Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
The opening session of the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale grossed $3,742,500 compared to $3,880,000 last year with 101 horses sold this year at a clearance rate of 64.7 percent, down from the same point last year which had a clearance of 67 per cent with 130 yearlings sold on Day 1.
The median price of $26,000 was a drop on last year’s median price of $28,000, while the average $37,054 was up on 2024’s average of $33,570.
The number of six figure lots jumped up to eight which was a strong result at the top end, compared to the 2024 sale when only two lots make six figures on the first day, and five overall.
The top three sales on Day 1 were Lot 43, a Capitalist colt who made $150,000 and two Spirit Of Boom fillies, Lots 56 and 93, made $140,000 each. Last year's sale topper made $230,000 on the second day.
The leading buyer by gross on Day 1 was Williams Racing/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) who purchased five lots for $317,000 and they were also the leading buyers by number of horses purchased.
Eureka Stud topped the vendors list on Day 1 with 11 yearlings sold for $456,000, while Glenlogan Park was the leading vendor by average (2 or more sold) with three yearlings sold at an average of $100,000.
Spirit Of Boom leads the sires by gross at the end of Day 1 with 10 sales for an aggregate of $837,500, and he also leads by average (2 or more sold) at $83,750.
The top end is strong, as six-figure yearlings stream in
There have been eight individual lots to reach six figures on Day 1 of the 2025 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale, highlighting strong demand at the top end of the market, even as other segments face more selective buying.
Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch acknowledged the contrasting dynamics across the catalogue, but struck an overall positive tone:
“It is a very selective market. The gross is solid, the clearance isn’t too far off where it was last year, the top end looks strong enough, and considering the delay and the significant Queensland weather events, I would call the results acceptable at this stage.”
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“There are lots of people bidding up to a certain point. The right product sold well.
“It’s very encouraging that at the same stage last year, two lots sold over $100,000, compared to this year with eight.”
Bowditch was also optimistic about what’s to come: “The general chat around the complex is that we may be able to build on today, and tomorrow may be a good day, as a few people have longer lists than they did today.
“You’d have to be confident that we’ll hit double digits, twice as many as last year.”
“You’d have to be confident that we’ll hit double digits, twice as many as last year.” - Barry Bowditch
Bowditch also conceded “The significant issue in the market today was the pass in rate. Obviously we want to lift that tomorrow well into the 70's and I think that is possible.
The eight six-figure lots were a mix of both colts and fillies, representing a broad spread of stallions, including:
Spirit of Boom (4 lots), Capitalist, So You Think (NZ), Brave Smash (Jpn), and Better Than Ready
A diverse range of vendors was also in the spotlight, with seven consignors hitting the mark. Glenlogan Park led the way with two, while KBL Thoroughbreds, Eureka Stud, Daandine Stud, Warrandale Stud, Yarramalong Park and Tullyard all recorded headline results.
Capitalist colt on top at $150,000
The top lot of Day 1 was Lot 43, a striking Capitalist colt sold by KBL Thoroughbreds for $150,000. The successful bidders were Trilogy Racing and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA).
Jason Stenning from Trilogy Racing was very happy with the purchase, "We felt he was one of the more precocious looking horses in the sale. He is blessed with good size, a big strong hip and shoulder and an active twitchy walk.
"A very attractive horse and his sire Capitalist can get fast strong progeny that are ideal for 2-year-old racing. We couldn't physically make it to the sale, so we entrusted our good friend Suman Hedge to manage the inspection and purchase for us."
“It was an outstanding result, and he deserved it,” said KBL Thoroughbreds’ Kandice Pritchard.
“Everything went well. He was a standout colt and had an excellent attitude.”
When asked about the type of colt he is, Pritchard was quick to highlight his natural athleticism and temperament:
Kandice Pritchard | Image courtesy of KBL Thoroughbreds
“He has a good physique, a real jump-and-run horse, and was very forward.
“The breed can be tough, but he has a good brain. He’s a good, tough horse that’s had an uneventful preparation. In the last couple of weeks, he’s flourished at the right time and gone from zero to a hundred perfectly.
“He (Lot 43) has a good physique, a real jump-and-run horse, and was very forward.” - Kandice Pritchard
“He gets the most improved award and took every step forward when he needed to.”
Summing up the result, Pritchard added proudly:
“He deserved it, lovely type, he’s a ripper. I loved him.”
Lot 43 is the second living foal of the talented Collate mare Sold For Song, a four-time winner who claimed both the Listed Daybreak Lover Stakes and the Listed Gold Edition Plate.
