A quickfire round with Barry Bowditch
TDN AusNZ: Favourite racing moment of 2020?
Barry Bowditch: The Group 1 2-year-old racing in the autumn was a highlight for me having Magic Millions win four Group 1s with three different colts; Tagaloa, Farnan and King’s Legacy. This is a goal of the team every time we select a catalogue, and to dominate like we did in 2020 was great for the Magic Millions team.
TDN AusNZ: And favourite non-racing moment?
BB: If you could find a highlight from a COVID-19 year and that’s not easy, it would have been for me being able to enjoy a lot more time with my family which was fantastic.
Barry Bowditch
TDN AusNZ: What is the best thing about starting the year with Magic Millions on the Gold Coast? Do you have a restaurant to recommend?
BB: I think the anticipation and the huge build up into the Sale and event, everyone that possibly can wants to be on the Gold Coast. We love creating a fun atmosphere for our clients and allowing them to enjoy the Gold Coast and attend a world-class horse Sale at the same time.
It’s hard to pick just one restaurant these days. I think for the view The Tropic at Burleigh. The Star has a great lineup of restaurants in particular Nineteen and Kiyomi, but my all-time favourite here on the Coast would have to be Mamasan.
TDN AusNZ: Whose progeny have impressed you so far on your Magic Millions inspections?
BB: It’s not a question I can answer and remain impartial, but we are very fortunate that each and every year vendors support the Sale with the best progeny they have of the new horses. This is no different 2021.
The Magic Millions Gold Coast sales complex
TDN AusNZ: If you could be someone else in the industry for a day. Who would it be, and why?
BB: Grant Burns, the bloke seems to live the life and never seems stressed.
TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite racehorse of the decade? Domestic and international.
BB: You cannot go past Winx here in Australia but internationally it would be American Pharoah – I was lucky to be at the 2015 Keeneland Breeders' Cup and watching him win the Breeders' Cup is something I will never forget.
TDN AusNZ : Who is your favourite racehorse of this year?
BB: Sunlight! Although this year wasn’t her greatest on the racetrack, to be involved in her sale was something truly special.
Sunlight selling at the 2020 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale
TDN AusNZ : What do you consider the greatest sporting moment this decade (not solely racing related).
BB: Winning the Widden Golf Day, I think it was in 2015.
TDN AusNZ: Who is the most under-rated stallion in Australasia?
BB: All Too Hard is having a fantastic year and I believe Spirit Of Boom will go to another level with the quality of stock being offered in 2021.
TDN AusNZ: What is your New Year's resolution for 2021? Can you remember your 2020 resolution? Did you achieve it?
BB: I'm not really into New Year's resolutions. Each year I would like to think I can better the last both professionally and personally.
