$4.2 million Sunlight highlights Coolmore's spending spree

15 min read
Coolmore has broken records at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and redoubled its commitment to its unbeaten Triple Crown winner Justify (USA), spending $7.5 million on three mares, including an unprecedented Gold Coast amount of $4.2 million for triple Group 1 winner Sunlight (Zoustar).

Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

At A Glance

>> Sunlight continued her love for the Gold Coast, securing the highest-ever price for a filly or mare off the track in Australia at $4.2 million

>> Coolmore principal Tom Magnier also spent $2 million on Group 2 winner Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt) and $1.3 million on Group 1 winner Invincibella (I Am Invincible), both of which will also head to Justify

>> G1 Australian Oaks winner Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) was the fourth million-dollar purchase of the session, selling to Yulong Investments for $2.75 million

>> Those highlight results set a record-breaking average of $207,763 for Day 1 of the Sale, up from $166,987 last year when the Sale was held in its traditional late May timeslot

>> The sale median stands at $72,500, up from $70,000 in 2019

>> Overall clearance of 82.86 per cent was also up from the first day of the Sale last year, when it was 81 per cent

>> Sale gross across 116 purchases was $24.1 million, around $4 million less than last year, but with 52 fewer sales

Coolmore fights for Sunlight

Sunlight set the National Broodmare Sale alight when she hit the ring at around 4:40pm AEST on Monday, and in the end, it was Coolmore getting the triple Group 1 winner for a sale record of $4.2 million.

A one-time $300,000 yearling through the same Gold Coast ring, she was offered again by Widden Stud and had all the qualities to be the mare who would break records given she boasts a brilliant race record, and is impeccable both from a pedigree and a physical perspective.

Exactly what level the bidding would get to was a source of much speculation, particularly considering the current economic times, but fit to be a star of any broodmare band globally, she garnered enormous interest which drove the best result in the long history of Magic Millions.

The bidding began at $1 million and shot through the roof at $200,000 intervals with several bidders having a shot at securing the star of the Sale. It came down to a battle of two as the bidding slowed as it rounded the $4 million mark.

It was Magnier who prevailed, yet again, for one of the best-credentialed race fillies ever offered for sale in Australia.

"We are very lucky to have gotten her. She is a lovely looking mare and she was unbelievable on the racetrack. Not only did she beat her own age, she beat the boys. She is a filly of a generation and we are very lucky to have got her," he said.

"We really wanted to have her. She is so good looking and we are trying to build a really serious broodmare band at Coolmore and if you are serious about that, you have to have mares like that in it."

Magnier confirmed Sunlight will begin her breeding career by heading to Justify.

Tom Magnier with Sunlight, confirming she would begin her breeding career by visiting Justify (USA) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

"There were a lot of good people involved in her and there were a lot of people around the world who had their eyes on her, so to take her back to Coolmore in the Hunter Valley is exciting and she will visit Justify," he said.

"We are committed to Justify - he is the horse of a generation as well. He won the Triple Crown in America and retired unbeaten. We have spent the last year, year and half to try and find the best mares to go to Justify and we will support him in the breeding barn, in the sales ring and on the racetrack.

"His foals in America have been outstanding and hopefully next week we will have the first Justify foals on the ground in Australia. If we can follow through with more exciting progeny next year, it will be very exciting."

Result doesn't surprise Widden

Widden Stud principal Antony Thompson said it was a terrific result for all involved, and he had every confidence Sunlight would reach her right price despite the uncertainties in the market.

"We always thought she would make something like that and it was great to see her go to Coolmore and stay here in Australia," he said. "For the ladies who raced her and enjoyed such a wonderful ride with her, they will get to see her at Coolmore and follow her in this part of the world."

"We always thought she would make something like that and it was great to see her go to Coolmore and stay here in Australia." - Antony Thompson

Sunlight was raced by a women's only syndicate which included Loretta Fung, the wife of Aquis chief Tony Fung, as well as Thompson's wife Katie. Thompson said the mare had created huge interest ahead of the Sale and while some were surprised with the price, he knew the depth of attention was there to generate a big result.

"Not only is she an incredible race filly, but certainly as a physical, she was just a stunning, stunning type. She really just blew everyone away here on the ground with what an amazing physical she is. Everyone who looked at her could tell why she was so good and she was much admired by everyone who saw her," he said.

Team Widden with the sale-topper, Sunlight | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

Thompson is delighted that Sunlight will get the chance to make her mark as a broodmare with one of the world's best breeding operations.

