The scheduling of the Sale, which was initially slated to be held in the Swan Valley on February 14 and 15, was thrown into question when the Western Australian state government announced it would delay its expected border opening on February 5.
That means interstate travellers and returning Western Australians are required to do 14 days of home quarantine before being allowed to freely travel in public in the state.
That would not only shut out many possible attendees of the Magics Millions Perth Yearling Sale but also significantly disrupt plans for many people who were key to the Sale running smoothly.
The delay to the Sale means the latter aspect has been alleviated, although the state border restrictions are set to limit in-person interstate participation.
"After consulting with our industry partners we are pleased to announce these new dates for the Sale," Magic Millions WA Manager David Houston said.
"Working with the recently extended WA border restrictions and the resultant staffing and logistical challenges we have tried to position the Sale as close as possible to the original schedule to maximise participation in the auction."
"Working with the recently extended WA border restrictions and the resultant staffing and logistical challenges we have tried to position the Sale as close as possible to the original schedule to maximise participation in the auction." - David Houston
The Sale will start at 1pm AWST (4pm AEDT) on Tuesday, February 22 with 178 lots to sell as part of Book 1 and then commence at 10am (AWST) (1pm AEST) on Wednesday, February 23, with a further 160 lots to be sold as part of Book 2.
"We must thank the team at RWWA for being able to delay the start of the scheduled Wednesday racemeeting to around 3pm to accommodate trainers and other industry members," Houston said.
Magic Millions has confirmed there will be a number of independent bloodstock agents on the grounds at the Magic Millions sales complex in the Swan Valley, with inspections to start on Thursday, February 17.
David Houston and Jarrad Noske | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The catalogue contains 338 yearlings, with 84 individual sires represented, including 13 freshman sires.
"I encourage anyone wanting to get involved in the Sale, who can't attend, to engage with a member of the Magic Millions team," Houston added. "We have an outstanding lineup of youngsters and look forward to presenting them to buyers."
Graduates of the Sale include Group 1 winners Portland Sky (Deep Field), Black Heart Bart (Blackfriars), Boom Time (Flying Spur), Silent Sedition (War Chant {USA}), Great Shot (Magnus), Scenic Blast (Scenic {Ire}) and Moment Of Change (Barely A Moment).
"We have an outstanding lineup of youngsters and look forward to presenting them to buyers." - David Houston
The schedule change won't impact the Magic Millions WA Race day, which will be held this Saturday at Pinjarra and include the R. Listed Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic, worth $250,000, and the $200,000 R. Listed Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy.
The Perth Yearling Sale will now be staged the day after the 2022 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale, which will be held on Monday, February 21.
Magic Millions Perth sales complex
In what will be a busy fortnight of action for the Australasian bloodstock industry, the Perth Yearling Sale will now immediately precede the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, which will start on Sunday, February 27.
The rescheduled New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale will commence at Karaka on March 7.
