Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
Average up from last year's $91,723 to $99,525.
Median also rose from $70,000 to $80,000.
Gross also up from $13,575,000 to $14,132,500.
Though the clearance rate dropped from last year's high 91.3 per cent to 78.89 per cent.
Six of the top 10 buyers were local trainers with Peter and Luke Fernie buying seven horses at an average of $118,571 whilst Pearce Racing went home with 11 yearlings averaging $73,636.
The Western Breeders Alliance sold the most number of horses (24) whilst leading the way by average was Mungrup Stud with $154,167 (six sold including the sale-topper).
The sale-topper was the record breaking $625,000 Playing God x Cosmah Domination filly purchased by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA).
Two other yearlings sold for over $300,000 - a $375,000 Brazen Beau x Burgoyne colt and a $350,000 Playing God x Boutique colt.
Playing God was the sale's most dominant stallion with four of the top 10 sellers; 21 sold for an average of $149,762.
The highest averaging stallion with two sold was Zoustar at $225,000.
As was the case last year the fillies ($106,563) achieved a higher average than the colts ($95,000).
The all time record price at the sale, set by an Elusive Quality filly in 2007 at $365,000, was broken earlier in the day when a Brazen Beau colt from Yarradale Stud sold for $375,000.But that record only stood for about half an hour when Mungrup’s full sister to Bustler, a daughter of Playing God, presented as Lot 41, sold for record price of $625,000.
Magic day for Playing God
Playing God was a mere $27,000 purchase at the same sale in 2019, however the two-time G1 Kingston Town Classic-winning son of Blackfriars from small initial books (which has increased to triple figures only in the last three years) has done a fine job with his 116 winners from 166 runners.
Sheamus Mills is well aware of Playing God's impressive statistics, noting that “whilst it is hard to line him up with eastern state sire success, a 9.6 per cent stakes winners to starters strike rate is pretty good in anyone’s language!”
Mills was full of praise for his record-breaking purchase - Lot 41 bred and sold by Mungrup Stud out of the three-time winner Cosmah Domination (Oratorio) whose son Bustler (a $130,000 yearling) - also by Playing God - has won seven of his 17 starts including last year's G1 Railway S.
That 4-year-old was the first foal produced by Cosmah Domination whose 3-year-old A Lot Of Good Men (A Lot {USA}) is a Group 3-placed seven-time winner who fetched $42,500 as a yearling. Her yet to race 2-year-old Zoomachino (Maschino) in the Neville Parnham stable fetched $235,000 in 2021. She slipped in 2023 but is back in foal to Playing God.
Mills could not fault his big buy who will be raced “by a mix of clients” with a long-term view looking towards her breeding career - describing her as “a pretty rare specimen.”
Lot 41 - Playing God x Cosmah Domination (filly) was purchased for $625,000 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“It's that old adage - there is not much not to like about her. She stands up with any yearling I have seen this year. Her pedigree is obviously strong but on physical make up she is just outstanding.
“She is as good a yearling as I saw in New Zealand or at the Gold Coast and I doubt there will be any better at Easter.”
“She (Lot 41) is as good a yearling as I saw in New Zealand or at the Gold Coast and I doubt there will be any better at Easter.” - Sheamus Mills
“She already looks like a 2-year-old, she is a big, strong, well-grown filly with everything in the right place.”
Barry Bowditch and Sheamus Mills | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Mungrup's Gray Williamson (whose $154,167 average was the best of the day) was still in a degree of delighted shock when we spoke to him a few hours after the sale - “I am still coming down from that!” he laughed, noting that the experience standing behind the auctioneer as the bidding increased was a rather surreal one.
“When the bidding got to $500,000 my knees started to go a bit wobbly, I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff!”
“When the bidding got to $500,000 (for Lot 41) my knees started to go a bit wobbly, I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff!” - Gray Williamson
Whilst the $625,000 was a more than pleasant surprise, Williamson was expecting a big price for his prized filly who had impressed from day one.
“She was an outstanding foal who just continued to progress,” he said.
“There were never any dramas with her right through and she was a professional her whole time at the sales. She showed herself off so well - she is such a great walker, such a lovely type - the perfect package which made her easy to sell.”
Jan and Gray Williamson with Lot 41 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She is certainly the best yearling I have ever taken to a sale and a lot of people were saying that she is the best type ever taken to a sale in Western Australia.
“She is a great combination of type and pedigree,” he said.
