Magic Millions hasn't just modelled its new $10 million facility near Perth on its Gold Coast base in terms of the stabling and auction auditorium, but also with its holiday-like location in the beautiful Swan Valley region.
The Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale is wildly popular with buyers, with the beaches, first class accommodation and nightlife providing ample opportunity for entertainment away from the sales and quality horse flesh.
When the redevelopment of Belmont Racecourse forced Magic Millions to move, a four hectare site in the historic Swan Valley, just 25 minutes outside of Perth, was chosen.
Part of the new Magic Millions complex
"It is close to Perth but it is also a place where there is a lot of resorts, vineyards and restaurants," Magic Millions WA manager David Houston said.
"The Swan Valley is an iconic place. It's famous for food and wine and it's a great place to come and visit. We are right between two wineries, and a stone's throw away there are many more. You go for a drive along some lovely winding roads and find any number of eateries, breweries, tea houses and the Vines Resort & Country Club is close by.
"We are a long way from the east coast and we need to showcase the best our beautiful state has to offer." - Magic Millions WA manager, David Houston
"This is where people from Perth love to come on the weekends and I think interstate visitors will love it just as much. We are a long way from the east coast and we need to showcase the best our beautiful state has to offer. When people come here it is a big effort and what we have always tried to showcase our city, but the Swan Valley will become known as somewhere people not only want to come for the sales, but stick around for a holiday as well."
A work in progress
Visitors to this year's Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, which starts on Monday, will find stage 1 of the facility complete, with 312 stables spread over 13 barns.
Each of the 24-horse barns was purpose built in Poland and shipped to Australia.
"There is room for further development when it is required." - David Houston
"There is room for further development when it is required," Houston said. "It is a similar lay-out to Gold Coast as well, with barns set side-by-side, with horses able to parade down between them.
Stage 2 of the development will begin the moment horses and their handlers leave the facility on Wednesday and ahead of the Perth Winter Thoroughbred & Racehorse Sale in June.
A Gold Coast-style auditorium and administration building will be added, creating a facility Houston predicted would be "the best sale yard complex in Australia" when completed.
"It is a work in progress but it looks fantastic out there." - David Houston
"It is a work in progress but it looks fantastic out there," he said. "There has been a lot of positive comments. People can see that it is a work in progress but we are going to be able to provide something the industry here can be proud of."
A spacious marquee will house the auction for the first yearling sale away from Belmont in 45 years.
"We aren't aiming to be pretentious, we just want to create an enjoyable atmosphere and they will love it," Houston said. "People will have a great experience. People will leave with a smile on their face."
Tough, resilient, durable
Of course, as fun as Swan Valley sounds, the point is finding and buying a horse and Houston believes there are plenty of good ones at the right price among the 310 catalogued lots scheduled for sale over two days.
"You can find a quality racehorse here that are tough, durable and competitive – that's our trademark – and that's what is on offer here." - David Houston
"The sale is popular with our local participants. buying horses that qualify for the the WestBred bonus. They can race for more than $80,000 on a Saturday, and that's just an average race. There are locals that really specialise in buying out of this sale, they know the product but I think the rest of Australia and international buyers are starting to realise they can buy a horse here that can go away and win a race elsewhere."
The Western Australian breed is known for its tough, resilient nature, with horses like Scenic Blast (Scenic {Ire}), an $85,000 buy at the 2006 Perth sale, and Black Heart Bart (Blackfriars), a $20,000 bargain in 2012, shining examples.
"They have some class too, our horses seem to be going east and competing well," Houston said. "You can find a quality racehorse here that is tough, durable and competitive – that's our trademark – and that's what is on offer here."
The team at Western Breeders Alliance all set up and ready to go
