Written by Richard Edmunds
The Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale will take place as planned on Monday and Tuesday, with special protocols in place in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The pandemic has disrupted hundreds of events around the world in recent days. The Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne was cancelled, and Saturday’s All-Star Mile at Caulfield was held in front of empty stands with only raceday officials, trainers and their staff, jockeys and a limited number of media allowed on course.
Empty stands at Caulfield for the All-Star Mile
But Magic Millions have affirmed their commitment to giving the vendors of the 412 yearlings in the March Sale catalogue the opportunity to sell at the Gold Coast Sales Complex this week.
“The sale will go ahead, but with protocols in place to ensure that we follow the guidelines that we’ve been given,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch told TDN AusNZ on Saturday.
“We want all potential buyers to be at the complex on Monday and Tuesday, but this event will unfortunately be closed to the general public.
“We want all potential buyers to be at the complex on Monday and Tuesday, but this event will unfortunately be closed to the general public." - Barry Bowditch
“There are a lot of fantastic horses who will be offered over the two days, and the Magic Millions guys have done a lot of work in getting around and doing inspections.
“We’ll have a number of agents on the ground at the complex during the sale, and there’s the option of digital or phone bidding as well, so if there are any potential buyers who are now unable to attend, there are still a number of options available.”
More details are expected to be released by Magic Millions on Sunday.
Buffering was a Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale graduate
The Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale has been the sale source of star gallopers Buffering (Mossman), Spirit Of Boom (Sequalo), I’m A Rippa (Love Conquers All), Boomsara (Spirit Of Boom), Chapter And Verse (Rothesay) and Winning Rupert (Written Tycoon).
All lots offered have been subject to the first payment for QTIS, and buyers will have the opportunity to win $67,200 (colts and geldings) and $79,450 (fillies) every Saturday for a Queensland metropolitan 2 and 3-year-old win for fully paid QTIS youngsters. A record 113 lots are BOBS eligible.
QTIS yearlings can run in more feature races across Queensland including the recently boosted $300,000 QTIS 3YO Jewel and the new $100,000 QTIS Northern Jewel. Selected Saturday metropolitan races across South East Queensland will now carry bonuses for 4-year-olds.
The newly announced regional Queensland Guineas Series, sponsored by Magic Millions, provides additional opportunities, carrying prize-money of $250,000 plus QTIS bonuses.
Buyers at the 2020 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale will have the added incentive of a discount on the Magic Millions Race Series nomination fee to make their purchase eligible for the $12.69 million series of graduate races held over six states of Australia.