This colt hails from a family that includes standout New Zealand gallopers El Chico (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), a winner of an incredible 24 races, including seven at stakes level and The Beekeeper (NZ) (Keeper), who was successful at Listed level in the Southland Guineas.
Lot 43 - Capitalist x Sold For Song (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Since producing this colt, Sold For Song has foaled a colt by Spirit Of Boom last November and was subsequently served again last spring by Eureka Stud’s star stallion.
Spirit of Boom as popular as ever
Spirit of Boom has long cemented his reputation as a top-class sire of precocious, talented juveniles who also train on with great success. So far this season, he has already produced the winners of 15 2-year-old races, and it’s not just about quantity, it’s about quality too.
The prolific Queensland stallion has sired two individual stakes-winning juveniles this season, Shining Smile, a consecutive three-time stakes winner in Melbourne, and Gin Spirit, who took out the Listed Cinderella Stakes in slashing style.
With 22 yearlings catalogued in the 2025 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale, his progeny made a strong impact on Day 1. Of the 11 offered, 10 sold for a total of $837,500, averaging an impressive $83,750. Just one were passed in; a strong clearance rate and a testament to his ongoing appeal.
Spirit Of Boom | Standing at Eureka Stud
As expected, Queensland-based trainers and owners were heavily involved, with eight of the 10 sold destined to remain in the Sunshine State, further proof of the enduring local loyalty and fondness of Eureka Stud’s outstanding flagship stallion.
Four Spirit of Boom yearlings broke through the six-figure mark on Day 1:
Lot 56, a filly out of stakes-winning Sweet Dolly (Real Saga), sold for $140,000 to Gollan Racing and John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA).
Lot 93, a filly out of Williams Bay (Capitalist), was also knocked down for $140,000 to Craig Ramsay.
Lot 189, a colt from six-time-winning Dylan Thomas (Ire) mare Dylan's Deeva, fetched $120,000, selling to Williams Racing and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA).
Lot 160, a colt from the family of Tempted (Street Boss {USA}), was secured by Ben Ahrens Racing. Tempted gave the pedigree a timely boost with her placing in the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes just last weekend.
Gallery: Four Spirit of Boom yearlings broke through the six-figure mark on Day 1, images courtesy of Magic Millions
Hedge rides Group 1 high into Gold Coast buying spree
Respected bloodstock agent Suman Hedge still rode the high after playing a pivotal role in purchasing Schwarz (Zoustar). He delivered his connections a breakthrough Group 1 victory in the William Reid Stakes over the weekend. Schwarz was acquired in partnership with the Rosemont-Victorian Alliance and David Redvers.
“It was a goal with the whole group to produce a Group 1-winning colt after our fair share of disappointments. I feel relieved to see the colt do the job, and I am naturally very happy for the Rosemont-Victorian Alliance,” Hedge said.
“He has always been a well-regarded horse and won had won multiple Group races, but to win the Group 1, that takes him to a different level as a stallion proposition.”
Schwarz | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Back to business at the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale, Hedge teamed up with Grant and Alana Williams of Williams Racing to become Day 1’s leading purchaser by aggregate and number of lots, signing for five yearlings for a combined $317,000, averaging $63,400 per yearling.
When asked about their approach, Hedge explained:
“We came to the sale to identify the best types or physicals around, and we have ended up with various stallions and price points, ranging from $12,000 to $120,000.”
Their purchases included a standout Spirit of Boom colt, alongside fillies by Brave Smash (Jpn), North Pacific, Wild Ruler, and Dubious.
“We were pleasantly surprised as we found quite a few we liked, some nice horses that were reasonably priced compared to the other sales.”
“We were pleasantly surprised as we found quite a few we liked, some nice horses that were reasonably priced compared to the other sales.” - Suman Hedge
Hedge also spoke about his ongoing collaboration with the Williams team, which has gone from strength to strength over recent years.
“I’ve been buying horses for Grant and Alana for about three or four years, and it’s been tremendous. They are incredibly loyal and very ambitious, and they have enabled me to compete.
Suman Hedge | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“They want to come to the eastern states and buy a range of horses by different stallions.
“They’re brave and bold and back their judgement. I work with them and Michael Grant, who advises them, and we work together.
"We look at all the horses independently, then come together and share our thoughts. Now that I’m familiar with the types they like and what suits their training style, the process is much easier and going very well.”
