Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
Five horses sold for seven figures on Day 2, bringing the sale total so far to nine. Laguna Partnership and trainer John Sargent splashed out $2.3 million for the day’s top lot, Lot 353, a full sister to dual Group 1 winner In Secret (I Am Invincible).
The average stayed essentially static from Day 1’s $278,549 shifting to $277,145 on Day 2, slightly below the $290,951 average at the same point last year. The median remained at $200,000, the same as Day 1, and down on the $220,000 at this stage in 2024.
With 352 lots sold over the first two days, the gross sits at $97,555,000, down from 2024’s record gross of $101,833,000 for the same stage.
With the clearance rate at the end of Day 1 being 74.65 per cent, by the close of Day 2 it had risen to 81.29 per cent.
The battle for top vendor is tight with Newgate Farm leapfrogging Segenhoe Stud to the top of the vendor table. Newgate Farm has now sold 24 yearlings for $9.375 million. Segenhoe Stud sits second by gross and average, with Milburn Creek leading the vendors by average.
I Am Invincible leads the way at the close of play on Day 2, having sold 16 lots for a gross of $11.8 million at an average of $739,688. He has sired three of the nine seven-figure lots so far. Snitzel sits in second place with an almost identical average, $738,462, for his 13 yearlings sold.
Coolmore’s first-season sire Home Affairs recorded a landmark result on Day 2 when the filly from Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt) sold to the Waterhouse/Bott/Kestrel team for $1.05 million. He leads the first season sires on gross, with 22 yearlings sold for $7.37 million at an average of $335,227. Stay Inside is close behind with an average of $325,000 for his 15 yearlings sold.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing have teamed up with Kestrel Thoroughbreds to be the leading buyers by close of Day 2 with 12 lots bought for $4.48 million, while Resolute Bloodstock has purchased 10 yearlings for $4.2 million. Tom Magnier of Coolmore Stud sits in third for $2.85 million.
Te Akau's love for Vinnie continues
As the owners of the mighty mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) as well as the G1 Manawatu Sires Produce S. winner Move To Strike (I Am Invincible), Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis is obviously one of I Am Invincible’s greatest fans.
Secured at the 2020 Magic Millions for $360,000 before embarking on a stellar career that saw her win 10 races at the elite level, Imperatriz amassed in excess of $6.9 million in stakes before being sold at last year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for a record-breaking $6.6 million.
Ellis has continued to purchase the progeny of I Am Invincible, including a NZ$1.65 million New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run colt last spring; the highest price achieved during that sale’s history.
David Ellis | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The spending spree on the breed has continued at the Magic Millions with a filly (Lot 74) and a colt (Lot 115) secured on Tuesday and another filly (Lot 306) on Wednesday.
Bought for $510,000 from the draft of Segenhoe Stud on behalf of Fairway Thoroughbreds, Lot 74 is out of the Group 2-placed Randwick winner Villa Carlotta (Street Cry {Ire}) from the prolific Dancing Show (USA) (Nijinsky {Can}) family.
Lot 115 was a $600,000 purchase sold by Yarraman Park Stud. His dam Zimaretto (Anabaa {USA}) is already dam of an I Am Invincible stakes winner; the dual Group 3 winner California Zimbol; also producing the Listed winners From Within (Not A Single Doubt) and Cruden Bay (Not A Single Doubt).
Gallery: The progeny of I Am Invincible that were purchased by David Ellis, image courtesy of Magic Millions
Ellis was back in action early on day 2 with Lot 296 out of the stakes-placed, multiple city winner Danish Spy (Dane Shadow) bought for $375,000 from Yarraman. She is a full sister to Rosemont Stud’s G2 BRC Sires Produce S.-winning young stallion Strasbourg.
Ellis has developed a keen eye for the I Am Invincible breed, noting that “it is pretty obvious which ones are going to run at two and which ones are going to need a little bit more time.”
Ellis attributes the success of the two-time Australian Champion Sire not only to the horse’s ability to sire outstanding types who can run, but also to how his career has been handled.
“You would not get a better stud than Yarraman,” he said. “The horse has been beautifully managed, promoted and mated.”
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park
Ellis said that whilst the progeny of I Am Invincible “come in all shapes and sizes,” they do have athleticism and great attitudes in common.
“All of ours have had great brains, they are easy to break in, easy to train. And they all have that great strength and movement.”
Ellis enjoyed dropping into Yarraman a couple of months ago, pleased to see I Am Invincible in great shape at the age of 20.
“He looks how you’d expect the best stallion in Australia to look,” he said. “He is in great hands and he looks absolutely amazing.”
