Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
The Sale average jumped to $38,522, up from the previous record of $35,224, while the median of $30,000 ($28,000) and gross of $4.3 million ($3.45 million) were also well up on the record 2021 numbers.
After a patchy start, the clearance rate picked up markedly as the Sale progressed, and sits on 81.2 per cent, down on last year's mark of 86 per cent.
Armidale Stud grossed an impressive $1.71 million across 32 sales to be the leading vendor on aggregate, while it also led all vendors on average on $53,422.
A List Stud was the Sale's biggest spender, securing six lots for a total of $540,000, including Lot 106, the top lot by Toronado (Ire) for $150,000 from Armidale Stud. John Foote spent $355,000 across five horses.
Needs Further was the highest-grossing stallion of the Sale, with $973,000 in sales, and was also the leading sire on average for more than three lots, on $44,227.
There were four lots in total sell for $100,000 or more, including Lot 107, a colt by Grenville Stud's first-season sire Stratosphere, who is heading to Singapore, having been purchased by Bevan Smith.
Toronado filly tops the List
The most successful Australian-bred daughter of Swettenham Stud's Toronado (Ire), the seven-time stakes winner Still A Star, was purchased out of this Sale four years ago, and so it was no great surprise to see a filly by the stallion top the 2022 Sale.
Toronado (Ire) | Standing at Swettenham Stud
Lot 106, offered by Armidale Stud, is out of the Elvstroem mare Il Sogno, the dam of four winners to date and half-sister to Listed winner Snitz (Snitzel), and the daughter of multiple stakes winner Tickle My (Perugino {USA}).
Magic Millions' Asian Business and Sales Manager Nicky Wong was co-ordinating the bidding on behalf of A List Stud's Chris Lee, and said the filly had made an immediate impression.
"When we arrived at the sales we just saw the Toronado filly, she caught our eye, and we felt she was the top filly in the Sale and that's why Chris was really loving her and told me no matter what, just buy her," Wong said.
"When we arrived at the sales we just saw the Toronado filly (Lot 106), she caught our eye, and we felt she was the top filly in the Sale and that's why Chris (Lee) was really loving her and told me no matter what, just buy her." - Nicky Wong
"In conformation and on the page, she appealed to us along with the fact she was by Toronado. It was a good price and we feel like Toronado will make it as a top stallion as well, he is a coming-up stallion. Chris was delighted to get her."
Wong said that one of A List's longer-term strategies is to secure some fillies to support the stallions which Lee has a shareholding in.
"Chris is trying to build up his broodmare band, so that's why is buying a lot of fillies. He is looking to support his stallions he is involved in through stallion shares," he said.
Lot 106 - Toronado (Ire) x Il Sogno (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"He's involved in Deep Field and Ole Kirk, in Victoria, he has got I Am Immortal as well. There's a few stallions that he is trying to support."
The result was a clear highlight of a big day for Armidale Stud, with Managing Director David Whishaw always having confidence in the Toronado filly.
"She was one of my favourite fillies ever since she arrived on the farm. Ken and Jen Breese, who bred her, have been wonderful clients of the stud they have been with us a long time. They breed great racehorses, Both Snitz and I’ll Have A Bit were raised at Armidale," he said.
"She (Lot 106) was one of my favourite fillies ever since she arrived on the farm." - David Whishaw
"I had big expectations for the filly. I brought her here thinking she could top the Sale and I valued her somewhere close to what she had brought. It was very pleasing to get a great result for them."
Il Sogno produced a Shamus Award filly last year and has since visited first year Darley stallion Earthlight (Ire).
A List also purchased an Epaulette colt from the same family from Armidale Stud, paying the third-highest price of the Sale, $115,000.
His dam, Myhro (Lonhro), is a half-sister to Il Sogno, and Wong said that resonated with Lee.
Lot 134 - Epaulette x Myhro (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
"Chris started doing some research and looked at the family page, and under the second dam, he saw a horse he really liked in Snitz, like the other one," Wong said.
"There are a few black-type horses there and Epaulette is doing quite well in Hong Kong too."
