Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
The average after Day 3 stood at $297,259, up from $293,648 at the same point last year.
The median dipped slightly to $220,000, just behind last year’s, whilst the gross was $207,784,000, nearly $2 millions ahead of the comparable 2022 figure.
The clearance rate climbed again to 88.15 per cent, compared to 93.5 per cent at the same point last year.
The top lot was the $2.5 million I Am Invincible colt (Lot 676) out of Booker (Written Tycoon) who sold from the Coolmore Stud draft to Ciaron Maher Racing.
There were four further yearlings to sell for $1 million or more, including the $2-million daughter of I Am Invincible who sold to the holiday-making Rigney family from the draft of Yarraman Park.
On aggregate, I Am Invincible extended his lead again amongst the sires, now sitting over $13 million clear, as Zoustar remained just ahead of Snitzel. The Yarraman Park resident also leads those two on average, his jumping markedly up to $731,905.
Blue Point (Ire) remained at the head of the first-season sires, with his 16 lots selling for an average of $378,125.
The combination of China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing continue to lead the buyer’s bench on aggregate after Day 4 - they have spent a total of $10,100,000 on 18 yearlings so far.
Of the vendors, Newgate Farm-consigned yearlings have brought the most money so far, their 44 to sell totalling $14,525,000, fractionally ahead of Segenhoe Stud who have sold 25. Emirates Park now lead on average ($591,429) from their seven to sell.
#1. Four fillies crack $1 million
At the close of play on Friday, there had been five more yearlings made over the magical $1 million lot mark and four of the quintet were fillies, taking the total tally of females to break the seven-figure barrier for the week to 10.
The decade of fillies to make north of $1 million far exceeds the number from last year’s edition of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when only five realised seven figures.
In total this week, 298 fillies sold for an aggregate of $87,959,000 at an average of $295,164, while 401 colts realised a gross of $119,825,000.
After Book 1 last year, 342 fillies sold for a gross of $98,047,500 at an average of $286,689.
#2. Mighty couple of months for Michael
It’s been a pretty good six months for Longwood Thoroughbreds’ Michael Christian.
In the space of four months, he has co-bred his first Group 1 winner in In Secret (I Am Invincible), co-owned a horse he bred to win a Group 1 when Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) landed the G1 Manikato S. and on Friday at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale he was handed the best result for his farm at a yearling sale.
The result was brought by a Zoustar filly out of Group 3 winner Fuddle Dee Duddle (Red Ransom {USA}), a mare he also bred, when she sold for $1.45 million to Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA).
Lot 886 - Zoustar x Fuddle Dee Duddle (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
To add another dimension to the result, the youngster hailed from a family that Christian has built up over the years, in fact it is the same family as his Group 1-winning filly Bella Nipotina.
Fuddle Dee Duddle herself was sold by Geisel Park Stud for $240,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in 2011 and then bought her back, alongside Mills, for $230,000 at the Inglis Chairman's Sale in 2020.
“You have lots of low moments in this game, it’s a tough industry. But then you have moments that you dream of, but then to have it all come together like it did today (Friday) is mindblowing, it really is incredible.”
The connection with this family began back in 2004 when he teamed up with Peter Morgan to purchase her Fuddle Dee Duddle’s grandam, Bella Inez (Beautiful Crown {USA}) for $190,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“You have lots of low moments in this game, it’s a tough industry. But then you have moments that you dream of, but then to have it all come together like it did today (Friday) is mindblowing, it really is incredible.” - Michael Christian
“I’m really proud. I bought the grandam with Peter Morgan and she produced Hallowell Belle, who was a superstar and was multiple Group 2-placed and unlucky not to win a Group 1,” Christian told TDN AusNZ.
“We then bred Fuddle Dee Duddle, but then Bell Inez, at 10 years of age died in foal to Fastnet Rock and that was a real low moment. But her daughters, including Bella Orfana, who showed lots of ability but unfortunately had a heart issue, then produced Bella Nipotina.
“I feel so proud that we have been able to build families and try and get results like this. It is very exciting and beyond expectations, I was hoping she would make between $600,000 - $800,000 but to make $1.45 million - it is just incredible.”
#3. Yarraman investment in families pays off
Yearlings by I Am Invincible have been making north of $1 million all week and on Friday, Yarraman Park, where the reigning Champion Sire resides, was rewarded when they sold their highest price filly ever by the sire to US-based buyer Tammy Rigney for $2 million.
