Cover Image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
The all-time Magic Millions Gold Coast record price was broken on Day 3 with Lot 489, a Snitzel colt purchased by Ciaron Maher for $2.8 million, who was one of two seven-figure lots for the day. This was down from five on Day 3 in 2024, bringing the total for the sale in 2025 to 11.
The average of $277,351 is below the 2024 average at the same point of $289,810, and the same is true for the median at $200,000 compared to $220,000 at the same stage.
The current gross is $144,500,000 at the close of play on Day 3 with 521 lots sold so far. The clearance rate of 79.66 per cent is down on last year’s 85.21 per cent at the end of Day 3.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing with Kestrel Thoroughbreds continues to lead the buying bench, having signed for 18 yearlings outright for a total gross of $6,895,000 thus far, plus several more in partnership. Ciaron Maher Bloodstock sits in second, thanks to the sale-topper, with 12 yearlings purchased for $5,460,000.
Newgate Farm continues to lead the leading vendor standings with 35 of their 37 lots so far sold for $13.6 million at an average of $389,143, while in second is Segenhoe Stud who have sold 21 of their 22 lots for $10.7 million at an impressive average of $511,905.
Arrowfield Stud’s four-time Champion Sire Snitzel jumped to the top of the sire standings by gross with $17 million for his 22 yearlings at an impressive average of $777,045, while in second is I Am Invincible with 25 sold for an average of $616,000 and a gross of $15.4 million.
Home Affairs continues to be the leading first-season sire by gross with 31 yearlings sold for $10.5 million at an average of $340,000, which is also the leading average for a first season sire at the end of Day 3. Stay Inside remains in second with 21 yearlings sold for an average of $312,619 and a gross over $6.5 million.
New International interest in Australia continues
The Magic Millions sales ring was again lit up by foreign investment as the $2.8m record-breaking Snitzel colt was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock on behalf of English businessman Phil Cunningham.
Antony Thompson and Phil Cunningham | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
It is Cunningham’s second venture into Australian racing having teamed with Maher and other stable clients to purchase, for $825,000 a filly by I Am Invincible at last year’s Magic Millions.
Named Life After Love (Cunningham enjoying naming his horses with a musical theme; this one a homage to the Cher song ‘Believe’), she lined up in the Gold Coast Debut in late December, finishing fifth after showing pace.
“Ciaron was trying to get her to the race on Saturday so we planned our trip around that,” Cunningham said, “but she just needs a bit more time.”
Life After Love | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Cunningham arrived at the Gold Coast on sale morning, arriving at the complex just ten minutes before his $2.8 million purchase from Widden Stud.
He was delighted to secure the son of the G3 Proud Miss S. winner Humma Humma (Denman) who he will race with partners, having asked Maher who he thought the sale’s best colt was.
“We did have to go a bit higher than we thought but you have to go home with the horse you want, there is nothing worse than watching a horse win a big race who you wanted but stopped bidding on!”
“We did have to go a bit higher than we thought but you have to go home with the horse you want, there is nothing worse than watching a horse win a big race who you wanted but stopped bidding on!” - Phil Cunningham
The CEO of DCL Insurance, Cunningham has successfully raced horses in the UK since the early 1990s, doing well enough to justify purchasing his own stables; firstly, Albert House Stables and then Sefton Lodge.
Racing as Rebel Racing, he has 50 horses in work at Newmarket with Richard Spencer, also racing in the United States, Ireland and France.
He has always had a liking for Australian bloodlines, racing the G2 Coventry S. winner Rajasinghe (Ire); the English National Stud resident who he still owns and who is a son of Choisir.
Lot 489 - Snitzel x Humma Humma (colt) sold for $2,800,000 to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock on behalf of Phil Cunningham | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Cunningham is excited to be part of the Australian racing scene though he intends to stay small.
“I am going for quality over quantity here,” he said.
“I have runners nearly every day in England and I like to see them in action. It’s just not practical to keep getting up in the middle of the night to watch horses race in Australia!”
“It makes sense to have less horses in Australia but to have the right ones.”
“I am going for quality over quantity here (in Australia). It makes sense to have less horses in Australia but to have the right ones.” - Phil Cunningham
Cunningham was introduced to Ciaron Maher by his friend Peter Trainor who races with the stable the dual Group-winning import Future History (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) who contested the 2023 G1 Melbourne Cup. During this trip to Australia, he has spent time with Maher, visiting the Bong Bong complex by which he was most impressed.
Who will be Champion Sire?