“He (I Am Invincible) looks how you’d expect the best stallion in Australia to look. He is in great hands and he looks absolutely amazing.” - David Ellis
A new Magics player
The $2.3 million sale-topping I Am Invincible full sister to the dual Group 1-winning sprinter In Secret out of the two-time Group 3 winner Eloping (Choisir) had those in the auditorium congratulating Segenhoe Stud for their success whilst also welcoming a new player on the Magic Millions scene.
The eye-catching bay was secured by the Laguna Partnership with John Sargent Racing.
Lot 353 - I Am Invincible x Eloping (filly)
The latter, is of course, well-known as a trainer who has enjoyed great success on both sides of the Tasman over many years, but Laguna is a new name leading many to ask who was behind the big sale.
Laguna is Ian Moses, who Sargent has actually been training for for some time, though he is now moving into the larger arena of commercial racing and breeding.
“I have been training for Ian, a fellow Kiwi, for a long time and now he is building a broodmare band,” Sargent explained.
Ian Moses and John Sargent | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
And in that regard Moses wanted to aim for the top, saying that “I realised that if you want to be in this business at the top end, you’ve got to put in the investment.”
And Moses loved this filly, describing her as the sale’s “dominant” filly and one with “a great temperament.”
Sargent added that, “You’ve got to buy the best which is I Am Invincible, and I think this was the best filly in the sale today.”
“You’ve got to buy the best which is I Am Invincible, and I think this (Lot 353) was the best filly in the sale today.” - John Sargent
“It’s a good investment in the long run and hopefully we can get some black type for her. She will go for a break now, we won’t be in any rush.”
“The long-term strategy is to have at least 10 high-quality broodmares stationed at Coolmore,” Moses said. “And I'm almost up to 10 now on the track and at the stud farm.”
Moses and his wife Vivienne McIntosh established Aussie Pet Mobile in 1996, a hugely successful and now international animal grooming service.
Several vendors clearing the decks efficiently
Not only were Newgate Farm the biggest sellers in regards to numbers over the first two days of the sales, they are also high achievers in regards to clearance rates with 24 of their 26 youngsters on offer finding new homes.
Their biggest seller so far is the $1.7 million Snitzel colt; Lot 387 out of the imported dual stakes winner Fashion Faux Pas (USA) (Flatter {USA}) whilst their average is a very healthy $390,625.
Yarraman Park Stud and Vinery Stud can proudly boast 100 per cent clearance rates, between them selling 29 horses.
Smaller vendors who have met the market with all their four or more yearlings selling so far include Twin Hills (8), Daandine (7), Torryburn (7), Emirates Park (6), Waikato Stud (5) and Silverdale Farm (5).
Widden Stud have sold 19 of 21 (an average of $272,105) headlined by the $800,000 Zoustar colt (Lot 224) out of the G1 Myer Classic winner Bonaria (Redoute’s Choice).
Meanwhile, Segenhoe Stud have passed in only one of their 18. Their average of $549,412 is the second highest with their best seller being the sale-topping $2.3 million I Am Invincible full sister (Lot 353) to In Secret.
First-season stallions can provide great returns off service fees
Twenty-one stallions have their first yearlings through the ring at this sale and the first couple of days have seen nice results for a number of those including several providing excellent returns off lower end service fees.
Suman Hedge Bloodstock teamed up with Ciaron Maher Bloodstock to take home the first yearling by Aquis Farm’s G1 Manikato S. winner Jonker; $300,000 ($16,500 inc GST service fee) for a daughter of the dual city winner Cafe Rizu (Rubick).
“We are shareholders in Jonker and we really like what we are seeing,” Hedge said, adding that, “We did think we would get her for around $200,000 but if you really like them you have to keep going.”
Another 11 sons and daughters of Jonker are due to be sold throughout the remainder of the sale.
Fellow Aquis stallion Glenfiddich, a G2 Bill Stutt S.-winning son of Fastnet Rock, had just one horse in the sale; Lot 338 selling for $170,000 ($8800 inc GST service fee) to Kelly Schweida Racing from the draft of Kingstar Farm. He is a half-brother to last year’s G3 Pago Pago S. winner Dublin Down (Exceedance) out of the dual Listed winner Dublin Lass (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Gallery: Some of the top results for the first-season stallions, images courtesy of Magic Millions
Waikato Stud’s G1 NZ 2000 Guineas-winning Savabeel stallion Noverre (NZ) had just one Day 2 entry off his NZ$10,000 (plus GST) service fee, kicking off with his first yearling offered at sale with Lot 245 from the draft of Waikato Stud, purchased by Neasham and Archibald Racing and William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) for $140,000.
Johnson described their purchase as being “a gorgeous filly who is a great advertisement for the stallion.”
“If she was by Savabeel she would have been five times the price so we were happy to get into the Savabeel blood this way.”
