Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
At the close of trade on Saturday evening, Book 1 of the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale had grossed $228,411,000, around $400,000 short of the 2022 figure.
Magic Millions broke their record of million-dollar sales, with a total of 20 changing hands for seven-figures, up one from their previous record of 19.
The median dipped slightly again to $215,000, compared to $230,000 last year, whilst the clearance rate sat at 88.48 per cent against 92.72 per cent.
The top lot on the final day was Corumbene Stud’s $1.8 million Exceed And Excel colt (Lot 955), which sold to Kia Ora Stud and TFI.
Of the sires, I Am Invincible extended his lead over Zoustar on aggregate, some $13.5 million ahead, whilst Snitzel finished in third. The Yarraman Park resident was crowned leading sire by average for the first time, finishing the sale at $736,136.
None of Blue Point’s (Ire) progeny sold in the final session, and he 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 led the buyer’s bench on aggregate over Book 1 - they have spent a total of $10,100,000 on 18 yearlings.
Of the vendors, Newgate Farm-consigned yearlings have brought the most money, their 54 to sell totalling $17,225,000, around $2 million ahead of Arrowfield Stud who have sold 48. Segenhoe Stud lead on average ($564,000) from their 25 to sell.
Vinnie reigns supreme once again
Since 2018, I Am Invincible has yet to relinquish his crown as the Leading Sire by aggregate at Book 1 of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and if anything the Yarraman Park-based sire’s grip on the title is tightening.
The stallion finished the week having sold 44 for an aggregate of $32,390,000, but this year he added further prowess to his already burgeoning CV, when he finished the sale as the sire with the leading average for the first time ever at Magic Millions, finishing with an extraordinary average of $736,136.
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
I Am Invincible’s total gross was headed by seven lots that sold for $1 million or more and they included three lots that made more than $2 million, spearheaded by the colt out of super racemare Anaheed (Fastnet Rock), who topped the sale when purchased by Tom Magnier for $2.7 million.
The stallion far outperformed his results from last year when he closed the week with an aggregate of $23,830,000 and an average of $541,591, while he had five lots sell for a $1 million or more.
Zoustar outguns his average
Zoustar has enjoyed a good week and sold 30 lots for a total receipt of $18,860,000, which is slightly lower than last year, but it is worth bearing in mind he was more heavily represented with 43 yearlings selling for $23,830,000 last year.
Zoustar | Standing at Widden Stud
However, the son Northern Meteor’s average was much more impressive than 12 months ago, with the Widden Stud sire achieving $628,667 by that metric in 2023, which is a 46 per cent increase on the figure he achieved in 2022.
Sires by aggregate (3 or more sold)
| I Am Invincible | 44 | $32,390,000 | $736,136 | $2,700,000 |
| Zoustar | 30 | $18,860,000 | $628,667 | $2,600,000 |
| Snitzel | 34 | $16,745,000 | $492,500 | $1,250,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 42 | $15,745,000 | $374,881 | $950,000 |
| Deep Field | 40 | $9,220,000 | $230,500 | $650,000 |
| Capitalist | 30 | $8,680,000 | $289,333 | $850,000 |
| Exceed And Excel | 12 | $7,080,000 | $590,000 | $1,800,000 |
| Pierata | 25 | $6,575,000 | $263,000 | $800,000 |
| Blue Point | 16 | $6,050,000 | $378,125 | $900,000 |
| Extreme Choice | 12 | $5,845,000 | $487,083 | $1,000,000 |
Sires by average (3 or more sold)
| I Am Invincible | 44 | $736,136 | $2,700,000 | $32,390,000 |
| Zoustar | 30 | $628,667 | $2,600,000 | $18,860,000 |
| Exceed And Excel | 12 | $590,000 | $1,800,000 | $7,080,000 |
| Snitzel | 34 | $492,500 | $1,250,000 | $16,745,000 |
| Extreme Choice | 12 | $487,083 | $1,000,000 | $5,845,000 |
| Fastnet Rock | 14 | $389,643 | $625,000 | $5,455,000 |
| Blue Point | 16 | $378,125 | $900,000 | $6,050,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 42 | $374,881 | $950,000 | $15,745,000 |
| Justify | 10 | $369,000 | $1,400,000 | $3,690,000 |
| So You Think | 19 | $290,263 | $650,000 | $5,515,000 |
First-season sires make a splash
The first-season sires have been making a splash all week, with the highlight coming when a filly by Darley shuttler Too Darn Hot (GB) sold to McKeever Bloodstock, Watership Down, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing for a cool $1 million, to make her the most expensive yearling sold by a first season sire this week.