Lot 26 - Brazen Beau x Burgoyne (colt) was purchased for $365,000 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bred and sold by Yarradale Stud, Lot 26 by Brazen Beau from Burgoyne is the second live foal for his dam who won at Belmont at two. Her yet to race 2-year-old daughter Cashel Palace (Street Boss {USA}) sold for $160,000 last year. A half-sister to the stakes-winning successful broodmare Jerezana (Lonhro), she slipped in 2023, served last spring by Playing God.
The record breaker was part of a good day for Playing God who sired four of the top ten lots; 21 sold for an average of $149,762 off his 2021 service fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
Several sires lighting up
It was Godolphin's Earthlight (Ire) who provided the highest-priced yearling amongst the first-season sires when Lot 35 was sold by Yarradale Stud to Ryan Hill Racing for $200,000. The attractive chestnut is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Stormchaser (Impending) out of the G3 Gimcrack S. winner Chantski (War Chant {USA}).
Lot 35 - Earthlight (Ire) x Chantski (filly) sold for $200,000 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The late I'm All The Talk also enjoyed a solid sale with two of his (off his 2021 $6600 {inc GST} service fee) fetching $170,000 - Lot 15 sold by Western Breeders Alliance to Adam Durrant and Lot 40 sold by Gervase Park Stud to Trevor Andrews.
The former is a full brother to the Group 2-placed multiple city winner Em Tee Aye from the family of the G1 Railway S. winner Hardrada (Marooned {GB}) whilst the latter is the first living foal for Consortium (Written Tycoon), a half-sister to the G1 Robert Sangster S. winner Precious Gem (Econsul).
With two in the sale, Widden Stud's Zoustar had the highest average; Lot 37 sold by Willow Dale Farm to Kennewell Racing/Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) for $200,000 and Lot 152 sold by Ridgeport Holdings to the same buyers for $250,000.
Lot 152 - Zoustar x Run All Night (filly) sold for $250,000 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Top results for local breeders
The most successful vendor title by gross on Thursday went to the Western Breeders Alliance consisting of Darling View Stud, Einoncliff Park and Westbury Park.
The group sold 24 yearlings for an average of $104,583.
Darling View's Brent Atwell was delighted, telling The Thoroughbred Report, “it is very humbling that we’ve brought a lovely line of horses to the Perth Magic Millions and it’s great to see they go to really nice homes.”
“... it is very humbling that we’ve (Western Breeders Alliance) brought a lovely line of horses to the Perth Magic Millions and it’s great to see they go to really nice homes.” - Brent Atwell
“Most of them stay in Western Australia but there’s a good few going east as well and we wish all the purchasers the best of luck. Hopefully they go really well on the racetrack for their new owners.
“Our staff at the Western Breeders Alliance have done an outstanding job this week and we are really happy with the quality... it is always a pleasure to showcase such nice horses.”
Brent Atwell | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Atwell was understandably particularly pleased by the results for his stallion Playing God with the highest priced yearling from the Alliance's draft being his son out of the city-placed winner Boutique (Discorsi).
Sold to Premium Bloodstock Services for $350,000 (the day's third best seller), he is a full brother to the Neville Parnham-trained Zipaway (Playing God) - the G2 Western Australian Guineas winner who, at his Victorian debut, caught the eye finishing off strongly for third in the G2 Autumn S. at Caulfield a couple of weeks ago.
This is a terrific local family with Boutique's stakes-placed city-winning dam Brocky's Ace (Surtee) also producing the Group winners Quilista (Scandal Keeper) and Red Can Man (Gingerbread Man).
Lot 24 - Playing God x Boutique (colt) was purchased for $350,000 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“It was great that we could breed such a nice horse, bring him to the sale and get such a quality outcome,” Atwell said.
Diverse buying bench on Day 1
The sale attracted buyers from across Australasia and Asia - 116 horses secured by local buyers and 13 by Victorians whilst buyers from New South Wales, Tasmania, Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand were also in force.
Magic Millions' Barry Bowditch was delighted by the sale's success, noting that “it is a watershed day for Western Australian breeding to have a yearling in it’s own sale make $625,000... an extraordinary result.
“She is was a filly of immense quality and it’s fantastic that she has gone to an outstanding filly judge. And it is great to see Playing God and Western Australian pedigrees being so highly sought-after nationwide.
“She (Lot 41) is was a filly of immense quality and it’s fantastic that she has gone to an outstanding filly judge. And it is great to see Playing God and Western Australian pedigrees being so highly sought-after nationwide.” - Barry Bowditch
“We are really pleased with obviously the average just under $100,000 - that is a great result. It is a significant increase on last year as was the gross. Obviously, the clearance rate is a little bit less than where we would like to be and we will work hard to sell some of those passed in lots and get it up there in the 80s.