"Coolmore's commitment to Justify is well known and it's been very evident in the quality of mares they have bought for him and have continued to buy for him," he said.

"She's the sort of mare that can be mated to so many stallions. Justify this season, but she could go to Galileo or any of their other top stallions in the future. They have got a lovely blank canvas to work with and I am sure they will breed some very nice horses out of her."

Yulong prevails in online dual for Unforgotten

An international bidding dual conducted between China and Japan fell the way of Yulong chief Yuesheng Zhang, who secured G1 Australian Oaks winner Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) for $2.75 million.

In a sign of the times, Zhang, bidding online, saw off Northern Farm's determined challenge for the mare, also conducted online, landing Unforgotten for Yulong's Australian broodmare band.

Bidding started at $250,000, but a flurry of interest from a mixture of online and ringside bidders pushed Unforgotten into million-dollar territory quickly. A new ringside bidder joined in at $2 million, but Yulong and Northern Farm saw them off and settled down to fight it out for her.

Yulong Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray said a positive appraisal by Bloodstock Manager Luke Wilkinson had convinced Zhang to go hard to secure the mare.

"He said she was a beautiful looking mare and obviously Mr Zhang just wants to keep on buying these quality mares to support our stallions," he said. "Luke said she was a beautiful mare and a lovely mover and she is a Group 1 winner with a great pedigree, so it’s fantastic to get a mare of her quality.

"It’s a really good result for us, and Mr Zhang is all about supporting the industry and building a nice broodmare band so she's another one to add to that."

Wilkinson said that Unforgotten had been bought with a thought that she might go to Yarraman Park's I Am invincible in her first year.

“I have put down a nomination to I Am Invincible for her. I have spoken to Harry Mitchell and he said once the dust settles and things are settled, there is a slot for her, but it’s something Sam Fairgray, Mr Zhang, Marcus (Corban) and myself will have a chat about.”

Unforgotten in the ring at Magic Millions | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

Yulong also purchased recent Group 3-winning mare Another Dollar (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) for $700,000 later in the session, while they also secured the superbly-bred filly Evening Slippers (Snitzel), the sister to Sweet Idea and Showtime, for $550,000.

Like Unforgotten, Another Dollar was purchased from the Blue Sky Premium Consignment, who ended the day the leading vendor having sold 18 horses for $5.013 million.

"There is a big team effort that goes into preparing for a sale like this. We are delighted with the way it has gone and this is what we have been shooting for to try and build a brand selling these race fillies and mares for trainers and owners," Blue Sky's Julian Blaxland said.

"It is a niche market, breeders love to come here and buy fillies and mares straight off the track and every year we try and get the best draft we can and this was certainly the best draft we’ve had for the last three years. To have trainers like Chris Waller putting their faith in us to sell their horses, it’s great to get the results for them."

"Coolmore have been great supporters of Australian racing and breeding. They have been here for a long time and they have brought wonderful stallions down here. Yulong are great supporters as well. Luke Wilkinson and Marcus Corban have been here all week and they bought two of our big mares. It is wonderful the international investment here and they are integral parts of the Australian racing and breeding landscape now.

"I think in the light of recent events and the global economy this is a fabulous result for Magic Millions and is a great example of the thirst for Australian racing and breeding stock. If you were in any other country in the world and you received results in a sale ring that you saw here today, you would be very envious of Australian breeding and racing industry. Despite what is going on in the world, it was very strong. "

Cuddles appeals to Coolmore's plans

The third $2 million result of the sale came when Coolmore again prevailed in the battle to get the multiple Group winning mare Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt).

The fact that Turangga Farm had to sell the mare in absentia due to border restrictions, had no impact on the market and the Group 2 winner and Group 1 placegetter, a daughter of Group 1-winning mare Sky Cuddle (Snippets), will join the slew of Coolmore purchases headed to Justify.

“It’s very satisfying and it’s good to see the Magnier family buy her because we’ve had a good association for a long time," Turangga's Stuart Ramsey said.

“It’s very satisfying and it’s good to see the Magnier family buy her because we’ve had a good association for a long time." - Stuart Ramsey

“We’ve got a lot of kids and grandkids and she’s worth so much to us and more to other people. The girls and my wife aren’t very happy, but you’ve got to make these decisions and they’re not easy. It’s very emotional to lose her.”

Ramsey was always confident Champagne Cuddles would reach her $1.5 million reserve.

“The big players were on her and the thing was, although she hadn’t won a Group 1, Sunlight into third by an inch. She went past Merchant Navy, who’s gone to stud, in the Golden Rose as though he was stuck to the wall. She’s had a little bit of bad luck in big races, but she’s honest. She’s been good,” he said.

