Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
On Tuesday, Magic Millions will hold its inaugural August Virtual Sale, featuring a catalogue of 48 lots, including Marabi (I Am Invincible). The former Ciaron Maher-trained speedster won her first seven starts, including the G1 Oakleigh Plate and the G2 Australia S.
Marabi is a daughter of the three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible and is offered in foal to Widden Stud’s Zoustar, who is standing at a fee of $275,000 (inc GST) this season. She also boasts a strong pedigree, being out of Nakaaya (Tiger Hill {Ire}), a five-time winner including the G2 Sunline S. In addition to Marabi, Nakaaya is the dam of Aristia (Lonhro), who claimed victories in the G1 VRC Oaks and the G2 Wakeful S., and recorded placings in the G1 Empire Rose S. and the G1 Vinery Stud S.
Lot 34 - Marabi | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bred and raced by Greg Perry, Marabi has been highly praised. At the time of her retirement, Perry commented, “She did a wonderful job, she won her first seven races and a Group 1. Marabi was exceptional, I know I’m biased, but she wasn’t just lightning quick, she could maintain it.
“She announced herself to the industry as top class the day she won by 7l at Ballarat, running away from them, and she confirmed that ability in the Oakleigh Plate where she sat up on the speed, running 9.93s from the 1000-800-metre mark and 10.66s from 800-600 metres. She was jogging doing those early splits and she still managed to put a space on a top-class field into the straight to win comfortably.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have raced some good ones but nothing as gifted with natural, sustained speed like she had.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to have raced some good ones but nothing as gifted with natural, sustained speed like she (Lot 34) had.” - Greg Perry
Her former trainer, Maher, added, “Goodness, what a wonderful mare. She possessed incredible ability and had an amazing turn of foot.”
Marabi raced clear in the G1 Oakleigh Plate in 2022 | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
A ‘Mini’ National Sale
The 48-lot catalogue is packed with quality, and despite being held in August, it reads like a small version of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch agreed with this sentiment, stating, “It’s a mini National Sale, isn’t it? I think we’ve got a lot of quality there at all levels, and we’re excited to put them to auction virtually tomorrow (Tuesday).”
“It’s a mini National Sale, isn’t it? I think we’ve got a lot of quality there at all levels, and we’re excited to put them to auction virtually tomorrow (Tuesday).” - Barry Bowditch
Bowditch explained that the virtual sales format is something they have experimented with in one-off situations over the past 12 months but doing it with a 48-lot catalogue is unique and new for them. “We’re looking forward to it,” he added.
Regarding the decision to host a virtual sale in August, Bowditch shared that it was largely driven by feedback from buyers and breeders. “We pitched it not long after the National Sale and thought we’d give it a crack.”
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
He continued, “We didn’t have a set number as a target. We just wanted to have reasonable quality horses at different levels that we felt would suit the market. I think the feedback on the catalogue has been that we’ve achieved that.”
Bowditch concluded by saying, “It seems people are liking what’s in the catalogue. Hopefully, the engagement we’ve had up until now will back up the support the vendors have given us with participation at tomorrow’s auction (Tuesday).”
No one act affair
Although the presence of Marabi is a huge drawcard, the Magic Millions August Virtual Sale is far from a one-act affair. Joining Marabi is a former stablemate, Steel City (Merchant Navy), catalogued as Lot 13.
Steel City won the G3 Magic Night S. as a 2-year-old and was placed in the G3 Widden S. A former graduate of the Gold Coast, the daughter of Merchant Navy was sold for $700,000 to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and Best Bloodstock at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Lot 13 - Steel City | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She is from the Street Cry (Ire) mare Pittsburgh Flyer, who won the G3 GH Mumm S. and was placed in the G1 Oakleigh Plate. Pittsburgh Flyer has proven an exceptional broodmare, with Steel City’s half-sister being September Run (Exceed And Excel), a victress of the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and the G1 William Reid S.
Asked when he knew Steel City was a horse with Group-class ability, Maher said in an interview, “Pretty much straight away. She was always very natural and was a well-put-together 2-year-old. She broke in seamlessly; it was very obvious.
“Her biggest attribute was her precocity and strength. You only need to have a look at Steel City’s Blue Diamond run to see how much ability she had. She never came off the bridle; it was pretty painful to watch, but she was a very good horse.
“Her (Lot 13) biggest attribute was her precocity and strength. You only need to have a look at Steel City’s Blue Diamond run to see how much ability she had. She never came off the bridle...” - Ciaron Maher
“Steel City was in our top three fillies that year. She was absolutely humming heading into the Blue Diamond but never got a look at them. I was very confident heading to the races that day, and I have no doubt she was good enough to win a race like that.”