“If she (Lot 245) was by Savabeel she would have been five times the price so we were happy to get into the Savabeel blood this way.” - William Johnson
It could be the start of a promising week for Waikato Stud and Noverre as the famed New Zealand stud will offer Lot 932 who is a daughter of the dual Group winning mare Shopaholic (NZ) (Pins) and Lot 988 who is a daughter of the Listed Mosgiel S. winner Starvoia (Starcraft {NZ}) and who is a three-quarter sister to the Group 1 winner Skew Wiff (NZ).
Gallery: Some of the first-season stallions who have enjoyed excellent results
Blueblood Gun Runner an interesting purchase
A unique blending of international bloodlines hit the Magic Millions ring as a son of the American Champion Sire Gun Runner (USA) and the G1 Golden Slipper heroine Estijaab (Snitzel) was presented in great fashion as Lot 369 by Emirates Park.
This colt comes from an outstanding family, Estijaab being one of the two stakes winners produced by the dual Group 1-winning sprinter/miler Response (Charge Forward); the G3 Concorde S. winner Remarque (Snitzel) the other.
Estijaab’s only runner to race Ejaabiyah (GB) (Frankel {GB}) has been a dual winner and has been Listed-placed in England.
Lot 369 - Gun Runner (USA) x Estijaab (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The successful purchaser of this colt for $500,000 was PR Thoroughbreds and Mark Player when speaking on behalf of himself and Rob Roulston was keen to comment that “we are delighted to get him.”
“He has a great walk, a great attitude and has that rich chestnut colour. We saw him several times and he just did everything beautifully and kept on improving.”
“We just thought wouldn't it be lovely if we could afford a Gun Runner colt and we are very happy to now have one!”
“He (Lot 369) has a great walk, a great attitude and has that rich chestnut colour. We saw him several times and he just did everything beautifully and kept on improving.” - Mark Player
When reflecting on his purchase Player said “at an auction we are always looking for good value, we all know how Snitzel works with fast mares and we thought that a fast American sire over a Slipper-winning Snitzel mare should have a very good chance of having success.”
Gun Runner, who calls Three Chimneys home, standing for US$250,000 (AU$401,200) is yet to have an Australian runner. Ten of his 36 stakes winners have succeeded at Group 1 level.
Gun Runner (USA) | Standing at Three Chimneys Farm
The next generation well represented
Every year sees new and old faces around the sales ring and it is always encouraging to see generations of famed racing families coming through. There have been many sons of outstanding trainers making their presence felt such as Calvin McEvoy whose father Tony McEvoy has been proving his talent for decades.
Calvin has many great Magic Millions memories, from his early days remembering that it was “that great time when the whole family got to go on holiday at the Gold Coast!”
But it wasn’t just the beaches and theme parks that had a young Calvin interested, he was fascinated by his father’s trade from an early age.
Calvin McEvoy | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I always loved horses and racing, so it was a big thrill for me to go to the sales, to follow Dad around, to meet people and learn.”
For the last 10 or so years more actively involved in the selection and purchase of horses, McEvoy said that he “absolutely loves” the process.
“I am very lucky. Being a son of a trainer certainly gave me a leg-up as it has done with people like Sam Freedman and Michael Kent Jnr but that’s not to say we haven’t put the work in, and we certainly don’t take things for granted.”
“I always loved horses and racing, so it was a big thrill for me to go to the sales, to follow Dad (Tony McEvoy) around, to meet people and learn.” - Calvin McEvoy
McEvoy laughed as he noted that there are “no rules” in regards to finding the right horse but he does look at yearlings from a trainer’s perspective.
“They need to be able to move well and they need to be strong. We are big type buyers but we also look at pedigree which tends to be important in terms of value and how much a horse is going to cost.”
The Mitchell McEvoy team have enjoyed good Magic Millions success over the years, cheering on the likes of Sunlight (Zoustar) and more recently Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot {GB}).
They have been active buyers over the first couple of days of this year’s sale, purchasing seven yearlings by Exceed And Excel, Bivouac, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr), Street Boss (USA), Toronado (Ire) and Stay Inside.
Calvin McEvoy’s favourite so far is a Home Affairs filly, Lot 17 bought for $550,000 from Yarraman Park Stud.
Lot 17 - Home Affairs x The Natural (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She is a beautiful filly who we just had to have,” he said. “She is a Queen who we could not fault at all. We are big fans of Home Affairs and this filly was well-prepared from a great farm.”
She is the second foal for the city winner The Natural (Fastnet Rock) who the McEvoys also trained. She is a half-sister to the G1 VRC Derby and G1 BMW S. winner Fiveandahalfstar (Hotel Grand) and to the dam of last year’s G1SPring Champion S. winner El Castello (Castelvecchio).