Harry Mitchell, Phil Bauer, Lance Forbes, Richard and Tammy Rigney, Halina Fedchanka and John Moynihan with Lot 873 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Other farms have been selling seven-figure yearlings by the sire, but Yarraman had to wait until Friday to get their day in the sun. And did it shine, when his filly out of Group 3 winner Flippant (Hinchinbrook) made an eye-watering $2 million, to become the second ever most expensive filly sold at Magic Millions, second only behind the filly out of Solar Charged (Charge Forward), who sold for $2.6 million earlier in the week.
Flippant and the Mitchell Family go way back, having stood her sire Hinchinbrook at Yarraman Park until his untimely death in 2018. The Mitchells purchased the mare from the Bell River Thoroughbreds draft for $220,000 in 2014.
“The original story was that we wanted to buy some Hinchinbrooks in his first crop and put them in good stables and race them with clients and friends.” - Harry Mitchell
“The original story was that we wanted to buy some Hinchinbrooks in his first crop and put them in good stables and race them with clients and friends,” said Harry Mitchell.
“She was one of those and obviously she turned into a very good racemare. We bred her to I Am Invincible and we have a very nice 2-year-old who we have a very high opinion of and she has a very nice foal by him too, so to get everyone in front we put this one in the auction. It is a great result for everyone. All the owners, great result for the stallion and the mare is looking like a superstar,” said Harry Mitchell.
I Am Invincible has dominated proceedings at the Magic Millions Sale all week, being responsible for seven yearlings who have realised $1 million or more and Mitchell reflected on how important the son of Invincible Spirit (Ire) had been for the family and the farm.
Lot 873 - I Am Invincible x Flippant (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“He wasn’t a dear stallion, but he has done incredible things for the farm, our family and our staff - it is very exciting,” said Mitchell. “He has been a great ride for us and we appreciate how lucky we have been to get him. We have just kept working hard and doing the best we can for the stallion.”
So far, I Am Invincible has sold 42 yearlings for a total of $30,740,000, while his average is an extraordinary $731,905. Twelve months ago, he had 44 yearlings sell for an aggregate of $23,830,000 at an average of $541,591.
#4. Darley handsomely repaid
Darley’s decision to send two of the most exciting stallions to hit their European roster in the past decade to Australia has been richly rewarded at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with the first-crop of both Blue Point (Ire) and Too Darn Hot (GB) both being well-received by the buying bench.
Too Darn Hot has enjoyed a good week, but on Friday his good week quickly transformed into a brilliant one when a filly by the sire was purchased by Johnny McKeever, Watership Down and Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing for a cool $1 million.
Lot 828 - Too Darn Hot (GB) x Enbihaar (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She is the most expensive filly sold by the sire, having been represented by a colt, who sold to David Redvers for 600,000gns (AU$1,104,300) at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale last year.
On point
His barnmate and fellow shuttler, Blue Point, has also a revelation for Darley and 16 his first Southern Hemisphere-bred yearlings have sold for an aggregate of $6,050,000 at an average of $378,125.
His most high profile lot of week, the half-brother to Perth-based superstar Amelia's Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}), was offered on Friday and he was purchased by Rosemont Alliance, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and Annabel Neasham Racing for $900,000, the highest-priced yearling offered by the sire all week.
Vin Cox, managing Director of Godolphin, told TDN AusNZ that Blue Point has been the best Darley shuttle ever launched in Australia and he has been pleased with the performance of not only the two European-breds, but also Microphone.
“From a Darley perspective, the way the Blue Points have sold is unequivocally the best launch of any shuttle stallion we have had here in Australia and that is not to take away from Too Darn Hot, we have been equally happy with the way he has sold as well, so it is a great kick-off for both of those sires,” said Cox.
“We have been trying to buy Blue Points, Too Darn Hots and Microphones all week and haven’t had much success, but that speaks volumes for how the rest of the market sees them.
“We have been trying to buy Blue Points, Too Darn Hots and Microphones all week and haven’t had much success, but that speaks volumes for how the rest of the market sees them.” - Vin Cox
Blue Point entered his first season at stud in Australia at a fee of $44,000 (GST) and his average represents 8.5 times over his service fee, while yearlings by Too Darn Hot are averaging $288,750, which is more than 6.5 times over his introductory fee of $44,000 (inc GST).
“I think with the shuttle stallion, you have to be fairly careful how you price them because you can get it horribly wrong and the commercial breeders will tell you that,” said Cox.
“Fortunately, we have been well supported by very prominent breeders, who have been well-rewarded, which tells us we priced them about right.”