A List Stud have had success looking to pinhook yearlings through the Magic Millions 2YO in Training Sale before and Wong said it wouldn't be a total surprise to see either or both of the six-figure Tasmanian purchases end up going back through the ring later this year.
Stratosphere to Singapore
There was one horse that got respected bloodstock agent Bevan Smith in the plane to Launceston this week and it was Lot 107, the Stratosphere colt from Grenville Stud, from the Exceed And Excel mare In Harmony.
Lot 107 - Stratosphere x In Harmony (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Smith's Singapore-based client, trainer Michael Clements, trains the colt's Listed-winning half-sister Celavi (Fighting Sun), and went to $125,000 to secure him in a marquee result for a first-season stallion.
"He was a lovely colt and I thought he was the best horse here at the Sale. I came here specifically to buy him. He's a half relation to a very good horse in Singapore that Michael Clements trained called Celavi. That's why I was here," he said.
"We had to be as strong as we wanted to be on the horse, but luckily we landed him, so it’s been a successful trip.
"We had to be as strong as we wanted to be on the horse (Lot 107), but luckily we landed him, so it’s been a successful trip." - Bevan Smith
"He's headed to Singapore for Michael Clements. He's a strong, athletic, well-built colt that I think will get up and run and be a fast horse as well."
The progeny of Grenville Stud's new son of Snitzel, Stratosphere, were very popular with 22 sold for an average of $33,455, or close to eight times his service fee of $4400 (inc GST).
Smith said taking a bit of a punt on a new sire didn't concern him or his client, but did make it hard to know how to value the colt.
Bevan Smith | Image courtesy of Bevan Smith Bloodstock
"It's an interesting one. We discussed budget and knowing the family made it a bit easier to go harder at the horse. We know the half-sister is very good," he said.
"Having talked to Michael Smith at China Horse Club, they were involved in Stratosphere, and told us that he was a very good horse. He had all the potential in the world and was going to be a top-liner if he hadn't had an unfortunate injury."
In Harmony, the three-quarter sister to multiple stakes winner King Of Danes, has produced five winners, including the stakes-placed Entrapped (Fighting Sun), who is trained by Grenville Stud's Graeme McCulloch.
Stratosphere | Standing at Grenville Stud
Purchased by just $1000 by McCulloch back in 2015, she produced another colt foal to Stratosphere in 2021 before heading back to the stallion again.
Alva's Award fits for Foote
Twelve months after securing a six-figure result for a filly by Deep Field, Alva Stud was celebrating another big return when a colt by Shamus Award, Lot 84, sold to John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) for $110,000.
Alva Stud struck some fame as the breeders of the Champion Tasmanian filly Still A Star, and the market respect for what Catherine Hills and her team is doing has only grown in recent years.
Lot 84 - Shamus Award x Ecosse (colt) with the Alva Stud team | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Foote purchased five colts in all and it was the colt by Shamus Award out of Ecosse (West Quest {Can}), that saw him stretch to six figures.
Hills was understandably rapt to see her colt so well-received and paid tribute to the advice of Belmont Bloodstock's (FBAA) Damon Gabbedy to send the mare to Shamus Award.
“(John Foote buying) is a recognition that you’ve got the right type of horse and the stallion is going really well at the moment," she said.
“(John Foote buying) is a recognition that you’ve got the right type of horse and the stallion (Shamus Award) is going really well at the moment." - Catherine Hills
“I have to thank Damon for that one. He suggested that one - and the mating was a good one - and I take a lot of notice of what Damon says."
Ecosse, who has produced two winners, A Sterling Dash (Dash For Cash) and The Flying Scot (Needs Further), lost a foal last year before visiting Alpine Eagle.
Another Sale, another record
With the Sale reaching new heights, it was another very positive outcome for Magic Millions, in the second year at its new venue at Quercus Park.
Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said the results backed up the respect with which the marketplace holds Tasmanian horses and Tasmanian breeders.
Barry Bowditch
“I am thrilled with today’s results. It’s continued on with the trend of the yearling sale series this year. There’s been a good, strong, healthy market and I am delighted for the vendors of Tasmania," he said.
"They really work hard to achieve these results and, on a whole, to get their horses sold with a record average, record median and a record gross, it’s a great result for Tasmania."
