Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
The day two topper was Mariamia (Toronado {Ire}) purchased by Zhijun Zhao for $1.8 million - higher than last year when Zenaida (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) headed to the same farm for $1.4 million.
After two days of trading the average sits at $234,735 which compares nicely with last year’s opening two day average of $233,351 whilst the median of $100,000 is down from $110,000.
There were 323 lots sold over the two days. This year’s gross sits at $75,819,500 with a clearance rate of 80.75 per cent.
Three of the sale’s overall top ten sellers went through the ring on Wednesday.
Zhijun Zhao remains the biggest buyer with eight mares for an average in excess of $1.6 million and a gross of $13.125 million.
Newgate are the most prolific vendors - 44 sold for an average of $356,341 and a gross beyond $15.6 million.
Amongst the horses represented by at least three lots, I Am Invincible boasts the highest averages both as sire and as covering sire.
Mariamia a great result for Newhaven
The day’s topper came late in the day with Mariamia (Toronado {Ire}) purchased by Zhijun Zhao for $1.8 million - a lovely profit margin for Newhaven Stud who bought the talented bay for $335,000 online two years ago.
They had already fared very well out of Mariamia who improved off her benchmark form to win the G2 Expressway S. for her new owners and a couple of months later the G1 Galaxy.
Bred by Adam Sangster and purchased by Gasper Stellato for just $18,000 at the 2018 Inglis Melbourne Premier, Mariamia was bought by Newhaven to visit their resident stallion Xtravagant (NZ) but her Group 1 form demanded she be upgraded with I Am Invincible the obvious option.
Lot 852 - Mariamia | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
It was a great decision by Newhaven with mares in foal to that Champion Sire proving exceptionally popular though the stud’s John Kelly was downplaying his foresight - “we got lucky!” he laughed.
“It is a wonderful price,” he said - “one that exceeded our expectations.”
Keen to continue Newhaven’s reputation as high class sellers, Kelly said “we like to bring quality to the ring whether it be weanlings, yearlings or broodmares and we thought that this was a good time to sell Mariamia.”
“It is a wonderful price... One that exceeded our expectations.” - John Kelly
Hailing from a Victorian family - one of those that always seems to have a good one - Mariamia is out of Quinta Lago (Encosta de Lago) whose stake placed dam Flying Spice (Flying Spur) is the grandam of the G1 VRC Derby winner Warning (Declaration Of War {USA}) .
Biscayne Bay - another in foal to Vinnie
Yarraman Stud enjoyed success early in the day as vendors, selling for $1.2 million to the Panthalassa Syndicate the classy mare Biscayne Bay (Sebring).
The Widden Stud bred mare - a $410,000 Magic Millions yearling - was a good filly for the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable; winning two races and finishing in the placings in stakes company on three occasions including a game third off an awkward start in the G1 VRC Oaks won by Willowy (Kermadec {NZ}).
Retired to stud last spring, the attractive bay was served by I Am Invincible; getting in foal first time.
Lot 683 - Biscayne Bay | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She is a magnificent style of mare,” said Yarraman’s Matthew Scown, describing the 5-year-old as “a very versatile racehorse.”
“And she has a great attitude which no doubt she will pass on to her progeny.”
“We thought I Am Invincible was a really good mating for her,” and Troy Stephens representing her new owners agreed.
“And she (Lot 683) has a great attitude which no doubt she will pass on to her progeny.” - Matthew Scown
“She is carrying a beautiful pregnancy,” he said, noting that with her 4 X 3 cross of Danehill (USA) that she looks a good match for “one of our young stallions like Pierata.”
“She is a gorgeous stakes winning Sebring mare who ran third in an Oaks and we thought she was really well bought.”
Biscayne Bay’s dam Fratianne (Lonhro) has been a regular visitor to Zoustar in recent years - her yearling colt by him fetching $400,000 (to Vinery) in January.
