Article images courtesy of Magic Millions and Western Racepix
Written by Richard Edmunds
With a quality catalogue, a proud honour roll of graduate success and a Western Australian racing industry in good health, expectations are high for the first Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale to take place at the new Middle Swan complex this week.
The 2020 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale will be held on Monday and Tuesday, with an excellent selection of 331 lots going through the ring throughout the two days.
“We’re very proud of the quality of catalogue we’ve put together for this year’s sale,” said Clint Donovan, bloodstock manager at Magic Millions.
Clint Donovan is very proud of the catalogue Magic Millions have put together for this year's sale
“It’s good on paper, and I’m lucky enough to be here at the brand-new complex they’ve got here for this year’s sale, and the horses themselves are all looking the part as well.
“The level of interest from buyers has been fantastic in the lead-up to the sale. There have been some very big increases in WestBred bonuses, and prizemoney in Western Australia is strong at the moment in general, so the local buyers are very excited – as they have every right to be.
There have been some very big increases in WestBred bonuses, and prizemoney in Western Australia is strong at the moment." - Clint Donovan
“We’ve also got a large number of eastern staters who have come over as well, so the signs are all very good for a strong buying bench.”
The sale’s list of graduates speaks for itself. Over the last decade, it has produced 39 individual Group winners – eight of them at Group 1 level.
A large number of inspections are coming from the eastern states, including Michael Wallace (left)
That elite group includes Caulfield Cup hero Boom Time (Flying Spur) and six-time Group 1 winner Black Heart Bart (Blackfriars), while Luckygray (Bradbury’s Luck), Playing God (Blackfriars), Moment of Change (Barely A Moment), Great Shot (Magnus) and Silent Sedition (War Chant) all cost less than $50,000 and earned more than $1 million in their Group 1 winning careers.
Other notables include Valour Road (Frost Giant {USA}), who was bought for $60,000 at the 2017 sale and has earned $987,607 with two Group 2 victories, and the G3 WA Sires’ Produce S. winner and half-million-dollar earner Lordhelpmerun (Playing God), who cost just $25,000 at the 2017 sale.
Caulfield Cup here Boom Time is a Magic Millions Perth graduate
“The graduates of this sale have been absolutely incredible,” Donovan said. “The returns from the horses bought out of the sale, versus the average sale prices, have been massive. Year on year, the record is simply outstanding.
“The Western Australian horses had a huge spring, winning Group 1 races with Black Heart Bart and Gatting, which has also helped to give this year’s sale a big lift.
“I think the crop going through the ring this week look like they’ll be well capable of continuing the sale’s proud tradition.”