"They (the vendors) really work hard to achieve these results and, on a whole, to get their horses sold with a record average, record median and a record gross, it’s a great result for Tasmania." - Barry Bowditch
The Sale was notable for the fact that 61 of the 112 horses were purchased by interstate buyers up from a 50-50 split last year.
“Nearly all states of Australia bought a horse which was great. Victoria was fantastic, there was a bit of international participation, so Tasmania’s getting great coverage, and rightly so. Having those buyers willing to come down here and be willing to support this Sale and expose the breed of horse down here to the mainland, it’s great to see and it’s important for the future,” Bowditch said.
Whishaw, the leading vendor at the Sale, agreed that the Tasmanian-bred product was getting a stronger appreciation on the mainland than ever.
"The Tassie breeding industry has been punching above its weight. People are coming down here and finding tough, sound, well-reared horses with plenty of bone. They are now happy to buy the Tasmanian product," he said.
"People are coming down here and finding tough, sound, well-reared horses with plenty of bone. They are now happy to buy the Tasmanian product." - David Whishaw
"There is no doubt the Tasmanian stallions have got a presence in the mainland market. It's great to see people happy to buy an Alpine Eagle or a Needs Further and be happy to trade them to Hong Kong, or offer them up to owners in Victoria, New South Wales or South Australia."
The local question
Whishaw did say he found a diminished level of investment from local trainers as something that would need to be addressed, and Bowditch agreed it was an area of concern.
Star Thoroughbreds was the biggest local buyer. Denise Martin's business may be based in Sydney but she retains a strong connection to her home state, and the horses she purchased will be syndicated and put into training with her brother-in-law Barry Campbell at Spreyton.
Brett Howard and Denise Martin | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Randwick Bloodstock's (FBAA) Brett Howard, who is Star Thoroughbreds' bloodstock agent of choice, said the opportunity was there for those to race horses purchased at this Sale within Tasmania and achieve outstanding results.
“Obviously we’ve had success with a filly called Deroche who we bought at this Sale for $60,000. She won the Magic Millions 2YO. She’s won 13 races and she hasn’t really left Tasmania and she’s a Group 3 winner and earned over $500,000 in prizemoney. So, I suppose if you can replicate that or get close to it everyone will be happy," he said.
Denise Martin is featured on the TDN AusNZ podcast, Connections Cast, this week. To listen, click the link below.
Top lots
| 106 | Toronado | Il Sogno | F | Armidale Stud | A List Stud Pty Ltd | $150,000 |
| 107 | Stratosphere | In Harmony | C | Grenville Stud | Bevan Smith Bloodstock | $125,000 |
| 134 | Epaulette | Myhro | C | Armidale Stud | A List Stud Pty Ltd | $115,000 |
| 84 | Shamus Award | Ecosse | C | Alva Stud | John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) | $110,000 |
| 51 | Need Further | Arenzano | C | Armidale Stud | Star Thoroughbreds/ Randwick Bloodstock (FBAA) | $97,500 |
| 80 | Toronado | Dream Food | C | Armidale Stud | Cumani Racing Pty Ltd | $95,000 |
| 121 | Need Further | Lustica | F | Motree Thoroughbreds | A List Stud Pty Ltd | $90,000 |
| 53 | Alpine Eagle | Arkiboum | F | Armidale Stud | Mick Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd | $82,500 |