Successful pinhook makes it 'a good day at the office’
Spirit Of Boom has been on fire both on the track and in the sales ring, and his precocious daughter, Lot 93, proved no exception. She was knocked down for $140,000 to bloodstock agent Craig Ramsay, who’s been particularly active this sales season, purchasing on behalf of several clients, including several from South Africa.
The result was a fantastic return for vendors Di Hannel and Rob Wise. The pair had initially picked up the filly for just $30,000 from the Burnewang North Pastoral draft at the 2024 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale, netting them a tidy profit of $110,000.
Craig Ramsay | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
This filly is the first foal out of Williams Bay (Capitalist) who was a winner over 900 metres, and is a full sister to the Group 3-placed Kiko and a half-sister to Azul Coast (USA) (Super Saver {USA}), who was a Group 3 and Listed winner in America.
Rob Wise shared some background on the successful venture.
“It was a good day at the office. Di and I bought a few weanlings in partnership from the Great Southern Weanling Sale, and we didn’t want to spend heaps,” she said.
“We loved this filly, and it kind of all worked out. She was initially passed in, but we were able to negotiate with Cathy Hains and get her for $30,000.
“We loved this filly (Lot 93), and it kind of all worked out. She was initially passed in, but we were able to negotiate with Cathy Hains and get her for $30,000.” - Rob Wise
“It’s the second horse we’ve purchased from them (Burnewang North Pastoral), and we love them. They’re so well-reared, well-handled, and easy to pinhook as weanlings because they’re so well-educated.”
When asked to describe the type of filly she is, Wise said:
“She’s a lovely, strong, forward filly, nice and precocious. A typical Spirit Of Boom. I also see a bit of Capitalist in her, and I like that nick.
“She’s (Lot 93) a lovely, strong, forward filly, nice and precocious. A typical Spirit Of Boom. I also see a bit of Capitalist in her, and I like that nick.” - Rob Wise
“You’d think she’ll be up and running early.”
Wise also credited the Ramsays’ interest in making the result possible: “We were lucky that Craig and Tammy Ramsay came and looked at her on the farm last week as they couldn’t make the sales. They must have liked what they saw.”
As for how the rest of their weanling purchases have performed, Wise gave a quick update, “We had a Frosted that we bought for $5,000 and sold for $20,000. We’ve got a nice Rebel Dane colt out of Sally’s Day who cut his foot and had to be withdrawn from Classic, so he’ll head to the National Sale. His half-brother is The Little General, and he ran fourth in The Kirkham on debut.”
All signs point to a successful pin-hooking partnership for Hanel and Wise; hopefully, the trend continues. We might catch up again with a bit more luck, perhaps after the Rebel Dane colt steps into the ring.
Top Lots Day 1 Magic Millions March
| 43 | Capitalist | Sold for Song | B. | C | KBL Thoroughbreds, Beaudesert, Qld (As Agent) | Trilogy Racing/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) | NSW | $ 150,000 |
