Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
Over the two-day Sale a record $14,462,500 was grossed on 323 lots sold at an average price of $44,776, a record median price of $35,000 and an impressive clearance rate of over 84 per cent.
Daandine Stud ended as the top vendor by average for three or more sold with four lots grossing $398,000 at an average of $99,500, and Eureka Stud led by aggregate with 36 lots sold for $1.9 million.
The leading sire by average for three or more sold was Deep Field with a trio sold for an average of $95,000. Better Than Ready was the leading stallion by aggregate with 66 lots sold for $2,795,000.
Gold Coast trainer John Morrisey went to $190,000 on behalf of Gunderoo Stud for Lot 291, offered by Eureka Stud and the only Russian Revolution yearling in the Sale.
Morrisey also paid $180,000 for Lot 272, a Hellbent colt from the draft of Kenmore Lodge who matched that price when its son of Better Than Ready, Lot 406 was knocked down to Team Edmonds.
First Light Racing, Rob Heathcote and Paul Willetts Bloodstock teamed up to secure Lot 235, a Spirit Of Boom colt offered by Eureka Stud for $180,000.
Outstanding returns
The March Sale surpassed all Magic Millions hopes and while comparison with the 2020 Sale, which was impacted by the dark cloud of a national COVID-19 lockdown threat is unfair, the outcome 12 months on has emphasised the extraordinary thirst of the buying bench.
Over the two-day Sale a record $14,462,500 was grossed on 323 lots sold at an average price of $44,776, a record median price of $35,000 and an impressive clearance rate of over 84 per cent.
Twelve months ago, 279 lots sold for $7,917,500 at an average of $28,378 and clearance of 75 per cent. A better comparison may be 2019 when 300 lots sold for $9,956,100 at an average of $33,187 and the clearance rate was 83 per cent.
“It’s been a phenomenal Sale and shows the great confidence in the industry, the local buyers have all got behind the Queensland vendors and their product,” Magic Millions Managing Director, Barry Bowditch, said.
“By far and away this Sale has exceeded our expectations by gross and average, all the barometers have exceeded the 2018 Sale, which was the unprecedented Spirit Of Boom Sale. This is a record March Sale however we look at it.
“It was fantastic for the industry and justified, given the lucrative bonuses and prizemoney these horses can race for, week in and week out,” Bowditch said.
“It was fantastic for the industry and justified, given the lucrative bonuses and prizemoney these horses can race for, week in and week out” – Barry Bowditch
“There was depth all the way through the catalogue and it picked up again in the last 45 minutes or so with some really nice horses going through.
“The Hunter Valley stallions have done well, but it was dominated by the local horses which was great to see. It was a triumph for Queensland, and our trainers have a lot of confidence, and that gives breeders that exact same confidence and puts them in a good place to go forward again.
"It's been a big month selling for Magic Millions across the length and breadth of the country. It gives us confidence that our clients in these regions are in a great place going forward," Bowditch said. "I must thank the Magic Millions team for an outstanding job across all these sales."
Lot 291 - Russian Revolution x Pinpoint (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
On Day 2, Gold Coast trainer John Morrisey went to a top price of $190,000 for a unique individual, the only youngster in the March Yearling Sale catalogue by Newgate’s first-season sire Russian Revolution, who was consigned by Eureka Stud.
The daughter of Russian Revolution caught the experienced eye of Morrisey who bought the filly on behalf of Gunderoo Stud with the pair enjoying a 30-year plus association that has reaped Group 1 rewards over the years.
“I’d seen this one a few times and she was a nice, solid type. I bought her for Gunderoo Stud, they’ve got all the ones I’ve bought so far – we go back over 30 years,” said Morrisey, who was the leading buyer at the Sale with $910,000 spent on four lots.
Group 1 winners
During that period, the flagship representatives for them have been the G1 Queensland Derby and G2 Queensland Guineas winner Camarena (NZ) (Danehill {USA}), who was also a multiple top-flight placegetter.