Sires by aggregate (3 or more sold)
| I Am Invincible | 42 | $30,740,000 | $731,905 | $2,700,000 |
| Zoustar | 27 | $17,060,000 | $631,852 | $2,600,000 |
| Snitzel | 33 | $16,345,000 | $495,303 | $1,250,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 34 | $12,685,000 | $373,088 | $950,000 |
| Deep Field | 34 | $8,555,000 | $251,618 | $650,000 |
| Capitalist | 27 | $7,710,000 | $285,556 | $850,000 |
| Blue Point | 16 | $6,050,000 | $378,125 | $900,000 |
| Extreme Choice | 12 | $5,845,000 | $487,083 | $1,000,000 |
| Pierata | 21 | $5,795,000 | $275,952 | $800,000 |
| Exceed And Excel | 10 | $4,920,000 | $492,000 | $1,100,000 |
Sires by average (3 or more sold)
| I Am Invincible | 42 | $731,905 | $2,700,000 | $30,740,000 |
| Zoustar | 27 | $631,852 | $2,600,000 | $17,060,000 |
| Snitzel | 33 | $495,303 | $1,250,000 | $16,345,000 |
| Exceed And Excel | 10 | $492,000 | $1,100,000 | $4,920,000 |
| Extreme Choice | 12 | $487,083 | $1,000,000 | $5,845,000 |
| Fastnet Rock | 11 | $417,727 | $625,000 | $4,595,000 |
| Blue Point | 16 | $378,125 | $900,000 | $6,050,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 34 | $373,088 | $950,000 | $12,685,000 |
| Justify | 10 | $369,000 | $1,400,000 | $3,690,000 |
| Too Darn Hot | 12 | $288,750 | $1,000,000 | $3,465,000 |
#5. Timing is everything for fantastic pinhook
There were some fantastic pinhook results on Friday at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with nine pinhook results making over $100,000 in profit and three of those actually were in fact over $200,000 in profit and a total of 10 pinhooks made double their purchase price.
One of the pinhooks Lot 674, colt by Rubick, made 7.5 times the original purchase price, who was sold by Kerry Stephens and Denis Griffin’s Glenbeigh Farm. The operation enjoyed a special result when he was purchased by Dalziel Bloodstock and Moody Racing for $200,000, having been originally picked up for $26,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale last year.
Lot 674 - Rubick x Bonito (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Stephens told TDN AusNZ that the timing had been spot on for selling Rubick after the exploits of G1 Golden Rose S. Jacquinot earlier in the season, which she believed added to the interest in the colt.
“Our thinking behind it was that when we were selling Rubick would have his biggest crop turning three and turning two and we were taking a punt on the fact he would have a good horse in Jacquinot,” explained Stephens.
“Timing is everything and it’s a thing to think about, a stallion being unfashionable and having to look back at his numbers and work out which ones are worth taking a chance on.
“As a yearling he was a lovely strong colt and wasn’t over-prepped, fairly correct and the x-rays were good, which is important.
“Timing is everything and it’s a thing to think about, a stallion being unfashionable and having to look back at his numbers and work out which ones are worth taking a chance on.” - Kerry Stephens
“Originally, before coming up here we thought he would make around $80,000 and once we showed him we upped that to around $100,000.”
Top pinhooks
| 846 | Yes Yes Yes | Excellent Magic | Filly | Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale | Rothwell Park Pty Ltd ATF Irwin Family Trust TAS Rothwell Park | Cambridge Stud | $100,000 | $325,000 | $225,000 |
| 684 | Capitalist | Bridle Lane | Colt | Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale | Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) | Douglas Whyte Racing/Michael Hickmott Bloodstock | $240,000 | $450,000 | $210,000 |
| 871 | Dubious | Flash Of Innocence | Colt | Inglis Australian Weanling Sale | HK Asia Investments | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/Kestrel Thoroughbreds | $200,000 | $400,000 | $200,000 |
| 674 | Rubick | Bonito | Colt | Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale | Glenbeigh Farm | Dalziel Bloodstock/Moody Racing Pty Ltd | $26,000 | $200,000 | $174,000 |
| 795 | Cosmic Force | Divine Stryke | Filly | Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale | Sledmere Stud/ Cagnon Stud | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/Kestrel/MiRunners | $60,000 | $220,000 | $160,000 |
The final word
Magic Millions Managing Director, Barry Bowditch has been known to deliver beers to the Media Room on many occasions after a busy day at the sales. And on Friday he listened to the desperate pleas of a certain journalist who told him the day before she preferred to finish a hard day in front of their screen with a rather more refined glass of rosé.
There's no denying that said journalist was over the moon when a bottle of Whispering Angel was delivered to the Media Room at the conclusion of the days trade and is hopeful a similar trend can continue on Saturday.