Invincibella joins Justify band

Earlier, Coolmore secured another Group 1-winning mare for Justify when Magnier went to $1.3 million for Invincibella (I Am Invincible).

A winner of a G1 Tatts Tiara as well as multiple other Group races and the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares race on three occasions, she always shaped as a seven-figure prospect, but it was a cautious bidding battle, with the patience of the auctioneer, David Chester, getting the desired result on behalf of vendor Glenesk Throughbreds, who were selling for the mare's owners Star Thoroughbreds.

James Bester, representing Coolmore, said on type and on performance, Invincibella was an opportunity not to be missed.

Invincibella sold to Tom Magnier for $1.3 million | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

“She won $3 million on the track, so her race record speaks for itself as a Group 1 winner, but beyond that, she is such a great individual. She has a great head, so typical of the I Am Invincibles with a great hindquarter on her, a wonderful shoulder and girth and she is truly a queen," Bester said.

“With that awesome outlook, she always stops and looks out into the distance. More importantly, she’s also out of a Galileo mare and a good Galileo mare who produced a Listed winner by Sizzling.

“As far as we’re concerned she’s the perfect mix of pedigree, physique and race performance. What more could you want?"

“As far as we’re concerned she’s the perfect mix of pedigree, physique and race performance. What more could you want?" - James Bester

It was a day of mixed emotions for Star Thoroughbreds' Denise Martin, as Invincibella begins the next stage of her career.

"I'm delighted that Coolmore bought her and that she will go to their property. I think the owners who are here and I feel quite emotional today because she has been a wonderful horse for us. She performed at the highest level of racing for a number of years and did a great job," she said.

"Whilst we understand horses have to go elsewhere to retire or go to the breeding barn, Invincibella has been a special horse for us.

"She’ll get every chance as a broodmare now and I think it’s wonderful."

Martin said it was hard to assess where the price received sat in the current market, but she was nonetheless pleased with the outcome.

"I feel that investment in many areas at present is a little subdued, be it property, bloodstock or a whole variety of other possibilities. It’s a difficult time and a difficult market, but she brought a good price all things considered."

Spendthrift lines up Group 1 winner for Omaha Beach

The fourth Group 1-winning mare to sell was Santa Monica (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), who was offered by the Blue Sky Premium Consignment and is headed to Spendthrift Australia, after it paid $600,000 for the G1 ARC Railway S. winner.

A grand-daughter of Group 2 winner Balmacara (NZ) (Bassenthwaite {GB}), from the family of Group 1 winners Linton (Galileo {Ire}) and Sharvasti (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}), she shaped as a terrific broodmare option and it was Spendthrift General Manager Garry Cuddy who won the day,

Cuddy purchased her as well as recent Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic winner Solar Star (Zoustar) for $450,000, and the well-related Joy At Last (More Than Ready {USA}), for $235,000 to send to new stallion addition Omaha Beach (USA).

"Santa Monica is a Group 1 winning grand-daughter of Street Cry and I thought she was well bought at the price. At the end of the day, she was a Group 1 winner that will be supporting Omaha Beach. Very happy to secure a mare of her quality," he said.

"Solar Star is a recent stakes winner, which takes her pedigree to another level, but she was a well-credentialed mare before that. Being a daughter of Zoustar, who is a young stallion who has a bright future, we were happy to grab her. And being out of a Not A Single Doubt mare, she’ll make a very interesting cross with Omaha Beach."

Joy At Last is an unraced three-quarter sister to star mare More Joyous (NZ) (More Than Ready {USA}) and will also visit Omaha Beach.

"To get a mare from Joie Denise's family by More Than Ready, I don’t think you can go far wrong. She is a gorgeous mare. We are lucky enough that the owner of her mother has opted to support Omaha Beach as well, so it's a great family to be involved with," Cuddy said.

Magic start to Sale

Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch was left with a smile on his face after a successful first day of the National Broodmare Sale, which progresses to the mares in foal section over the next two days.

“Today obviously just to begin was a success in itself but to again prove that this is the epicentre of selling breeding stock in the Southern Hemisphere was pleasing. To have as many people as we did here participating in the sale and to have the online reach that the sale had was quite remarkable," he said.

“Both markets, remote and live, played a huge importance in today’s sale. Our mandate is to engage with as many people as possible and I think today proved that was the case.

“We can talk about the highlight lots, but the quality mares who were good looking with a good pedigree, they were selling very well and I think vendors, on the whole, would be delighted with how today went for them."