Lachlan River (NZ) (Desert King {Ire}) was another gifted performer who also won a Queensland Derby and placed in the G1 Mackinnon S.
The daughter of Russian Revolution is out of the winning General Nediym mare Pinpoint, and she is a half-sister to the speedy black-type winner Sugar Boom (Spirit Of Boom) from the family of the G2 Villiers S. winner Quackerjack (Not A Single Doubt).
Lot 291 - Russian Revolution x Pinpoint (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Eureka's Scott McAlpine was thrilled with the price of his top-seller and for results across the Sale, the Darling Downs-based farm finished as leading vendor by gross with 36 lots sold for $1.9 million.
"The Russian Revolution filly was extremely popular right from the start of inspections and we've been rewarded nicely," McAlpine said.
"The Russian Revolution filly (Lot 291) was extremely popular right from the start of inspections and we've been rewarded nicely." - Scott McAlpine
"It turns out she was the filly of the Sale today, she had plenty of admirers and she is heading to a great home.
"We've been able to continue the upward trend of sales across Australia. The gross, average and clearance rate have all increased substantially and overall it's been a very successful Sale.”
Morrisey also went to $180,000 to secure Lot 272, a Hellbent colt from the draft of Kenmore Lodge who attracted an opening bid of $100,000.
Lot 272 - Hellbent x O'Reilly's Charm (NZ) (colt)
“That’s a great result for the farm and exceeded our expectations, although he had been very popular since we’ve been here,” Kenmore’s Cameron Bond said. “He was in and out of his box a fair bit.”
The colt was the only son of Yarraman Park Stud’s first-season sire Hellbent, who won the G1 William Reid S., in Kenmore’s draft, but they have previously been impressed with his youngsters.
“This one has got a great nature and we’ve had a few of them, and they’ve all had good temperaments and are good movers.”
“This (Lot 272) one has got a great nature and we’ve had a few of them, and they’ve (Hellbents) all had good temperaments and are good movers.” - Cameron Bond
The colt is a son of the unraced O’Reilly (NZ) mare O’Reilly’s Charm (NZ) who is a sister to the winner and G2 Silver Shadow S. placegetter Clover Lane (NZ).
They are daughters of the G2 Queensland Guineas and Listed Vo Rogue Plate winner Sequential Charm (Sequalo).
Kenmore’s day ended on a top note when its Better Than Ready colt, Lot 406, went to trainers Toby and Trent Edmonds for $180,000.
He is a son of the Jet Spur mare Vienna Queen who won on six occasions and her only foal to race is Vienna Cruise (Winning Rupert), a 2-year-old winner this season. It is also the family of the dual Group 1 winner Chiamare (Claude {Ity}).
Lot 406 - Better Than Ready x Vienna Queen (colt)
Heathcote plays his part
Group 1-winning trainer Rob Heathcote was part of the group that secured Lot 235, a colt by Spirit Of Boom from Eureka Stud’s draft who commanded a $180,000 price tag and signed for by the Eagle Farm conditioner, First Light Racing and Paul Willetts Bloodstock.
“At the end of the day, First Light Racing are the ones who carry the risk and I’m the fortunate one that gets to train him,” Heathcote said.
“They are here and do a lot of work. Ashleigh Dowley (Bloodstock Manager) traipses the grounds day in and day out doing all the leg work, and then we put our heads together and it’s nicer when we’re on the same page.”
The team certainly was with the son of Spirit Of Boom, who was an impressive individual with an impressive pedigree page.
“There’s no doubt he is a beautiful horse and that’s the reason why the bidding was so competitive. You only need two people on the same horse and the sky can be the limit, and I’m fortunate that the First Light team had the ammo to keep going,” Heathcote said.
“There’s no doubt he is a beautiful horse (Lot 235) and that’s the reason why the bidding was so competitive.” – Rob Heathcote
“It’s a super family and you could argue that it’s one of the best families represented on the sales complex, and he is such a good type.”