Matthew Scown | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Also dam of the G2 Reisling S. winner Tenley (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}), Fratianne is a granddaughter of the dual Group 1 winning high class broodmare Skating (At Talaq {USA}).
Bester goes for Frankel factor
“The thought of a Group 1 placed mare in foal to Frankel {GB}) was very enticing,” said James Bester after he purchased, on behalf of Morning Rise Stud, Grande Dame (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) for $1.2 million.
A lightly raced and talented import who won two of her eight starts including the Listed Distaff S. at Sandown, Grande Dame was third in the G1 Sun Chariot S. - also placed at Group 3 and Listed level.
Lot 772 - Grande Dame (GB) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bred by Whatton Manor Stud out of the internationally prolific Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}) family, Grande Dame is part of a Morning Rise plan to play at the top end of the game with Bester saying that “if you are not playing at that level you might as well not play!”
Also involved in the purchase (for $1.4 million) of Legacies (Justify {USA}) yesterday, Morning Rise are certainly upgrading their broodmare band and Bester is looking forward to the arrival of their Frankel foal.
“He is the world’s best stallion - well if Justify isn’t,” he joked, pointing out Frankel’s outstanding statistics including an 11.7 per cent Group winner to runner strike rate.
James Bester after he purchased, on behalf of Morning Rise Stud, Grande Dame (GB) for $1.2 million | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“Most world class stallions have 10 per cent stakes winners to runners,” he said, also impressed by the super stallion’s Australian record… 17 stakes winners amongst his 64 local winners from 91 runners.
Frankel has had just six runners out of Lope de Vega mares so far; four being winners including the Group 3 filly Halfday (Fr) who has looked good winning two of her first three starts.
Zoustar mare glistens
It was the third time through the Magic Millions sales ring for Glistening (Zoustar) who in 2020 was purchased by James Harron and the Freedman brothers for $250,000 - for that stable winning two of her ten starts including the G2 Reisling S. - reoffered as a broodmare two years ago.
James Harron again had his hand up that day, purchasing her for Morningside Park for $775,000 who sent her to Written Tycoon.
Sadly that foal died but she got back in foal last year and today she was sold with a late October service to the Champion Sire I Am Invincible to Kia Ora Stud for $950,000.
Lot 767 - Glistening | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Kia Ora’s Shane Wright said - that he was happy to secure a top end mare today having found similar mares harder to buy yesterday.
“We did buy a few mares for our stallions on the first day but nothing at this level,” he said, pleased with the price paid for this smart mare.
“When you look at the prices in the racehorse section we have to be happy,” he said. “Glistening won a proper 2-year-old race and she is a lovely mare to add to our broodmare band.”
“Glistening won a proper 2-year-old race and she is a lovely mare to add to our broodmare band.” - Shane Wright
“We will take her home and work out who she goes to - it is wide open; she could go back to I Am Invincible or maybe go to Snitzel - she is the sort of mare who could produce something special.”
Glistening is out of the G3 Gold Coast Guineas winner Beethog (Shovhog) who is still at stud - served last spring by Jacquinot. Her 2-year-old Zouper Fellow (Zousain) - a $120,000 Easter yearling - is a member of the Michael Freedman stable.
La Dragontea proves popular
The second high priced mare by her high achieving sire for the day, La Dragontea (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) was sold by Rosemont Stud to the nearby Baystone Farm whose Dean Harvey was very happy with the “good package” he secured for $900,000 for long term clients.
“She is a well performed international mare in foal to one of the hottest stallions in the country,” he said of the imported mare who was sold with an October 24 service to Darley’s exciting first season stallion Too Darn Hot (GB).
“In a couple of years mares in foal to him are going to be worth more,” he said, pleased with not only the pregnancy but with the quality of La Dragontea who raced well in Canada, England, America and Australia.
Dean Harvey secured La Dragontea (GB) for $900,000 for long term clients | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The winner of four of her 22 starts, the 7-year-old won the G2 Canadian S. at Woodbine and was second in the G1 EP Taylor S. at that same track. She was also Group 3 placed at Aqueduct and second to Foxy Frida (Foxwedge) in the Listed Centaurea S. at Morphettville.