Top Lots

80Sunlight$4,200,000 Tom Magnier
92Unforgotten$2,750,000 Yulong
131Champagne Cuddles$2,000,000 Tom Magnier
12Invincibella$1,300,000 Tom Magnier
114Another Dollar (NZ)$700,000 Yulong
61Santa Monica (NZ)$600,000 Spendthrift Australia Pty Ltd
144Evening Slippers$550,000 Yulong
24L'Cosmo$460,000 Grant Bloodstock/ Andrew Williams Bloodstock
76Solar Star$450,000 Spendthrift Australia Pty Ltd
142Etana$430,000 Neil Jenkinson Bloodstock

Top Buyers

Tom Magnier3$2,500,000 $1,300,000 $4,200,000 $7,500,000
Yulong3$1,333,333 $550,000 $2,750,000 $4,000,000
Spendthrift Australia Pty Ltd3$428,333 $235,000 $600,000 $1,285,000
Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA)7$176,786 $37,500 $380,000 $1,237,500
Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA)4$241,250 $175,000 $360,000 $965,000
Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/Grant Bloodstock2$300,000 $300,000 $300,000 $600,000
A List Group Holdings Pty Ltd7$73,571 $7,000 $180,000 $515,000
Grant Bloodstock/Andrew Williams Bloodstock1$460,000 $460,000 $460,000 $460,000
Neil Jenkinson Bloodstock1$430,000 $430,000 $430,000 $430,000
David Redvers/Widden Stud2$205,000 $110,000 $300,000 $410,000

Top Sires by Aggregate

Zoustar (AUS)5$4,777,500$955,500$4,200,000
Fastnet Rock (AUS)9$4,008,500$445,389$2,750,000
Not A Single Doubt (AUS)6$2,278,000$379,667$2,000,000
I Am Invincible (AUS)8$2,021,000$252,625$1,300,000
Snitzel (AUS)7$991,000$141,571$550,000
Ocean Park (NZ)2$780,000$390,000$700,000
Foxwedge (AUS)3$666,000$222,000$360,000
Choisir (AUS)2$620,000$310,000$410,000
Per Incanto (USA)1$600,000$600,000$600,000
Lonhro (AUS)2$482,500$241,250$460,000

Top Sires by Average (3 or more sold)

Zoustar (AUS)5$955,500$4,777,500$4,200,000
Fastnet Rock (AUS)9$445,389$4,008,500$2,750,000
Not A Single Doubt (AUS)6$379,667$2,278,000$2,000,000
I Am Invincible (AUS)8$252,625$2,021,000$1,300,000
Foxwedge (AUS)3$222,000$666,000$360,000
More Than Ready (USA)3$150,000$450,000$235,000
Snitzel (AUS)7$141,571$991,000$550,000
Hinchinbrook (AUS)3$88,333$265,000$130,000
Savabeel (AUS)4$81,000$324,000$200,000
Sebring (AUS)5$78,700$393,500$170,000

Top Vendors by Aggregate

Blue Sky Premium Consignment, Canungra, Qld18$5,013,000$278,500$2,750,000
Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW10$4,952,500$495,250$4,200,000
Turangga Farm, Scone, NSW1$2,000,000$2,000,000$2,000,000
Glenesk Thoroughbreds, Mount Vincent, NSW3$1,546,000$515,333$1,300,000
Yarraman Park Stud, Scone, NSW6$1,045,000$174,167$250,000
Strawberry Hill Stud, Mt White, NSW5$762,500$152,500$235,000
Kenmore Lodge, Wyreema, Qld6$755,000$125,833$300,000
Newgate Consignment, Aberdeen, NSW4$750,000$187,500$360,000
Attunga Stud, Scone, NSW5$732,000$146,400$430,000
Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW4$685,000$171,250$550,000

Top vendors by Average (3 or more sold)

Glenesk Thoroughbreds3 $515,333 $1,546,000 $1,300,000
Widden Stud10 $495,250 $4,952,500 $4,200,000
Blue Sky Premium Consignment18 $278,500 $5,013,000 $2,750,000
Newgate Consignment4 $187,500 $750,000 $360,000
Alexia Fraser Bloodstock3 $178,333 $535,000 $300,000
Yarraman Park Stud6 $174,167 $1,045,000 $250,000
Arrowfield Stud4 $171,250 $685,000 $550,000
Rosemont Stud3 $158,333 $475,000 $210,000
Strawberry Hill Stud5 $152,500 $762,500 $235,000
Lime Country Thoroughbreds4 $150,000 $600,000 $460,000