Lot 3, Boognish (Sooboog), trained by Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea, won the G3 Proud Miss S. and was placed in the Listed Matrice S. and the Listed Lightning S. The daughter of Sooboog is from the Listed winner and Group 2-placed Regrowth (Unbridled’s Song {USA}).
Lot 3 - Boognish | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Regrowth is also the dam of Colour (More Than Ready {USA}), a victress of the G3 Breeders’ S. and a $1.6 million purchase from the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Clarken said, “Boognish’s best victory came this year at the Morphettville carnival in the G3 Proud Miss S. Under Jamie Kah, who gave her a beautiful ride, Boognish was too strong on the day in a blanket finish and really showed her class. She was also stakes-placed in the Lightning S., where she got a long way off them and stormed home to earn some black-type.
“From day one we knew she could gallop. She was a winner on debut but took a little bit of time to furnish and develop into her big frame, but she was worth waiting for. As a type, she’s the most athletic horse you’d find. She’s got a big, graceful walk with a lovely overstep.
“From day one we knew she (Lot 3) could gallop... As a type, she’s the most athletic horse you’d find. She’s got a big, graceful walk with a lovely overstep.” - Will Clarken
“She’s got great conformation and is just a lovely mare. Around the yard, she’s a really straightforward mare. Boognish had a great appetite and worked with intent. She really was a dream to train.”
Clarken posed the question if Boognish was to stay in training, adding, “We’re nowhere near getting to the bottom of Boognish. I think she’s got plenty of racing to come; we haven’t touched her ceiling yet.
“We’re nowhere near getting to the bottom of Boognish. I think she’s got plenty of racing to come; we haven’t touched her ceiling yet.” - Will Clarken
“I think there are plenty of good options for her in the later spring. She’s had two runs since winning the G3 Proud Miss S., which weren’t up to her usual grade, but I feel she really doesn’t like the bite out of the ground. Back on top of a surface, you’ll see the real Boognish again.”
Will Clarken | Image courtesy of Racing SA
Fancy a Frankel?
Prospective buyers will also have the opportunity to secure a mare in foal to the incredible Frankel (GB). Catalogued as Lot 19 on behalf of Yarraman Park Stud, Have A Good Day (Ire) is a daughter of Adaay (Ire) and is carrying her maiden cover to the Juddmonte Farm legend.
Have A Good Day won three races from 1000 to 1200 metres, including the G3 Prix de Cabourg S., and was placed in the G2 Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte.
Lot 19 - Have A Good Day | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Yarraman’s Arthur Mitchell said, “Have A Good Day was a top-class 2-year-old. She won three races as a juvenile, including a Group 3 at Deauville in a very prestigious race.
“She also contested two Group 1s. She was precocious, fast, and top-class. Have A Good Day looks ideal for Australian breeding purposes; she’s strong, good-looking, has a deep girth, and is a good walker.
“I really feel she’s perfect for Australian conditions. She is the only Group-winning mare to be sold in foal to Frankel in the Southern Hemisphere this year, which is pretty exciting. Frankel’s stats in Australia are through the roof, so he is arguably the best sire in the world, and he looks perfect for this mare.
“I really feel she’s perfect for Australian conditions. She is the only Group-winning mare to be sold in foal to Frankel in the Southern Hemisphere this year, which is pretty exciting. Frankel’s stats in Australia are through the roof...” - Arthur Mitchell
“I think she gives Australian breeders a chance to breed or race something exceptional.”
Arthur Mitchell | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Other highlights
Also catalogued in the Magic Millions August Virtual Sale is Lot 5, Fabulism (Written Tycoon), on behalf of Strawberry Hill Farm. The 3-year-old is from the Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Miss Fabulass (Frankel {GB}), herself a daughter of the Champion Filly Samantha Miss (Redoute’s Choice).
Aureus Angel (Turffontein) is offered as Lot 2 by Baddock Bloodstock. She is the winner of five races, including the Listed Bright Shadow H., and was placed in the G2 Dane Ripper S. Musk Creek Farm presents Lot 23, Only Words (NZ) (Sweynesse).
Gallery: Some of the other high-interest horses of offer in the Magic Millions Virtual Sale on Tuesday, images courtesy of Magic Millions
She won five races, including the G2 The Roses and the Listed Wanganui Guineas. She foaled a colt by Maurice (Jpn) last spring and is being offered in foal to Swettenham Stud’s Toronado (Ire).
Proven producer Sognai (Magic Albert) (Lot 24), also from the Yarraman Park Stud draft, is offered in foal to the operation’s resident sire Hellbent. Together, Sognai and Hellbent have produced Kristilli, a victress of the G2 Percy Sykes S.
Swettenham Stud presents Lot 10, Queen Air, a daughter of Toronado (Ire) who was placed in the G1 VRC Oaks. Twin Hills Stud is offering Lot 21, Nevershotthedeputy, a daughter of Written Tycoon, who is in foal to Darley’s Too Darn Hot (GB).