Last year’s three most prolific stallions in regards to gross sales were, predictably, the superstar sires I Am Invincible, Snitzel and Zoustar.
I Am Invincible had 30 sons and daughters sell for a total of $19.95 million (an average of $665,000), Snitzel $17.755 million (34 sold, average $522,206) and Zoustar $15.605 million (33 sold, average $472,879) in 2024.
Fast forward a year and there is a great rivalry leading into the final day of Book 1.
After three days of selling Snitzel leads the way with a total of $17.095 million (22 sold, average $777,045).
Snitzel | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
I Am Invincible has $15.4 million worth of sales (25 sold, $616,000 average).
Zoustar meanwhile has the sixth highest total so far this year; $6.37 million (15 sold, $424,677 average).
However, Snitzel has only five yearlings to come on Friday, while I Am Invincible has 17 and Zoustar has 15. It's a battle worth following on the final day of Book 1!
Several buyers made their biggest-ever purchases
This Magic Millions Sale has been a milestone for many, including several buyers who have put their hand up for their highest-priced purchase ever.
Lindsay Park’s Ben, Will and JD Hayes put their hands up for Lot 397, a $700,000 Pinatubo (Ire) colt from the draft of Rosemont Stud. It may’ve surprised many that he is the most expensive purchase in Lindsay Park history, making the sale a milestone for the young trainers.
Lot 397 - Pinatubo (Ire) x Fiesta (colt) sold for $700,000 to Lindsay Park Racing | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
One which they took into their stride, JD admitting that “it was nerve-wracking but when you like a horse like him you know that he is going to sell well. We’d done our research and we were well organised.”
Lindsay Park Bloodstock Manager Josh Rix was delighted with the result, noting that “It is nice for the boys to be able to buy a horse with a stallion’s pedigree. Buying a colt by a first-season stallion always has an element of risk but so does every purchase and we have noted that those stallions often get the better mares.”
The three trainers were united in their admiration of the colt though JD admitted that they don’t always see exactly eye to eye. “We treat buying horses the same way as training; if we have differing opinions we get together and talk it through.”
Will, JD and Ben Hayes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
On the opening day, Western Australian trainer Luke Fernie took home the full brother to Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) for $625,000 - almost double his previous highest price. At last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale he spent $380,000 (his previous record buy) for a yet-to-be-named Savabeel filly.
John Sargent teamed with newcomer the Laguna Partnership to buy Lot 353, a $2.3 million full sister to In Secret (I Am Invincible).
The record breaking $2.8 million paid by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock on behalf of Rebel Racing for Lot 489, the Snitzel colt, again, this is the most Maher has put his hand up for at a yearling sale.
His previous top buy was the $2.5 million colt Railway Man (I Am Invincible) secured at this sale two years ago. He was a beaten odds-on favourite (having no favours out wide) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Gallery: Some of the biggest-ever purchases for several buyers, images courtesy of Magic Millions
Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (BAFNZ), on behalf of Jonathan Munz and partners for trainer Anthony Freedman, bid to $1.7 million to buy Lot 196 a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt which is the agent's biggest spend on a yearling.
The same for Bjorn Baker, who with Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA), picked up Lot 435 for $800,000, a son of I Am Invincible from the imported Listed winner Giza Goddess (USA) (Cairo Prince {USA}).
Rookie trainer Dominic Sutton, who went so close to Group 1 glory with Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth) in last year’s G1 Caulfield Guineas, partnered with McKeever Bloodstock for his biggest buy; Lot 464, a $600,000 I Am Invincible colt out of the dual Group 2 winner Haut Brion Her (Zoustar).
Segenhoe and Widden continue to excel
It has been a big few years for Segenhoe Stud, who at the 2023 Magic Millions achieved the best average of $564,000 and in 2024 the second highest of $550,500.
This outstanding run of success has continued over the first three days of this year’s sale with their $511,905 average currently the highest once again. It is quite some feat to maintain such figures over several seasons.
There have been two seven-figure results for Segenhoe; the $2.3 million full-sister to In Secret and the $1.15 million I Am Invincible colt out of Listed Morphettville Guineas winner Fiera Vista (Exceed And Excel).
Segenhoe team with Lot 353 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“We are very fortunate to have great clients with proper mares,” Segenhoe’s Peter O’Brien said.
“And in my humble opinion we have the best farm in Australia; it is just quality land with a variety of topography; rolling hills and river flats on the Hunter River; it makes rearing horses a very easy task.”