Julian Blaxland/Rosemont Stud had purchased La Dragontea for US$1,375,000 ($2,074,844) at Fasig-Tipton November in 2021.
La Dragontea’s dam is a Sadler’s Wells (USA) three quarter sister to the European Champion 3YO Colt Montjeu (Ire) from the family of fellow Group 1 winners Again (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Acclaim (Ire), Goldream (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}).
Annavisto; a sharp mare
As the winner of seven of her 19 starts including two runnings of the G3 Frances Tressady S., Annavisto (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) was going to prove popular and so it transpired with Ridgmont and Clarke Bloodstock going to $850,000 to secure her from the Widden Stud draft.
Claimed only late when a game second to Nimalee (So You Think {NZ}) in the G1 Queen Of The Turf S., Annavisto was retired to stud last spring - served by Toronado (Ire), giving her foal three strains of Sadler’s Wells (USA).
A daughter of the dual Listed winner Avisto (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Annavisto was well admired by Jim Clarke who said “she is a lovely mare physically and she was very talented.”
Ridgmont and Clarke Bloodstock went to $850,000 to secure Annavisto (NZ) from the Widden Stud draft | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She has a good race record - her Group 1 placing was a great performance - and she was sharper than many of the Reliable Mans.”
“She is in foal to a very good young stallion and she has a versatile pedigree so there are a lot of options for her. We will get her home and see where she fits in - she will of course be mated commercially.”
“Toronado is going well here and in Hong Kong and being in foal to him made us go for that one last bid.”
“She (Annavisto) has a good race record - her Group 1 placing was a great performance - and she was sharper than many of the Reliable Mans.” - Jim Clarke
Still owned by Annavisto’s breeders Nearco Stud, Avisto was served last spring by Satono Aladdin (Jpn) having lost her previous foal by Reliable Man.
Frankel again
Not surprisingly mares in foal to Frankel (GB) continued to prove popular and Lolloping (USA) (War Front {USA}) was snapped up for $750,000 by Boomer Bloodstock.
A mare with a lovely international pedigree, she is out of the G1 Railway S. winner Bounding (Lonhro) whose G3 Blue Diamond Prelude winning dam Believe ‘N’ Succeed (Exceed And Excel) also produced the G1 Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Making her a good buy on her own, the Frankel inside her an excellent bonus.
Lolloping (USA) was snapped up for $750,000 by Boomer Bloodstock | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“It is a pretty rare package,” said Boomer’s Craig Rounsefell - “she is by a champion sire out of a champion mare who is a half-sister to a champion,” he said - “and she is a good looking mare.”
“We will take her to Three Bridges Thoroughbreds and work out a mating for her,” he said, adding that a couple of clients are involved in the ownership.
And I Am Invincible
Champion Sire I Am Invincible has been in demand in every shape and form this week - his weanlings, mares and foal to him and his daughters - such as Amen Corner who Newgate sold to SF Bloodstock for $700,000.
Showing good pace before working hard at her only start at Warwick Farm in March 2021, Amen Corner - a $750,000 Magic Millions graduate - fought on gamely to finish second to subsequent G3 Hawkesbury Guineas winner Mr Mozart (Snitzel).
“We didn’t get to see the best of her,” said SF Bloodstock’s Tom Ryan, describing the 5-year-old as “a beautiful mare with depth of pedigree.”
Tom Ryan | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“There are lots of options for her and we can bring her yearlings back to major sales.”
He has already put thought into a possible match for Amen Corner, noting that as “a nice young mare with an early cover she could be a mare for Extreme Choice - she is a fit physically.”
Amen Corner was sold with an early September service to the Champion Sire Snitzel with Ryan noting that “he is a stallion we have had a lot of success with so we have lots to look forward to.”