| 4 | Ambidexter | Red Duchez | C | Brooklyn Park Stud | Mitch Freedman Racing Pty Ltd | $82,500 |
| 28 | Smart Missile | Take All Of Me | C | Armidale Stud | Collide Syndicate | $80,000 |
Top buyers
| A List Stud Pty Ltd | 6 | $540,000 | $90,000 | $150,000 |
| John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) | 5 | $355,000 | $71,000 | $110,000 |
| Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) | 3 | $192,500 | $64,167 | $97,500 |
| John Blacker | 7 | $190,000 | $27,143 | $32,000 |
| Gordon Richards Racing | 4 | $169,000 | $42,250 | $70,000 |
| Andrew Bobbin | 4 | $152,000 | $38,000 | $45,000 |
| Bevan Smith Bloodstock | 1 | $125,000 | $125,000 | $125,000 |
| Matthew Brown Racing | 2 | $112,000 | $56,000 | $80,000 |
| Leanne Gaffney | 4 | $111,000 | $27,750 | $40,000 |
| Collide Syndicate | 2 | $98,000 | $49,000 | $80,000 |
Top vendors by aggregate
| Armidale Stud, Carrick, Tas | 32 | $1,709,500 | $53,422 | $150,000 |
| Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas | 18 | $644,000 | $35,778 | $125,000 |
| Motree Thoroughbreds, Waterhouse, Tas | 17 | $609,000 | $35,824 | $90,000 |
| Brooklyn Park Stud, Evandale, Tas | 7 | $242,000 | $34,571 | $80,000 |
| Alva Stud, Hagley, Tas | 5 | $197,000 | $39,400 | $110,000 |
| B K Baker, Longford, Tas | 3 | $137,000 | $45,667 | $65,000 |
| Fairways Bloodstock, Nagambie, Vic | 5 | $130,000 | $26,000 | $50,000 |
| Macleay Thoroughbred Stud, Westwood, Tas | 3 | $118,000 | $39,333 | $70,000 |
| C & K Mahoney, Weetah, Tas | 3 | $106,000 | $35,333 | $65,000 |
| Waterford Livestock, Latrobe, Tas | 2 | $73,000 | $36,500 | $55,000 |
Top vendors by average (3 or more sold)
| Armidale Stud, Carrick, Tas | 32 | $53,422 | $150,000 | $1,709,500 |
| B K Baker, Longford, Tas | 3 | $45,667 | $65,000 | $137,000 |
| Alva Stud, Hagley, Tas | 5 | $39,400 | $110,000 | $197,000 |
| Macleay Thoroughbred Stud, Westwood, Tas | 3 | $39,333 | $70,000 | $118,000 |
| Motree Thoroughbreds, Waterhouse, Tas | 17 | $35,824 | $90,000 | $609,000 |
| Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas | 18 | $35,778 | $125,000 | $644,000 |
| C & K Mahoney, Weetah, Tas | 3 | $35,333 | $65,000 | $106,000 |
| Brooklyn Park Stud, Evandale, Tas | 7 | $34,571 | $80,000 | $242,000 |
| Fairways Bloodstock, Nagambie, Vic | 5 | $26,000 | $50,000 | $130,000 |
| Twelve Oaks Thoroughbreds, Campania, Tas | 3 | $19,000 | $25,000 | $57,000 |
Top sires by aggregate
| Needs Further | 22 | $973,000 | $44,227 | $97,500 |
| Stratosphere | 22 | $736,000 | $33,455 | $125,000 |
| Alpine Eagle | 14 | $462,500 | $33,036 | $82,500 |
| Toronado | 2 | $245,000 | $122,500 | $150,000 |
| Epaulette | 2 | $165,000 | $82,500 | $115,000 |
| Smart Missile | 2 | $130,000 | $65,000 | $80,000 |
| Shamus Award | 2 | $128,000 | $64,000 | $110,000 |
| The Mission | 2 | $106,000 | $53,000 | $70,000 |
| Ambidexter | 2 | $100,000 | $50,000 | $80,000 |
| Impending | 1 | $80,000 | $80,000 | $80,000 |
Top sires by average
| Toronado | 2 | $122,500 | $150,000 | $245,000 |
| Epaulette | 2 | $82,500 | $115,000 | $165,000 |
| Smart Missile | 2 | $65,000 | $80,000 | $130,000 |
| Shamus Award | 2 | $64,000 | $110,000 | $128,000 |
| The Mission | 2 | $53,000 | $70,000 | $106,000 |
| Ambidexter | 2 | $50,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
| Needs Further | 22 | $44,227 | $97,500 | $973,000 |
| Stratosphere | 22 | $33,455 | $125,000 | $736,000 |
| Alpine Eagle | 14 | $33,036 | $82,500 | $462,500 |
| Outreach | 2 | $32,500 | $40,000 | $65,000 |