“We are very fortunate to have great clients with proper mares. And in my humble opinion we have the best farm (Segenhoe Stud) in Australia... it makes rearing horses a very easy task.” - Peter O'Brien
“The mares owned by clients and by Segenhoe are elite and they are going to the best stallions, that makes my life easy! And I cannot emphasise enough the importance of our team who put so much hard work in.”
Widden Stud meanwhile find themselves holding two records, in 2023 selling the highest-priced Magic Millions yearling filly and now, the highest selling colt.
The filly, who was purchased by Yulong Investments for $2.6 million, is Clean Energy (Zoustar), the unbeaten Listed Bill Carter S.-winning full sister to Sunlight raced by Yulong with Westerberg and Coolmore.
And this year they broke not only the colt record but the overall Magic Millions yearling record selling, for $2.8 million, the Snitzel x Humma Humma colt to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock.
Widden Stud staff with Lot 489 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Changing buyer trends
With a day’s Book 1 selling still to come there have already been several buyers with differing patterns to last year’s sale, plus multiple new players who have made a strong debut signing the ticket at Magic Millions.
New name Mulberry Racing have picked up four yearlings so far, topped by the $700,000 Home Affairs colt out of Jazz Song (Fastnet Rock). The business is owned by Sydneysider Mike Gregg of WiseTech who has a strong relationship with Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup; the duo also active at the 2024 Keeneland September Sale.
Resolute Bloodstock have now secured 12 yearlings for a total of $6,445,000 (two in partnership), adding a Dundeel (NZ) colt from Infinite Wonder (Ire) to the collection for $400,000 on Thursday.
Gallery: Some of the lots bought by newcomers, images courtesy of Magic Millions
Ciaron Maher has some catching up to do on Friday to equal his 2024 haul of 24 horses ($339,375 average, $8.145 million total); to date buying half as many horses but for a higher average of $455,000; a total of $5.46 million.
China Horse Club bought into 13 horses in total last year, spending with their partners $6.74 million. So far this week they have eight purchases for $4.34 million.
A couple of trainers are a bit quieter on the first three days of the sale. The Ryan and Alexiou Racing training partnership bought 11 horses last year, spending $3.54 million, and so far this year have signed for two horses, spending $360,000. John O’Shea was involved in the purchase of 11 yearlings in 2024, that group costing $2.905 million whilst this year he has bought four so far, spending $895,000. Gary Portelli bought eight last year and so far just the one in 2025.
Meanwhile Danny O’Brien Racing took home 10 horses this time last year: an average of $166,000 and $1.66 million in total, also purchasing one with Starblue Consultancy for $80,000. So far this week he has spent $460,000 on two yearlings and another one with Starblue for $150,000. Anthony Freedman is another trainer taking home less horses so far; involved last year in the purchase of 17 and so far this year, seven.
Successful pin-hookers Ohukia Lodge bought 10 last year but have not been in action so far this year.
Several stallions punched above their weight
Often at sales the spotlight is often on the standout lots and the expensive purchases, but there are always great results for breeders if they are able to find and utilise a less expensive stallion who can punch above their weight.
Tassort's top lot after three days of selling has been Lot 19 a filly out of The Seductress (Snitzel) who sold for $370,000 to the bid of Richard and Will Freedman which was 37x his stud fee of $10,000 (plus GST) in 2022. He has had eight sell for an average of $200,000.
Harry Angel (Ire) had an outstanding result when Lot 434, his colt out of Gina Lola (Not A Single Doubt) sold to KPW Bloodstock for $375,000 which was an outstanding 25x his stud fee of $15,000 (plus GST) in 2022. His four sold have averaged $256,250.
Gallery: Some of the lots which sold for excellent retun on investment, images courtesy of Magic Millions
Cambridge Stud’s Sword Of State, had a great result when lot 716, a lovely colt out of the Group-winning Makfi (GB) mare Needle And Thread (NZ) sold for $380,000 to Ridgmont/Bjorn Baker Racing/S & J Gosling/Clarke Bloodstock Pty Ltd (FBAA). This was an impressive 25.3x his stud fee of NZ$15,000 (plus GST). His five sold have achieved an average of $214,000.
Lot 20 is a daughter of Ardrossan out of Thee (NZ) (Savabeel) was a $150,000 purchase by Starblue Consultancy/Danny O’Brien Racing which was a great result being 25x his stud fee of NZ$6000 (plus GST).