Meanwhile, his barnmate Blue Point (Ire) was hot property throughout the week and he closed with an total gross of $6,050,000 and an average of $378,125, which is 8.5 times his covering fee of $44,000 (inc GST).
The son of Shamardal (USA) best result of Book 1 came when a half-brother to Perth superstar Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) was bought by Rosemont Alliance, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and Annabel Neasham Racing for $900,000 on Friday.
Lot 828 - Too Darn Hot (GB) x Enbihaar (filly), the highest-selling yearling from a first-season sire, was purchased by McKeever Bloodstock, Watership Down, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing for a cool $1 million | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The first yearlings by Zoustar’s best son Zousain were well received over the five days of trade and he had 25 yearlings sell for an aggregate of $5,720,000 at an average of $228,800, headed by a filly purchased by Yulong Investments, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing and Kestrel Thoroughbreds for $650,000.
Aquis Farm’s Piereta retired to stud with some of the best credentials amongst his peers and they were well-found all week, leading to him finishing at the head of the table for aggregate for first-season sires, with 25 of his yearlings realising $6,575,000 at an average of $263,000.
| Alabama Express | 9 | $207,778 | $120,000 | $350,000 | $1,870,000 |
| Blue Point | 16 | $378,125 | $120,000 | $900,000 | $6,050,000 |
| Brutal | 17 | $136,765 | $50,000 | $260,000 | $2,325,000 |
| Calyx | 3 | $133,333 | $70,000 | $230,000 | $400,000 |
| Castelvecchio | 12 | $196,667 | $20,000 | $360,000 | $2,360,000 |
| Cliff's Edge | 1 | $210,000 | $210,000 | $210,000 | $210,000 |
| Cosmic Force | 12 | $150,417 | $50,000 | $250,000 | $1,805,000 |
| D'Argento | 4 | $100,000 | $40,000 | $230,000 | $400,000 |
| Dubious | 6 | $240,000 | $80,000 | $500,000 | $1,440,000 |
| Exceedance | 11 | $169,545 | $60,000 | $370,000 | $1,865,000 |
| I Am Immortal | 1 | $80,000 | $80,000 | $80,000 | $80,000 |
| Magna Grecia | 5 | $107,000 | $40,000 | $160,000 | $535,000 |
| Microphone | 13 | $233,077 | $25,000 | $750,000 | $3,030,000 |
| Omaha Beach | 2 | $175,000 | $140,000 | $210,000 | $350,000 |
| Pierata | 25 | $263,000 | $60,000 | $800,000 | $6,575,000 |
| Royal Meeting | 3 | $141,667 | $65,000 | $240,000 | $425,000 |
| Strasbourg | 1 | $220,000 | $220,000 | $220,000 | $220,000 |
| Super Seth | 7 | $231,429 | $110,000 | $450,000 | $1,620,000 |
| Tassort | 4 | $108,000 | $22,000 | $160,000 | $432,000 |
| Too Darn Hot | 14 | $276,786 | $80,000 | $1,000,000 | $3,875,000 |
| Unite And Conquer | 1 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Yes Yes Yes | 23 | $176,478 | $24,000 | $420,000 | $4,059,000 |
| Zousain | 25 | $228,800 | $80,000 | $650,000 | $5,720,000 |
Table: First-season sires performance
Newgate finish with an unblemished record
For the second year running, Newgate Farm clinched the leading vendor crown by aggregate with Henry Field’s operation selling all 54 of their yearlings they offered for $17,225,000, which is marginally down on last year’s gross when they sold 45 youngsters for $14,665,000.