The colt is a son of the winning Flying Spur mare Matinee and she has produced four winners, including Spirituality (Spirit Of Boom), who recently won at Wyong, and the dam of the Listed Mick Dittman Plate winner Tiyatrolani (Captain Sonador).
Matinee is also a half-sister to the dual Group 2 winner Staging (Success Express {USA}), dam of the Group 1-winning half-siblings and sires Duporth, Excites and Tickets, with the two-time South African Group 1 winner and sire Delago Deluxe also on the page.
Another Boom colt
Another well-related son of Spirit Of Boom, Lot 333, was a popular member of Eureka Stud’s lineup with Desleigh Forster, who has enjoyed success with a family member, having the final say at $130,000.
Another notable name on the pedigree page is Chapter And Verse (Rothesay), a member of Forster’s stable who has won six races including the G3 George Moore S. and is a multiple black-type placegetter.
The colt’s dam Sarisara (Red Dazzler) was successful on five occasions and she is a half-sister to the G3 Vo Rogue Plate and R. Listed Magic Millions Guineas winner Boomsara (Spirit Of Boom).
Top lots
| 69 | Spirit Of Boom | Chroma | C | River Junction, Kybong, Qld | Morrisey Racing | QLD | $370,000 |
| 153 | Sebring | Go Again | F | Daandine Stud, Goomburra, Qld | Edmonds Racing/Kestrel Thoroughbreds | QLD | $240,000 |
| 18 | Spirit Of Boom | Ana's Mail | F | Eureka Stud, Cambooya, Qld (As Agent) | Gollan Racing/John Foote Bloodstock | QLD | $220,000 |
| 291 | Russian Revolution | Pinpoint | F | Eureka Stud, Cambooya, Qld (As Agent) | Morrisey Racing | QLD | $190,000 |
| 131 | Invader | Fast Folk | C | Lucas Bloodstock, Croftby, Qld (As Agent) | Justin Fung | QLD | $180,000 |
| 235 | Spirit Of Boom | Matinee | C | Eureka Stud, Cambooya, Qld (As Agent) | First Light Racing/Rob Heathcote/Paul Willetts Bloodstock | VIC | $180,000 |
| 272 | Hellbent | O'Reilly's Charm | C | Kenmore Lodge, Wyreema, Qld | Morrisey Racing | QLD | $180,000 |
| 406 | Better Than Ready | Vienna Queen | C | Kenmore Lodge, Wyreema, Qld | Edmonds Racing/Kestrel Thoroughbreds/Lucky Clover Thoroughbreds | QLD | $180,000 |
| 67 | Spirit Of Boom | Chit Chat | F | Kenmore Lodge, Wyreema, Qld | Morrisey Racing | QLD | $170,000 |
| 185 | Extreme Choice | Jardine | C | Grandview, Peak Crossing, Qld (As Agent) | Kennewell Racing/Group 1 Bloodstock P/L (FBAA) | VIC | $170,000 |
Top buyers
| Morrisey Racing | 4 | $910,000 | $227,500 | $370,000 |
| Gollan Racing/John Foote Bloodstock | 7 | $650,000 | $92,857 | $220,000 |
| Chris Anderson Racing/Steve Morley Bloodstock | 6 | $540,000 | $90,000 | $125,000 |
| Mishani Enterprises | 8 | $515,500 | $64,438 | $150,000 |
| Edmonds Racing/Kestrel Thoroughbreds | 4 | $350,000 | $87,500 | $240,000 |
| First Light Racing/Rob Heathcote/Paul Willetts Bloodstock | 4 | $337,500 | $84,375 | $180,000 |
| Vandyke Racing | 3 | $270,000 | $90,000 | $155,000 |