| 56 | Spirit of Boom | Sweet Dolly | B. | F | Daandine Stud, Goomburra, Qld | Gollan Racing/John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) | QLD | $ 140,000 |
| 93 | Spirit of Boom | Williams Bay | B. or Br. | F | Warrandale Stud, Biddadabba, Qld (As Agent) | Craig Ramsay | SOUTH AFRICA | $ 140,000 |
| 189 | Spirit of Boom | Dylan's Deeva | B. or Br. | C | Glenlogan Park, Innisplain, Qld | Williams Racing/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) | WA | $ 120,000 |
| 49 | Brave Smash (Jpn) | Splendora | B. or Br. | F | Glenlogan Park, Innisplain, Qld | Williams Racing/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) | WA | $ 110,000 |
| 54 | Better Than Ready | Summer Glen | Br. | C | Yarramalong Park, Kalbar, Qld | Proven Thoroughbreds/Matt Hoysted Racing | NSW | $ 100,000 |
| 107 | So You Think (NZ) | Alcudia | B. or Br. | F | Tullyard, Boodua, Qld (As Agent) | Ashtin James | SA | $ 100,000 |
| 160 | Spirit of Boom | Chloe's Comet | B. | C | Eureka Stud, Cambooya, Qld (As Agent for T R & R A Alexander) | Ben Ahrens Racing | QLD | $ 100,000 |
| 14 | Spirit of Boom | Rosa's Charm | B. | C | Roona Lodge, Warwick, Qld | Clinton Taylor Racing | QLD | $ 90,000 |
| 170 | Aclaim (Ire) | Corsini | B. | F | Lucas Bloodstock, Croftby, Qld (As Agent) | Vandyke Racing | QLD | $ 90,000 |
Buyers by Gross
| Williams Racing/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) | 5 | $ 63,400 | $ 12,000 | $ 120,000 | $ 317,000 |
| Trilogy Racing/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) | 1 | $ 150,000 | $ 150,000 | $ 150,000 | $ 150,000 |
| Clinton Taylor Racing | 3 | $ 48,667 | $ 10,000 | $ 90,000 | $ 146,000 |
| Kelly Schweida Racing | 3 | $ 48,333 | $ 10,000 | $ 80,000 | $ 145,000 |
| Craig Ramsay | 1 | $ 140,000 | $ 140,000 | $ 140,000 | $ 140,000 |
| Gollan Racing/John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) | 1 | $ 140,000 | $ 140,000 | $ 140,000 | $ 140,000 |
| Vandyke Racing | 2 | $ 62,000 | $ 34,000 | $ 90,000 | $ 124,000 |
| Tom Hedley | 2 | $ 55,000 | $ 40,000 | $ 70,000 | $ 110,000 |
| Ashtin James | 1 | $ 100,000 | $ 100,000 | $ 100,000 | $ 100,000 |
| Ben Ahrens Racing | 1 | $ 100,000 | $ 100,000 | $ 100,000 | $ 100,000 |
Buyers by Average (2 or more bought)
| Williams Racing/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) | 5 | $ 63,400 | $ 12,000 | $ 120,000 | $ 317,000 |
| Vandyke Racing | 2 | $ 62,000 | $ 34,000 | $ 90,000 | $ 124,000 |
| Tom Hedley | 2 | $ 55,000 | $ 40,000 | $ 70,000 | $ 110,000 |
| Clinton Taylor Racing | 3 | $ 48,667 | $ 10,000 | $ 90,000 | $ 146,000 |
| Kelly Schweida Racing | 3 | $ 48,333 | $ 10,000 | $ 80,000 | $ 145,000 |
| Munce Racing Pty Ltd | 2 | $ 38,000 | $ 26,000 | $ 50,000 | $ 76,000 |
| Jack Bruce Racing/Clarke Bloodstock Pty Ltd (FBAA) | 2 | $ 35,500 | $ 35,000 | $ 36,000 | $ 71,000 |
| Bloodstock Solutions | 2 | $ 32,500 | $ 25,000 | $ 40,000 | $ 65,000 |
| Dwyer Thoroughbred Racing Pty Ltd | 2 | $ 28,750 | $ 20,000 | $ 37,500 | $ 57,500 |
| Beck Racing Pty Ltd | 2 | $ 27,500 | $ 25,000 | $ 30,000 | $ 55,000 |
Vendors by Gross
| Eureka Stud, Cambooya, Qld | 11 | 3 | 5 | $ 41,455 | $ 7,500 | $ 100,000 | $ 456,000 |
| Glenlogan Park, Innisplain, Qld | 3 | 1 | 0 | $ 100,000 | $ 70,000 | $ 120,000 | $ 300,000 |
