felt, picking up Armidale Stud’s Nicconi filly (Lot 41) for $70,000.
Lot 41 is the second foal from the Krupt mare Flying Krupt, who won five races and was placed in a Listed race.
Young sires well received
Magnum Park’s freshman, Levendi, a sire son of Pierro, who won the G1 Australian Derby achieved a nice result with Lot 33.
The filly offered by Motree Thoroughbreds was purchased for $40,000 by John Keys. She is from the Metal Storm (Fr) mare Europium, a proven producer of quality gallopers.
Europium is the dam of the triple Group 1 winner Moment Of Change (Barely A Moment), a victor of the Futurity S., CF Orr S. and the Sir Rupert Clarke S. alongside placings in the G1 Newmarket H. and the G1 Lightning S.
Lot 33 - Levendi x Europium (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Levendi stands for an undisclosed fee at the Old Beach-based Tasmanian property.
Another young local stallion, whose progeny was received was Grenville Stud’s Stratosphere. The son of Snitzel stands at a fee of $7700 (inc GST) and his oldest progeny are 3-year-olds. Stratosphere has sired 15 individual winners of 20 races, from 36 runners.
His daughter, Lot 62, offered by Grenville Stud was sold to Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) for $67,500.
Lot 62 - Stratosphere x Lady Writer (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly is from the unraced Written Tycoon mare Lady Writer, whose two foals to race have both been winners.
Stratosphere also had a filly, Lot 50, knocked down for $40,000 to Gary Richards, McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA).
The filly is from the Hard Spun (USA) mare Gwemrae, a half-sister to the Listed winner First Course (Snitzel) and from the family of the stakes winners Unencumbered and Maharba (Pride Of Dubai).
Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) combined again with McEvoy Mitchell Racing to secure Lot 109, a filly by Yulong’s young sire Grunt (NZ).
Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) combined again with McEvoy Mitchell Racing to secure Lot 109 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Grunt is the sire of the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Group 2 winner Veight, and this August-born filly is from the Mastercraftman (Ire) mare Shemakhan (NZ). All three of her foals to race have been winners.
O’Neill: my pick of the sale!
Joe O’Neill of Prime Thoroughbreds was beyond pleased to secure Lot 57, a filly by Needs Further, the sire of the brilliant G1 Australian Guineas and The All-Star Mile victress Mystic Journey.
The filly is the fifth foal from the Ladoni (GB) mare Isn’t Life Strange. Among Isn’t Life Strange’s progeny is the eight-time winner Le Cadeau (Statue Of Liberty {USA}), who won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
The Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale has proven to be a happy hunting ground for O’Neill having secured the Listed Tasmanian Derby victor The Nephew (Wordsmith) in the 2020 edition of the sale for $40,000 from the draft of Armidale Stud.
Lot 57 - Needs Further x Isn't Life Strange (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Speaking to The Thoroughbred Report shortly after the purchase, O’Neill said, “I loved this filly (Lot 57), she’s from a great family.
“I’ve had a lot of luck with the sire, Needs Further. I have two of his daughters running at Launceston on Wednesday - Bine and Vivilici, who are both graduates of the Tasmanian Yearling Sale.
“I was keen to buy Lot 57 as she was my pick of the sale and I was just told Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds was the underbidder; I just really loved her.
Joe O’Neill | Image courtesy of Prime Thoroughbreds
“I think she will be 2-year-old, this filly. I bought Adam Trinder a nice horse at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for down in here (Tasmania) but this filly will go to Stuart Gandy. I am renewing my association with Stuart, when he became the exclusive trainer for the ‘Geegee’ horses I had to move them all from him and he had Husson’s Kiss at that stage, who I raced and then that led me to Rubisaki and Zizzis, who is a mother of Flattered, who raced on Sunday.
“I’m keen to have horses on the north and south of Tasmania to give my owners a chance of racing either way.
“She’s just a beautiful filly I’m very excited.”