Top buyers
| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/Kestrel Thoroughbreds | 12 | $373,750 | $1,050,000 | $4,485,000 |
| Resolute Bloodstock | 10 | $424,500 | $1,600,000 | $4,245,000 |
| David Ellis (BAFNZ)/Te Akau Racing | 13 | $312,692 | $625,000 | $4,065,000 |
| Tom Magnier | 2 | $1,425,000 | $1,700,000 | $2,850,000 |
| KPW Bloodstock | 8 | $323,125 | $775,000 | $2,585,000 |
| Ciaron Maher Bloodstock | 10 | $249,000 | $550,000 | $2,490,000 |
| James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership/Tony Fung Colts | 3 | $766,667 | $1,000,000 | $2,300,000 |
| Laguna Partnership/John Sargent Racing | 1 | $2,300,000 | $2,300,000 | $2,300,000 |
| McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) | 8 | $281,250 | $550,000 | $2,250,000 |
| Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock | 5 | $435,000 | $520,000 | $2,175,000 |
Vendors by aggregate
| Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW | 24 | $390,625 | $1,700,000 | $9,375,000 |
| Segenhoe Stud, Aberdeen, NSW | 17 | $549,412 | $2,300,000 | $9,340,000 |
| Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 19 | $272,105 | $800,000 | $5,170,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone, NSW | 15 | $344,667 | $625,000 | $5,170,000 |
| Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW | 14 | $365,000 | $1,000,000 | $5,110,000 |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains, NSW | 14 | $362,857 | $1,600,000 | $5,080,000 |
| Yulong, Nagambie, Vic | 9 | $427,778 | $1,800,000 | $3,850,000 |
| Vinery Stud, Scone, NSW | 14 | $239,643 | $900,000 | $3,355,000 |
| Eureka Stud, Cambooya, Qld | 11 | $263,636 | $1,000,000 | $2,900,000 |
| Milburn Creek, Wildes Meadow, NSW | 5 | $552,000 | $1,700,000 | $2,760,000 |
Vendors by average (3 or more sold)
| Milburn Creek, Wildes Meadow, NSW | 5 | $552,000 | $1,700,000 | $2,760,000 |
| Segenhoe Stud, Aberdeen, NSW | 17 | $549,412 | $2,300,000 | $9,340,000 |
| Rosemont Stud, Gnarwarre, Vic | 4 | $507,500 | $900,000 | $2,030,000 |
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 5 | $467,000 | $775,000 | $2,335,000 |
| Yulong, Nagambie, Vic | 9 | $427,778 | $1,800,000 | $3,850,000 |
| Lime Country Thoroughbreds, Blandford, NSW | 6 | $395,833 | $750,000 | $2,375,000 |
| Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW | 24 | $390,625 | $1,700,000 | $9,375,000 |
| Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW | 14 | $365,000 | $1,000,000 | $5,110,000 |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains, NSW | 14 | $362,857 | $1,600,000 | $5,080,000 |
Sires by aggregate
| I Am Invincible | 16.00 | 739,688.00 | 2,300,000.00 | 11,835,000.00 |
| Snitzel | 13.00 | 738,462.00 | 1,700,000.00 | 9,600,000.00 |
| Home Affairs | 22.00 | 335,227.00 | 1,050,000.00 | 7,375,000.00 |
| Stay Inside | 15.00 | 325,000.00 | 1,000,000.00 | 4,875,000.00 |
| Zoustar | 10.00 | 475,000.00 | 800,000.00 | 4,750,000.00 |
| Wootton Bassett | 7.00 | 598,571.00 | 1,700,000.00 | 4,190,000.00 |
| Written Tycoon | 6.00 | 583,333.00 | 1,800,000.00 | 3,500,000.00 |
| Farnan | 12.00 | 264,167.00 | 750,000.00 | 3,170,000.00 |
| Too Darn Hot | 10.00 | 265,000.00 | 650,000.00 | 2,650,000.00 |
| Pinatubo | 11.00 | 224,545.00 | 700,000.00 | 2,470,000.00 |
Sires by average (3 or more sold)
| I Am Invincible | 16 | $739,688 | $2,300,000 | $11,835,000 |
| Snitzel | 13 | $738,462 | $1,700,000 | $9,600,000 |
| Wootton Bassett | 7 | $598,571 | $1,700,000 | $4,190,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 6 | $583,333 | $1,800,000 | $3,500,000 |
| Zoustar | 10 | $475,000 | $800,000 | $4,750,000 |
| Extreme Choice | 5 | $450,000 | $550,000 | $2,250,000 |
| Home Affairs | 22 | $335,227 | $1,050,000 | $7,375,000 |
| Stay Inside | 15 | $325,000 | $1,000,000 | $4,875,000 |
| The Autumn Sun | 5 | $284,000 | $900,000 | $1,420,000 |
| Too Darn Hot | 10 | $265,000 | $650,000 | $2,650,00 |
