Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
The 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale will be enhanced with an International Section, allowing broodmares and race fillies who aren’t located in Australia to be sold remotely with all the buying bench power of the sale.
Concept is obvious
“I think the international component is a bit of a no-brainer. It opens up opportunities for horses all over the world, not all can be here when we go to market. We believe it is Australia’s biggest commercial market, and whether they come from New Zealand or further abroad it is exciting. We have already had significant support already,” said Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch.
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“It is a way forward to get that international component, and we have seen via Espiona and Imperatriz, being sold virtually or in absentia, that Magic Millions is the place. It will never take away from the real thing and seeing horses in the flesh in the ring, but not all circumstances can mean that is possible. There can be reasons why mares can’t get there, whether they are in work or other reasons, but being able to provide this enables the best for them at a particular time.”
"It is a way forward to get that international component, and we have seen via Espiona and Imperatriz, being sold virtually or in absentia, that Magic Millions is the place." - Barry Bowditch
The concept of virtual sales began with the COVID pandemic when people couldn't travel but horse sales still continued as the industry coped with the restrictions imposed by various governments.
“We have become very good at providing videos and photos, which has helped buyer confidence, especially since COVID-19. But to give ourselves the best opportunity, we need to make all information available. In order to help people make money as well as ensuring buyers have confidence. Both run hand in and in order for the process to work.”
Te Akau continues support
The International section is already being supported by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis, who sold Imperatriz last year for $6.6 million. The syndication outfit will present three race fillies led by Group 1 winner Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}), and her stablemates stakes-placed Millefiori (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Group 2 winner Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci).
“Following the record result with Imperatriz at last year's National Broodmare Sale, we had no hesitation in once again supporting the virtual platform offered via the international section of this world-class sale,” Te Akau's David Ellis CNZM said.
David Ellis | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"We had no hesitation in once again supporting the virtual platform offered via the international section of this world-class sale." - David Ellis
“We're proud to present a select group of elite mares this year, including Group 1 winner Campionessa, Group 2 winner Wolverine, and Millefiori — a stakes performed half-sister to the exciting Group 1 winner Gringotts. These are mares with outstanding race records, pedigrees and potential, and we're confident they’ll appeal to both domestic and international breeders via this proven platform.”
Campionessa has won 11 of her 41 starts and over NZ$1.2 million, with wins in the G1 Zabeel Classic and Australia's G2 Peter Young Stakes. A half-sister to Listed winners Leedox (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) and Tennessee (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), Campionessa is out of city winner Bella Carolina (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}).
Entries almost closed
Another quality Kiwi mare who will be in the catalogue is Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard), trained by Ben and Ryan Foote, who has won 10 of her 35 starts, including the G3 Concorde Sprint twice and the Listed Waikato Sprint Handicap twice. She is multiple times Group 1-placed, including a second to Imperatriz in the G1 Waikato Sprint.
Entries for the National Sale series are closing soon and vendors should get in touch with Magic Millions quickly to ensure they are in the print version of the catalogue.