Having sold two lots for north of $1 million, including the sale-topper for $2.7 million, a colt by I Am Invincible, Segenhoe Stud were the leading vendors by average (with three or more lots sold). Like Newgate Farm, Segenhoe finished the week with a 100 per cent clearance rate and an average of $564,000.
Another farm to have finished with an average north of $500,000 was Emirates Park, who recorded a final figure of $527,500 and a gross of $4,220,000 for eight horses sold, bolstered by two lots selling for seven figures.
Vendors by aggregate (3 or more sold)
| Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW | 54 | $17,225,000 | $318,981 | $1,250,000 |
| Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW | 48 | $15,360,000 | $320,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Segenhoe Stud, Scone, NSW | 25 | $14,100,000 | $564,000 | $2,700,000 |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains, NSW | 36 | $12,715,000 | $353,194 | $2,500,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone, NSW | 25 | $11,955,000 | $478,200 | $2,000,000 |
| Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 40 | $11,915,000 | $297,875 | $2,600,000 |
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 18 | $7,690,000 | $427,222 | $1,000,000 |
| Bhima Thoroughbreds, Scone, NSW | 26 | $6,780,000 | $260,769 | $750,000 |
| Vinery Stud, Scone, NSW | 18 | $5,980,000 | $332,222 | $1,000,000 |
| Newhaven Park, Boorowa, NSW | 22 | $5,775,000 | $262,500 | $1,100,000 |
Vendors by average (3 or more sold)
| Segenhoe Stud, Scone, NSW | 25 | $564,000 | $2,700,000 | $14,100,000 |
| Emirates Park, Murrurundi, NSW | 8 | $527,500 | $1,650,000 | $4,220,000 |
| Silverdale Farm, Avoca, NSW | 6 | $483,333 | $1,100,000 | $2,900,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone, NSW | 25 | $478,200 | $2,000,000 | $11,955,000 |
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 18 | $427,222 | $1,000,000 | $7,690,000 |
| Musk Creek Farm, Flinders, Vic | 4 | $407,500 | $800,000 | $1,630,000 |
| Milburn Creek, Wildes Meadow, NSW | 8 | $406,250 | $725,000 | $3,250,000 |
| Longwood Thoroughbred Farm, Longwood East, Vic | 8 | $395,000 | $1,450,000 | $3,160,000 |
| Cressfield, Scone, NSW | 7 | $392,857 | $1,600,000 | $2,750,000 |
| Bell River Thoroughbreds, Glen William, NSW | 4 | $372,500 | $800,000 | $1,490,000 |
Newgate and partners finish leading buyers
Having been active all week, China Horse Club, Newgate Farm, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy finished the sale as the leading buyers purchasing 18 lots for a gross of $10,100,000. Last year a similar partnership purchased 14 lots for $6,990,000.
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace came to the table with intent this week and they signed for 30 youngsters, for a total spend of $13,885,000, including the $2.5 million I Am Invincible colt out of G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Booker (Written Tycoon).
Interestingly, at the sale 12 months ago the powerhouse training partnership, once again in conjunction with a whole host of different partners, bought 50 yearlings for an eye-watering $21,115,000.
Top buyers
| China Horse Club/Newgate/Go/Trilogy | 18 | $561,111 | $850,000 | $10,100,000 |
| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/Kestrel Thoroughbreds | 21 | $378,810 | $1,400,000 | $7,955,000 |
| Ciaron Maher Bloodstock | 13 | $564,615 | $2,500,000 | $7,340,000 |
| Mulcaster Bloodstock/Chris Waller Racing Pty Ltd | 14 | $368,929 | $650,000 | $5,165,000 |
| Yu Long Investments (Australia) Pty Ltd | 8 | $620,000 | $2,600,000 | $4,960,000 |
| Tom Magnier | 3 | $1,650,000 | $2,700,000 | $4,950,000 |
| Curran Bloodstock | 11 | $437,727 | $725,000 | $4,815,000 |
| James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership | 5 | $950,000 | $1,600,000 | $4,750,000 |
| Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd/TFI | 4 | $982,500 | $1,800,000 | $3,930,000 |
| Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) | 4 | $906,250 | $1,450,000 | $3,625,000 |
Colts just edge out the fillies
Book 1 saw 446 colts change hands for an aggregate of $132,482,000 and $297,045, compared with 2022 when 443 colts made $131,760,000 at an average of $297,427.
