Cover image of Magic Millions
The race fillies section starts the National Broodmare Sale on Monday, two months after originally scheduled, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch admits staging the Sale, amid a host of ever-changing government protocols and border closures, has been the most challenging task in his time with the sales company, and there will be a sense of relief when Lot 1 steps into the ring at 2pm AEST on Monday.
"It’s been a long road, there have been many obstacles along the way, but to be here, having the horses on the ground and as many people present under the circumstances as we possibly can, it’s a good result," Bowditch said.
"There's no rule book for a pandemic, obviously. Dealing with this, in terms of working through the government guidelines, restrictions and ensuring you are following protocols properly, while giving your clients the best opportunity possible, has been the goal we have been trying to achieve by having this sale live."
"It’s been a long road to get here, there have been many obstacles along the way, but to be here is a good result." - Barry Bowditch
The old maxim of when it 'rains it pours' has applied quite literally on the Gold Coast during the traditional inspection period in the lead-up to the Broodmare Sale and 100mm of rain fell in the 24 hours to 9am on Sunday.
However, the nature of the Sale, with a significant number of mares located off the complex due to early foaling dates, has meant many buyers have been conducting on-farm inspections over the past week or so.
Clouds are set to clear by the time the hammer falls on Monday, and Bowditch feels that sets the scene for a Sale which will further showcase the determination of an industry that has continued to conduct its business, despite the significant uncertainty in the broader economy.
James Harron inspecting in the rain, 100mm fell in 24 hours on the Gold Coast | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"As an industry, we've had to band together and do what we can to work through any obstacle that has been put in front of us. We have worked out a way of getting through that, which has been a fantastic result," he said.
"The weather the last couple of days has made it difficult to get a lot of inspections done, but in saying that, the buyers have done a lot of work in the lead up to the Sale.
"The vendors have given us all the information they need with technology on the mares that are not here on complex that are close to foaling.
"All is in order, racing has continued on, sales have continued on, so there is no reason why people can't seize an opportunity to be part of the market over the next seven days or so."
Realistic market creates opportunity
While pre-Sale optimism is typical from sales companies, Bowditch knows the market will be tempered by events that have evolved globally over the past six months. He does take heart from the overall state of the Australian thoroughbred industry and the record-breaking results from early in the year.
Bowditch takes heart from the overall state of the Australian thoroughbred industry leading into the National Sale | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"Vendors have got no question that they will need to be realistic, and with that comes great opportunity for buyers. The yearling sales this year, pre-COVID, were fantastic. The money went back into the breeders' pockets. They can take an opportunity to get involved in these markets and buy quality stock at a price that long-term will end up as great value."
While the National series also includes the Weanling Sale, to be conducted this Wednesday and Thursday, and the Yearling Sale and Racehorse Sale, to be held on August 3 and 4, the Broodmare Sale will attract much of the attention, with several highlight lots.
Sunlight to shine
Few Magic Millions graduates have made the impression on the track that the triple Group 1 -winning sprinter Sunlight (Zoustar) has had.
Purchased on the Gold Coast for $300,000 by Aquis, McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Blue Sky Bloodstock, she won a G1 Coolmore Stud S., G1 William Reid S. and G1 Newmarket H. as well as a R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic in a brilliant 24-start career which yielded over $6.5 million in prizemoney.
The top of the market has stayed relatively strong across other breeding stock and yearling sales in the COVID-era, and with that in mind, Sunlight could be set to return a big result.
Widden's Antony Thompson with star mare Sunlight ahead of her sale at the Gold Coast | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"She's arguably the best race filly off the track ever to go to market in Australia. We are excited to have her and anyone who lays eyes on her, can't fault her. She is one of the most outstanding physicals you would ever see. We look forward to late afternoon tomorrow and having her go through the ring," he said.
"She's arguably the best race filly off the track ever to go to market in Australia." - Barry Bowditch
Also slated for sale on Monday are G1 Australian Oaks winner Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) and Group 1-winning mare Invincibella (I Am Invincible).
"The three mares that have been heavily promoted in Sunlight, Unforgotten and Invincibella are all going through unreserved. Those guys playing at that end of the market, I'd like to think they would take that opportunity to get involved," Bowditch said.
While seven-figure results will capture the headlines, Bowditch is very much cognisant of the importance of the entire National Sales series in continuing the flow of money through the industry via trading. That's why he has slated the clearance rate as the most important metric across the different sales to determine the pulse of the marketplace on the Gold Coast.
"There is a positive vibe on the complex at the moment and people are happy to be here, which is great. We are looking to get a result and get a lot of these horses sold, and I think that's the barometer we are looking for," he said.
"We are hoping to get good strong money for a lot of product, but we just want to be able to sell these mares, weanlings and yearlings and clear as many of them as we possibly can."