“A beautiful mare (Amen Corner) with depth of pedigree.” - Tom Ryan
Amen Corner is a half-sister to the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders S. winner Thyme For Roses (Redoute’s Choice) whose daughter Zeitlos (USA) (Curlin {USA}) is a Listed winner in the US where she has won six of her 13 starts including five of her last six.
Her dam is the RL Magic Millions 2YO Classic and dual Group 3 winner Augusta Proud (More Than Ready {USA}) from the family of the G1 New Zealand Oaks winner She’s Country (NZ) (Kenfair {NZ}).
Ulanova's sister a cracking type
With her G1 Sistema S. winning half-sister Ulanova (NZ) (Santos) selling for $1.2 million yesterday, Butter Blonde (Choisir) at $700,000 was a nice buy for Merricks Station, Group 1 Bloodstock and Matt Houldsworth.
The winner of three races and third in the G3 Ottawa S. at just her second start, Butter Blonde is also a half-sister to the Listed Merson Cooper S. winning Steal My Kisses (I Am Invincible) and the stakes placed Butch Kissidy (Wanted).
It was not lost on Merricks Station’s Ben Cooper that there are lots of classy mares in this family and that they are visiting high class stallions.
Lot 693 - Butter Blonde | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“It is a really nice active family,” he said, “the sort of families we are trying to buy in to.”
Describing Butter Blonde as their “signature purchase” at the sale, Cooper - who has around 25 well related mares at his Mornington Peninsula property - was happy with her not only on breeding but also on physique.
“She is an absolutely cracking type,” he said.
Ben Cooper
Bred by Aquis Farm, Butter Blonde was sold in foal to Justify (USA), a match Cooper is very happy with him having already supported that up-and-coming Coolmore resident.
Butter Blonde’s Group 3 placed dam The Fairy’s Kiss (Elusive Quality {USA}) missed last year but her previous foal - a Proisir filly - sold for $600,000 at Karaka in January.
Bowditch sums up
Magic Millions’ Barry Bowditch remained happy on day two, pleased not only with the quality of mares on offer but also with the class of the stallions they were being presented in foal to.
“We had a lot of mares in foal to high class stallions,” he said, “and what was evident was that the mares with strong appeal had a lot of buyers on them.”
“There is an obvious eye for quality and vendors with the right product are getting well paid for them.”
Top lots
| Lot 587 - Imperatriz | M | $6,600,000 |
| Lot 513 - Platinum Jubilee | F | $3,500,000 |
| Lot 487 - Madame Pommery | M | $2,700,000 |
| Lot 430 - Chain of Lightning | M | $2,500,000 |
| Lot 624 - Ruthless Dame | M | $2,000,000 |
| Lot 852 - Mariamia | M | $1,800,000 |
| Lot 482 - Legacies | F | $1,400,000 |
| Lot 566 - Ulanova | F | $1,200,000 |
| Lot 683 - Biscayne Bay | M | $1,200,000 |
| Lot 772 - Grande Dame | M | $1,200,000 |
Top buyers
| Zhijun Zhao | 8 | $1,640,625 | $6,600,000 | $13,125,000 |
| Coolmore Stud | 3 | $2,533,333 | $3,500,000 | $7,600,000 |
| Panthalassa Syndicate | 8 | $425,000 | $1,200,000 | $3,400,000 |
| Widden Stud | 5 | $487,000 | $900,000 | $2,435,000 |
| Katsumi Yoshida | 1 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Steve Morley Bloodstock/Glenlogan Park | 7 | $227,429 | $650,000 | $1,592,000 |
| Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) | 5 | $301,000 | $925,000 | $1,505,000 |
| Astute Bloodstock (FBAA)/Two Bays Farm | 3 | $481,667 | $725,000 | $1,445,000 |
| Kia Ora Stud | 7 | $205,714 | $950,000 | $1,440,000 |
| Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) | 5 | $252,500 | $750,000 | $1,262,500 |
Vendors by aggregate
| Newgate Consignment, Aberdeen, NSW | 44 | $356,341 | $3,500,000 | $15,679,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone, NSW | 26 | $257,731 | $1,200,000 | $6,701,000 |
| Te Akau Stud, Ngaruawahia, NZ | 1 | $6,600,000 | $6,600,000 | $6,600,000 |
| Kenmore Lodge, Wyreema, Qld | 12 | $437,417 | $2,500,000 | $5,249,000 |
| Rosemont Stud, Gnarwarre, Vic | 7 | $549,286 | $1,400,000 | $3,845,000 |
| Chris Waller Racing, Sydney, NSW | 4 | $937,500 | $2,700,000 | $3,750,000 |
| Ciaron Maher Racing, Melbourne, Vic | 8 | $427,188 | $2,000,000 | $3,417,500 |
| Element Hill (Unreserved Dispersal), Innisplain, Qld | 15 | $227,167 | $1,000,000 | $3,407,500 |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains, NSW | 14 | $229,429 | $1,200,000 | $3,212,000 |
| Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 14 | $161,571 | $850,000 | $2,262,000 |
Vendors by average (3 or more sold)
| Chris Waller Racing, Sydney, NSW | 4 | $937,500 | $2,700,000 | $3,750,000 |
| Sledmere Stud, Scone, NSW | 3 | $670,000 | $1,200,000 | $2,010,000 |
| Rosemont Stud, Gnarwarre, Vic | 7 | $549,286 | $1,400,000 | $3,845,000 |
| Kenmore Lodge, Wyreema, Qld | 12 | $437,417 | $2,500,000 | $5,249,000 |
| Newhaven Park, Boorowa, NSW | 5 | $430,400 | $1,800,000 | $2,152,000 |
| Ciaron Maher Racing, Melbourne, Vic | 8 | $427,188 | $2,000,000 | $3,417,500 |
| Newgate Consignment, Aberdeen, NSW | 44 | $356,341 | $3,500,000 | $15,679,000 |
| Morningside, Wahring, Vic | 5 | $313,500 | $950,000 | $1,567,500 |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone, NSW | 26 | $257,731 | $1,200,000 | $6,701,000 |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains, NSW | 14 | $229,429 | $1,200,000 | $3,212,000 |
Sires by aggregate
| I Am Invincible | 21 | $604,762 | $6,600,000 | $12,700,000 |
| Zoustar | 12 | $604,583 | $3,500,000 | $7,255,000 |
| Tavistock | 6 | $564,583 | $2,000,000 | $3,387,500 |
| No Nay Never | 1 | $2,700,000 | $2,700,000 | $2,700,000 |
| Fighting Sun | 1 | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 |
| Snitzel | 15 | $161,200 | $675,000 | $2,418,000 |
| Lope de Vega | 2 | $1,050,000 | $1,200,000 | $2,100,000 |
| Justify | 3 | $653,333 | $1,400,000 | $1,960,000 |
| Toronado | 2 | $937,500 | $1,800,000 | $1,875,000 |
| Sebring | 7 | $247,071 | $1,200,000 | $1,729,500 |
Sires by average (3 or more sold)
| Justify | 3 | $653,333 | $1,400,000 | $1,960,000 |
| I Am Invincible | 21 | $604,762 | $6,600,000 | $12,700,000 |
| Zoustar | 12 | $604,583 | $3,500,000 | $7,255,000 |
| Tavistock | 6 | $564,583 | $2,000,000 | $3,387,500 |
| Choisir | 3 | $406,667 | $700,000 | $1,220,000 |
| Hellbent | 3 | $383,333 | $925,000 | $1,150,000 |
| Trapeze Artist | 3 | $284,667 | $700,000 | $854,000 |
| Russian Revolution | 6 | $281,667 | $580,000 | $1,690,000 |
| Sebring | 7 | $247,071 | $1,200,000 | $1,729,500 |
| Redoute's Choice | 3 | $231,667 | $350,000 | $695,000 |