Fillies, meanwhile, have performed amazingly all week with 330 selling for a gross of $95,929,000 at an average of $290,694, having sold 342 for an aggregate of $98,047,500.
Lot 399 - Zoustar x Solar Charged (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Last year, a total of five fillies sold for a million or more and this was better this week when 10 females broke the magic seven barrier, headed by Sunlight’s (Zoustar) sister who sold to Yu Long Investments for $2.6 million, the second-highest price of the week.
| C | 446 | $297,045 | $20,000 | $2,700,000 | $132,482,000 |
| F | 330 | $290,694 | $20,000 | $2,600,000 | $95,929,000 |
Table: Colts versus fillies
Million-dollar lots
| 606 | I Am Invincible | Anaheed (AUS) | C | Segenhoe Stud | Tom Magnier | $2,700,000 |
| 399 | Zoustar | Solar Charged (AUS) | F | Widden Stud | Yu Long Investments | $2,600,000 |
| 676 | I Am Invincible | Booker (AUS) | C | Coolmore Stud | Ciaron Maher Bloodstock | $2,500,000 |
| 873 | I Am Invincible | Flippant (AUS) | F | Yarraman Park Stud | Tammy Rigney | $2,000,000 |
| 955 | Exceed And Excel | Ichihara | C | Corumbene Stud | Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd/TFI | $1,800,000 |
| 153 | I Am Invincible | Mossfun (AUS) | C | Emirates Park | Hawkes Racing | $1.650,000 |
| 417 | I Am Invincible | Spright (AUS) | C | Cressfield | Tom Magnier | $1,600,000 |
| 504 | I Am Invincible | Tumooh (AUS) | C | Emirates Park | James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership | $1,600,000 |
| 886 | Zoustar | Fuddle Dee Duddle (AUS) | F | Longwood Thoroughbred Farm | Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) | $1,450,000 |
| 445 | Justify | Sunlight (AUS) | C | Coolmore Stud | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/Kestrel Thoroughbreds | $1,400,000 |
| 164 | Snitzel | My Conquestadory (USA) | F | Newgate Farm | Snowden Racing/William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA)/Trilogy Racing | $1,250,000 |
| 448 | I Am Invincible | Super Too (AUS) | F | Glenlogan Park | Tammy Rigney | $1,200,000 |
| 600 | Zoustar | Alter Call (AUS) | F | Newgate Farm | McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) | $1,150,000 |
| 108 | Zoustar | Members Joy (AUS) | F | Newhaven Park | Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) | $1,100,000 |
| 446 | Snitzel | Super Cash (AUS) | C | Arrowfield Stud | Michael Hickmott Bloodstock/Douglas Whyte Racing | $1,100,000 |
| 452 | Exceed And Excel | Sweet Sherry (AUS) | F | Silverdale Farm | Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd/TFI | $1,100,000 |
| 449 | Extreme Choice | Sweet Bouquet (AUS) | C | Kingstar Farm | Aramco Racing/Mick Price Racing & Breeding/Rick Connolly Bloodstock | $1,000,000 |
| 773 | Snitzel | Darling Point (AUS) | F | Segenhoe Stud (As Agent for Fairway Thoroughbreds) | Moody Racing Pty Ltd | $1,000,000 |
| 967 | Zoustar | In Times Of War | C | Baramul Stud | James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership | $1,000,000 |
| 828 | Too Darn Hot | Enbihaar | F | Vinery Stud | McKeever Bloodstock/Watership Down/Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing | $1,000,000 |