Top buyers
| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/Kestrel Thoroughbreds | 18 | $383,056 | $1,050,000 | $6,895,000 |
| Ciaron Maher Bloodstock | 12 | $455,000 | $2,800,000 | $5,460,000 |
| Tom Magnier | 4 | $1,337,500 | $1,800,000 | $5,350,000 |
| David Ellis (BAFNZ)/Te Akau Racing | 17 | $298,529 | $625,000 | $5,075,000 |
| Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock | 12 | $378,750 | $620,000 | $4,545,000 |
| Resolute Bloodstock | 10 | $424,500 | $1,600,000 | $4,245,000 |
| China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock & Partners | 6 | $695,833 | $925,000 | $4,175,000 |
| KPW Bloodstock | 9 | $351,111 | $775,000 | $3,160,000 |
| James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership/Tony Fung Colts | 4 | $787,500 | $1,000,000 | $3,150,000 |
| McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) | 11 | $247,273 | $550,000 | $2,720,000 |
Vendor aggregate
| Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW | 35 | $389,143 | $1,700,000 | $13,620,000 |
| Segenhoe Stud, Aberdeen, NSW | 21 | $511,905 | $2,300,000 | $10,750,000 |
| Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 26 | $356,923 | $2,800,000 | $9,280,000 |
| Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW | 29 | $319,655 | $1,000,000 | $9,270,000 |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains, NSW | 23 | $356,522 | $1,600,000 | $8,200,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone, NSW | 22 | $330,227 | $625,000 | $7,265,000 |
| Yulong, Nagambie, Vic | 13 | $493,077 | $1,800,000 | $6,410,000 |
| Vinery Stud, Scone, NSW | 19 | $265,000 | $900,000 | $5,035,000 |
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 12 | $389,167 | $775,000 | $4,670,000 |
| Lime Country Thoroughbreds, Blandford, NSW | 10 | $368,000 | $750,000 | $3,680,000 |
Vendor average (3 or more sold)
| Segenhoe Stud, Aberdeen, NSW | 21 | $511,905 | $2,300,000 | $10,750,000 |
| Milburn Creek, Wildes Meadow, NSW | 6 | $498,333 | $1,700,000 | $2,990,000 |
| Yulong, Nagambie, Vic | 13 | $493,077 | $1,800,000 | $6,410,000 |
| Rosemont Stud, Gnarwarre, Vic | 6 | $408,333 | $900,000 | $2,450,000 |
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 12 | $389,167 | $775,000 | $4,670,000 |
| Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW | 35 | $389,143 | $1,700,000 | $13,620,000 |
| Lime Country Thoroughbreds, Blandford, NSW | 10 | $368,000 | $750,000 | $3,680,000 |
| Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 26 | $356,923 | $2,800,000 | $9,280,000 |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains, NSW | 23 | $356,522 | $1,600,000 | $8,200,000 |
| Kulani Park, Goulburn Weir, Vic | 3 | $346,667 | $520,000 | $1,040,000 |
Sire aggregate
| Snitzel | 22 | $777,045 | $2,800,000 | $17,095,000 |
| I Am Invincible | 25 | $616,000 | $2,300,000 | $15,400,000 |
| Home Affairs | 31 | $340,000 | $1,050,000 | $10,540,000 |
| Wootton Bassett | 16 | $481,875 | $1,700,000 | $7,710,000 |
| Stay Inside | 21 | $312,619 | $1,000,000 | $6,565,000 |
| Zoustar | 15 | $424,667 | $800,000 | $6,370,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 8 | $706,250 | $1,800,000 | $5,650,000 |
| Too Darn Hot | 14 | $292,857 | $650,000 | $4,100,000 |
| St Mark's Basilica | 17 | $236,471 | $700,000 | $4,020,000 |
| Farnan | 15 | $259,667 | $750,000 | $3,895,000 |
Sire average (3 or more sold)
| Snitzel | 22 | $777,045 | $2,800,000 | $17,095,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 8 | $706,250 | $1,800,000 | $5,650,000 |
| I Am Invincible | 25 | $616,000 | $2,300,000 | $15,400,000 |
| Extreme Choice | 7 | $510,714 | $925,000 | $3,575,000 |
| Wootton Bassett | 16 | $481,875 | $1,700,000 | $7,710,000 |
| Zoustar | 15 | $424,667 | $800,000 | $6,370,000 |
| Home Affairs | 31 | $340,000 | $1,050,000 | $10,540,000 |
| Stay Inside | 21 | $312,619 | $1,000,000 | $6,565,000 |
| Too Darn Hot | 14 | $292,857 | $650,000 | $4,100,000 |
| The Autumn Sun | 9 | $273,333 | $900,000 | $2,460,000 |