Top buyers
| John Blacker | 8 | $31,250 | $82,500 | $250,000 |
| Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) | 2 | $106,250 | $145,000 | $212,500 |
| Jessie Bazan/Tasmanian Bloodstock | 4 | $48,125 | $67,500 | $192,500 |
| DP Kerr & RP McDonald | 6 | $28,333 | $50,000 | $170,000 |
| John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) | 2 | $72,500 | $75,000 | $145,000 |
| Gordon Richards Racing | 2 | $62,500 | $80,000 | $125,000 |
| McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) | 1 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Shane Nichols Racing | 2 | $47,500 | $55,000 | $95,000 |
| Tanya Hanson | 4 | $21,750 | $40,000 | $87,000 |
| Andrew Bobbin | 2 | $43,000 | $70,000 | $86,000 |
Vendors by aggregate
| Armidale Stud, Carrick, Tas | 22 | $43,364 | $145,000 | $954,000 |
| Motree Thoroughbreds, Waterhouse, Tas | 17 | $29,882 | $82,500 | $508,000 |
| Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas | 12 | $35,958 | $80,000 | $431,500 |
| Brookview Thoroughbreds, Cressy, Tas | 9 | $31,889 | $100,000 | $287,000 |
| C & K Mahoney, Weetah, Tas | 3 | $34,333 | $50,000 | $103,000 |
| Waterford Livestock, Latrobe, Tas | 5 | $16,600 | $30,000 | $83,000 |
| Burnewang North Pastoral Pty Ltd, Rochester, Vic | 3 | $27,000 | $45,000 | $81,000 |
| Alva Stud, Hagley, Tas | 3 | $26,000 | $36,000 | $78,000 |
| Macleay Thoroughbred Stud, Westwood, Tas | 5 | $15,200 | $30,000 | $76,000 |
| National Lodge, Latrobe, Tas | 1 | $34,000 | $34,000 | $34,000 |
Vendors by average (2 or more sold)
| Armidale Stud, Carrick, Tas | 22 | $43,364 | $145,000 | $954,000 |
| Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas | 12 | $35,958 | $80,000 | $431,500 |
| C & K Mahoney, Weetah, Tas | 3 | $34,333 | $50,000 | $103,000 |
| Brookview Thoroughbreds, Cressy, Tas | 9 | $31,889 | $100,000 | $287,000 |
| Motree Thoroughbreds, Waterhouse, Tas | 17 | $29,882 | $82,500 | $508,000 |
| Burnewang North Pastoral Pty Ltd, Rochester, Vic | 3 | $27,000 | $45,000 | $81,000 |
| Alva Stud, Hagley, Tas | 3 | $26,000 | $36,000 | $78,000 |
| Waterford Livestock, Latrobe, Tas | 5 | $16,600 | $30,000 | $83,000 |
| Barker Thoroughbreds, Swansea, Tas | 2 | $16,500 | $28,000 | $33,000 |
| Macleay Thoroughbred Stud, Westwood, Tas | 5 | $15,200 | $30,000 | $76,000 |
Sires by aggregate
| Needs Further | 9 | $55,389 | $145,000 | $498,500 |
| Stratosphere | 5 | $36,100 | $67,500 | $180,500 |
| All Too Hard | 2 | $81,250 | $82,500 | $162,500 |
| Alpine Eagle | 7 | $21,000 | $34,000 | $147,000 |
| Ghaiyyath | 3 | $47,000 | $75,000 | $141,000 |
| Earthlight | 3 | $38,667 | $40,000 | $116,000 |
| Grunt | 2 | $53,500 | $100,000 | $107,000 |
| Doubtland | 6 | $17,167 | $40,000 | $103,000 |
| Churchill | 3 | $30,333 | $45,000 | $91,000 |
| Nicconi | 2 | $44,000 | $70,000 | $88,000 |
Sires by average (2 or more sold)
| All Too Hard | 2 | $81,250 | $82,500 | $162,500 |
| Needs Further | 9 | $55,389 | $145,000 | $498,500 |
| Grunt | 2 | $53,500 | $100,000 | $107,000 |
| Ghaiyyath | 3 | $47,000 | $75,000 | $141,000 |
| Nicconi | 2 | $44,000 | $70,000 | $88,000 |
| Puissance de Lune | 2 | $40,000 | $60,000 | $80,000 |
| Earthlight | 3 | $38,667 | $40,000 | $116,000 |
| Foxwedge | 2 | $36,250 | $40,000 | $72,500 |
| Stratosphere | 5 | $36,100 | $67,500 | $180,500 |
| Frosted | 2 | $36,000 | $52,000 | $72,000 |