| Lyndhurst Stud Farm, Warwick, Qld | 7 | 5 | 6 | $ 41,071 | $ 12,500 | $ 75,000 | $ 287,500 |
| Lucas Bloodstock, Croftby, Qld | 6 | 1 | 1 | $ 46,917 | $ 10,000 | $ 90,000 | $ 281,500 |
| KBL Thoroughbreds, Beaudesert, Qld | 5 | 2 | 1 | $ 48,900 | $ 7,000 | $ 150,000 | $ 244,500 |
| Warrandale Stud, Biddadabba, Qld | 6 | 1 | 0 | $ 39,667 | $ 10,000 | $ 140,000 | $ 238,000 |
| Kenmore Lodge, Wyreema, Qld | 7 | 5 | 0 | $ 30,286 | $ 10,000 | $ 80,000 | $ 212,000 |
| Yarramalong Park, Kalbar, Qld | 4 | 0 | 1 | $ 43,750 | $ 12,000 | $ 100,000 | $ 175,000 |
| Tullyard, Boodua, Qld | 5 | 0 | 2 | $ 33,000 | $ 10,000 | $ 100,000 | $ 165,000 |
| Oaklands Stud, Umbiram, Qld | 6 | 2 | 1 | $ 26,583 | $ 10,000 | $ 45,000 | $ 159,500 |
Vendors by Average (2 or more sold)
| Glenlogan Park, Innisplain, Qld | 3 | 1 | 0 | $ 100,000 | $ 70,000 | $ 120,000 | $ 300,000 |
| KBL Thoroughbreds, Beaudesert, Qld | 5 | 2 | 1 | $ 48,900 | $ 7,000 | $ 150,000 | $ 244,500 |
| DTT Thoroughbreds, Kalbar, Qld | 2 | 1 | 1 | $ 48,000 | $ 46,000 | $ 50,000 | $ 96,000 |
| Lucas Bloodstock, Croftby, Qld | 6 | 1 | 1 | $ 46,917 | $ 10,000 | $ 90,000 | $ 281,500 |
| Yarramalong Park, Kalbar, Qld | 4 | 0 | 1 | $ 43,750 | $ 12,000 | $ 100,000 | $ 175,000 |
| Eureka Stud, Cambooya, Qld | 11 | 3 | 5 | $ 41,455 | $ 7,500 | $ 100,000 | $ 456,000 |
| Lyndhurst Stud Farm, Warwick, Qld | 7 | 5 | 6 | $ 41,071 | $ 12,500 | $ 75,000 | $ 287,500 |
| Warrandale Stud, Biddadabba, Qld | 6 | 1 | 0 | $ 39,667 | $ 10,000 | $ 140,000 | $ 238,000 |
| Tipuana Farms, Mount Alford, Qld | 3 | 0 | 3 | $ 38,667 | $ 16,000 | $ 65,000 | $ 116,000 |
| Raheen Stud, Warwick, Qld | 2 | 1 | 4 | $ 33,500 | $ 12,000 | $ 55,000 | $ 67,000 |
Sires by Gross
| Spirit of Boom (AUS) | 10 | 5 | 1 | $ 83,750 | $ 20,000 | $ 140,000 | $ 837,500 |
| Better Than Ready (AUS) | 7 | 2 | 5 | $ 43,571 | $ 12,000 | $ 100,000 | $ 305,000 |
| Jonker (AUS) | 11 | 1 | 3 | $ 21,909 | $ 10,000 | $ 46,000 | $ 241,000 |
| Barbaric (AUS) | 5 | 2 | 3 | $ 46,000 | $ 12,500 | $ 75,000 | $ 230,000 |
| Brave Smash (JPN) | 5 | 1 | 0 | $ 44,800 | $ 16,000 | $ 110,000 | $ 224,000 |
| Encryption (AUS) | 6 | 2 | 6 | $ 34,083 | $ 10,000 | $ 70,000 | $ 204,500 |
| Aclaim (IRE) | 4 | 1 | 1 | $ 45,375 | $ 21,000 | $ 90,000 | $ 181,500 |
| Capitalist (AUS) | 1 | 0 | 0 | $ 150,000 | $ 150,000 | $ 150,000 | $ 150,000 |
| Dubious (AUS) | 8 | 1 | 3 | $ 17,250 | $ 7,000 | $ 40,000 | $ 138,000 |
| Glenfiddich (AUS) | 3 | 2 | 3 | $ 43,000 | $ 10,000 | $ 75,000 | $ 129,000 |
Sires by Average (2 or more sold)
| Spirit of Boom | 9 | 5 | 2 | $ 89,167 | $ 20,000 | $ 140,000 | $ 802,500 |
| Barbaric | 5 | 2 | 3 | $ 46,000 | $ 12,500 | $ 75,000 | $ 230,000 |
| Aclaim (Ire) | 4 | 1 | 1 | $ 45,375 | $ 21,000 | $ 90,000 | $ 181,500 |
| Better Than Ready | 6 | 2 | 6 | $ 45,000 | $ 12,000 | $ 100,000 | $ 270,000 |
| Farnan | 2 | 0 | 0 | $ 45,000 | $ 20,000 | $ 70,000 | $ 90,000 |
| Brave Smash (Jpn) | 5 | 1 | 0 | $ 44,800 | $ 16,000 | $ 110,000 | $ 224,000 |
| Glenfiddich | 3 | 2 | 3 | $ 43,000 | $ 10,000 | $ 75,000 | $ 129,000 |
| Encryption | 6 | 2 | 6 | $ 34,083 | $ 10,000 | $ 70,000 | $ 204,500 |
| Dracarys | 3 | 1 | 0 | $ 30,333 | $ 20,000 | $ 45,000 | $ 91,000 |
| North Pacific | 3 | 0 | 1 | $ 29,667 | $ 10,000 | $ 55,000 | $ 89,000 |
