The numbers for the 2023 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale may be lower than previous years, but the quality is better than ever, according to Magic Millions Managing Director, Barry Bowditch.
This year’s catalogue features 404 yearlings across Books 1 and 2, compared to 484 in 2022 and 596 in 2021.
No less than 111 sires are represented, including big guns such as Blue Point (Ire) Capitalist, Dundeel (NZ), Exceed And Excel, I Am Invincible, Justify (USA), Russian Revolution, Snitzel, So You Think (NZ), Starspangledbanner, The Autumn Sun, Written Tycoon and Zoustar.
“It’s very good. The strength of sires, the strength of vendors and pedigree… the team has been around in March and early April selecting the sale and they’ve been pleased with what they’ve found out there,” Bowditch told TDN AusNZ.
“It’s a little bit smaller (404) than what we had last year (484), but it’s a good, strong edition and we’ve selected it a little bit harder than what we have in the past.”
“It’s a little bit smaller (404) than what we had last year (484), but it’s a good, strong edition and we’ve selected it a little bit harder than what we have in the past.” - Barry Bowditch
Every year, the National Sale provides both vendors and buyers the opportunity to trade late in the season, something Bowditch believes shouldn’t be underestimated.
“Where the sale sits from our perspective… we want to ensure there’s a viable option for vendors and buyers late in the season. Not every yearling is ready for an early sale and for whatever reason this sale suits them best,” he explained.
“We want it to remain a very viable option for our vendors, as well as the buyers, who have bought yearlings earlier in the year and had them sold and are ready to replenish and add to their stable.
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It serves a great purpose. Whether you’re buying breeze-up horses, horses for Asia, trainers, syndicators… it serves all purposes.”
The majority of lots are eligible to contest the Magic Millions Race Series, which is a suite of graduate races held across six states of Australia. The 2023/24 series comprises 26 races and well in excess of $18 million in prizemoney, while the following season, $20 million will be up for grabs across 28 races.
Furthermore, 286 lots catalogued are BOBS eligible, while QTIS, Super VOBIS, VOBIS Sires, Racing Rewards SA and Westspeed are among the other incentive schemes represented.
A yearling being inspected at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sales complex | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bowditch said: “This is a sale that will average far less than some other sales that have been so far this year and the yearlings are eligible for what next year is a massive Race Series, and in the winter next year, we’re going to have a $1 million 2-year-old race, as well, so it’s another 2-year-old race that may suit those juveniles that aren’t ready for the early race and come from this sale.
“The Race Series is going from strength to strength and to think that in 2025 when we get to that season, they’ll be racing for $20 million, and that’s just here on the Gold Coast, it doesn’t include the regional races and the interstate races that we have… there’s no race series like it and they’ve got a ticket for a lifetime in it.
“We feel as though we’re giving the buyers a great opportunity to buy premium yearlings late in the season that are eligible for the huge Magic Millions Race Series and just the prizemoney here in Australia on a whole.”
“We feel as though we’re giving the buyers a great opportunity to buy premium yearlings late in the season that are eligible for the huge Magic Millions Race Series and just the prizemoney here in Australia on a whole.” - Barry Bowditch
Success stories
The National Sale has produced winners of Group 1 races such as the Golden Slipper, Dubai Golden Shaheen, ATC Oaks, CF Orr S., Kelt Capital S. and Victoria Derby.
Last year’s top lot - a colt by Exceed And Excel from the Listed winner Nomothaj (Snitzel) - made $575,000. From the draft of the Silverstream Consignment, he was knocked down to Julian Blaxland Bloodstock (FBAA)
He has been named Nazorian and is trained by Kacy Fogden. The gelding broke his maiden at Doomben at his second start and ran second at Eagle Farm at his third.
The sale-topper at last year's Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, now named Nazorian, was purchased for $575,000 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
In 2022, the aggregate for Book 1 was $14,387,000, with the average $53,089, the clearance rate 73.84 per cent and the median $30,000, while for the entire two-day sale, the aggregate was $15,140,000, the average was $46,442, the clearance rate was 75.12 per cent and the median finished at $26,000.
And the recent stakes winner Stretan Angel (Harry Angel {Ire}) was bought for just $64,000 at this sale last year. Consigned by Raheen Stud, the filly was purchased by Phillip Stokes and Rick Connolly Bloodstock. Following her win in the Listed Dequeteville S., the filly has earnings of $67,9455, as well as black-type to her name.
“To have a new stakes-winning 2-year-old graduate (Stretan Angel) is great and horses from this sale normally get better with time; you see a lot of them race on and get better as older horses,” Bowditch said.
“To have a new stakes-winning 2-year-old graduate (Stretan Angel) is great and horses from this sale normally get better with time; you see a lot of them race on and get better as older horses.” - Barry Bowditch
Catalogue highlights
Australia’s Champion Sire, I Am Invincible, who will stand at Yarraman Park this spring at a fee of $302,500 (inc GST), will be represented by two yearlings, including Lot 1744 - a filly from Thislilsoulofmine (Can) (Perfect Soul {Ire}). To be offered by Arrowfield Stud, she is the sixth foal of a stakes performer and two-time winner.
The catalogue features also half-siblings to six Group 1 winners - Gypsy Goddess (Tarzino {NZ}), Jon Snow (NZ), Sunshine In Paris (Invader), Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Vanbrugh and Werther (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ}).
I Am Invincible will be represented by two yearlings (Lot 1667 and 1744) at this year's Magic Millions National Yearling Sale | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
There are also half-siblings to stakes winners including Barbed (Canny Lad), Brave Song (Your Song), Brave Mead (Brave Smash {Jpn}), Mosstrip (Mossman) and Soul Choice (Redoute’s Choice).
And a three-quarter brother to the talented juvenile Blanc De Blanc (I Am Invincible) is sure to attract plenty of attention. The colt is consigned by Kitchwin Hills as Lot 1440 and is by Hellbent from Another Sunday (Redoute’s Choice).
A number of Group-winning mares have progeny in the sale, including Belong To Many (Belong To Me {USA}), Dane Julia (SAf) (Caesour {USA}), Only Words (NZ) (Sweynesse) and Serious Speed (Royal Academy {USA}).