| Robert Heathcote/Steve Morley Bloodstock | 4 | $252,500 | $63,125 | $95,000 |
| George Moore Bloodstock | 2 | $250,000 | $125,000 | $140,000 |
| Tony J Sears Racing | 5 | $248,500 | $49,700 | $125,000 |
Top vendors by aggregate
| Eureka Stud, Cambooya, Qld | 36 | $1,900,000 | $52,778 | $220,000 |
| Kenmore Lodge, Wyreema, Qld | 28 | $1,648,000 | $58,857 | $180,000 |
| Lyndhurst Stud Farm, Warwick, Qld | 33 | $1,502,500 | $45,530 | $125,000 |
| Raheen Stud, Darling Downs, Qld | 22 | $1,158,500 | $52,659 | $155,000 |
| Alexia Fraser Bloodstock, Warwick, Qld | 20 | $705,500 | $35,275 | $160,000 |
| River Junction, Kybong, Qld | 8 | $697,000 | $87,125 | $370,000 |
| Waylon J Stud, Wamuran, Qld | 17 | $681,500 | $40,088 | $140,000 |
| Oaklands Stud, Darling Downs, Qld | 18 | $627,500 | $34,861 | $110,000 |
| Lucas Bloodstock, Croftby, Qld | 9 | $562,000 | $62,444 | $180,000 |
| KBL Thoroughbreds, Beaudesert, Qld | 14 | $520,000 | $37,143 | $85,000 |
Top vendors by average (three or more sold)
| Daandine Stud, Goomburra, Qld | 4 | $99,500 | $398,000 | $240,000 |
| River Junction, Kybong, Qld | 8 | $87,125 | $697,000 | $370,000 |
| Robyn Wise, Toowoomba, Qld | 3 | $73,667 | $221,000 | $110,000 |
| Lucas Bloodstock, Croftby, Qld | 9 | $62,444 | $562,000 | $180,000 |
| Kenmore Lodge, Wyreema, Qld | 28 | $58,857 | $1,648,000 | $180,000 |
| Tipuana Farms, Boonah, Qld | 7 | $53,143 | $372,000 | $95,000 |
| Eureka Stud, Cambooya, Qld | 36 | $52,778 | $1,900,000 | $220,000 |
| Raheen Stud, Darling Downs, Qld | 22 | $52,659 | $1,158,500 | $155,000 |
| Yarramalong Park, Kalbar, Qld | 10 | $50,500 | $505,000 | $120,000 |
| Clear Mountain Fairview Pty Ltd, Greenmount, Qld | 3 | $48,333 | $145,000 | $100,000 |
Top sires by aggregate
| Better Than Ready | 66 | $2,795,000 | $42,348 | $180,000 |
| Spirit Of Boom | 25 | $2,299,500 | $91,980 | $370,000 |
| Heroic Valour | 24 | $1,076,500 | $44,854 | $155,000 |
| Winning Rupert | 9 | $438,000 | $48,667 | $130,000 |
| Spill The Beans | 14 | $382,000 | $27,286 | $70,000 |
| Sebring | 2 | $350,000 | $175,000 | $240,000 |
| Under The Louvre | 12 | $320,000 | $26,667 | $62,500 |
| Extreme Choice | 2 | $310,000 | $155,000 | $170,000 |
| Deep Field | 3 | $285,000 | $95,000 | $125,000 |
| Headwater | 5 | $278,500 | $55,700 | $90,000 |
Top sires by average (three or more sold)
| Deep Field | 3 | $95,000 | $285,000 | $125,000 |
| Spirit Of Boom | 25 | $91,980 | $2,299,500 | $370,000 |
| Flying Artie | 4 | $63,750 | $255,000 | $105,000 |
| Rothesay | 3 | $60,167 | $180,500 | $100,000 |
| All Too Hard | 3 | $59,000 | $177,000 | $100,000 |
| Falvelon | 3 | $56,667 | $170,000 | $70,000 |
| Headwater | 5 | $55,700 | $278,500 | $90,000 |
| Winning Rupert | 9 | $48,667 | $438,000 | $130,000 |
| Heroic Valour | 24 | $44,854 | $1,076,500 | $155,000 |
| Sidestep | 6 | $44,417 | $266,500 | $150,000 |