“For the buyers there was still plenty of value to be found and I think that will be evident leading into tomorrow. Those who didn't fill their orders today will come in tomorrow, vendors will be very realistic and the buyers will be able to participate with confidence in a genuine market.”
Friday will see the final session of the two-day sale commence at 10am local time.
Top lots
| Lot 41 - Playing God /Cosmah Domination | F | $625,000 |
| Lot 26 - Brazen Beau /Burgoyne | C | $375,000 |
| Lot 24 - Playing God /Boutique | C | $350,000 |
| Lot 137 - Playing God /Precious Cargo | F | $250,000 |
| Lot 152 - Zoustar /Run All Night | F | $250,000 |
| Lot 155 - Toronado (IRE)/Secret Mak | C | $230,000 |
| Lot 11 - Playing God /Angel Sky | F | $210,000 |
| Lot 35 - Earthlight (IRE)/Chantski | F | $200,000 |
| Lot 37 - Zoustar /Clear Ripples | C | $200,000 |
| Lot 44 - Pierro /Dainty Tess | C | $200,000 |
Vendors by aggregate
| Western Breeders Alliance | 24 | $2,510,000 | $104,583 | $350,000 |
| Yarradale Stud | 12 | $1,492,500 | $124,375 | $375,000 |
| Willow Dale Farm | 8 | $985,000 | $123,125 | $200,000 |
| Amelia Park Racing and Breeding Pty Ltd | 13 | $955,000 | $73,462 | $130,000 |
| Mungrup Pty Ltd | 6 | $925,000 | $154,167 | $625,000 |
| Gervase Park Stud | 7 | $770,000 | $110,000 | $180,000 |
| J Farms | 5 | $675,000 | $135,000 | $250,000 |
| Dawson Stud | 7 | $640,000 | $91,429 | $230,000 |
| Greenfields Lodge | 7 | $620,000 | $88,571 | $140,000 |
| Forest View Farm | 6 | $610,000 | $101,667 | $210,000 |
Vendors by average (3 or more sold)
| Mungrup Pty Ltd | 6 | $154,167 | $625,000 | $925,000 |
| J Farms | 5 | $135,000 | $250,000 | $675,000 |
| Yarradale Stud | 12 | $124,375 | $375,000 | $1,492,500 |
| Willow Dale Farm | 8 | $123,125 | $200,000 | $985,000 |
| Gervase Park Stud | 7 | $110,000 | $180,000 | $770,000 |
| Ridgeport Holdings | 4 | $110,000 | $250,000 | $440,000 |
| Western Breeders Alliance | 24 | $104,583 | $350,000 | $2,510,000 |
| Scenic Lodge | 4 | $102,500 | $160,000 | $410,000 |
| Forest View Farm | 6 | $101,667 | $210,000 | $610,000 |
| Dawson Stud | 7 | $91,429 | $230,000 | $640,000 |
Sires by aggregate
| Playing God | 21 | $149,762 | $625,000 | $3,145,000 |
| Toronado | 8 | $105,000 | $230,000 | $840,000 |
| Maschino | 9 | $75,000 | $170,000 | $675,000 |
| I'm All the Talk | 6 | $105,833 | $170,000 | $635,000 |
| Awesome Rock | 7 | $75,714 | $180,000 | $530,000 |
| Rommel | 8 | $65,000 | $100,000 | $520,000 |
| Zoustar | 2 | $225,000 | $250,000 | $450,000 |
| Deep Field | 3 | $143,333 | $180,000 | $430,000 |
| Hellbent | 4 | $106,250 | $160,000 | $425,000 |
| Earthlight | 3 | $128,333 | $200,000 | $385,000 |
Sires by average (3 or more sold)
| Playing God | 21 | $149,762 | $625,000 | $3,145,000 |
| Deep Field | 3 | $143,333 | $180,000 | $430,000 |
| Earthlight | 3 | $128,333 | $200,000 | $385,000 |
| Russian Revolution | 3 | $111,667 | $130,000 | $335,000 |
| Hellbent | 4 | $106,250 | $160,000 | $425,000 |
| I'm All the Talk | 6 | $105,833 | $170,000 | $635,000 |
| Toronado | 8 | $105,000 | $230,000 | $840,000 |
| Microphone | 3 | $91,667 | $130,000 | $275,000 |
| Universal Ruler | 3 | $88,333 | $160,000 | $265,000 |
| Awesome Rock | 7 | $75,714 | $180,000 | $530,000 |
Top buyers
| Peter and Luke Fernie | 7 | $118,571 | $60,000 | $200,000 | $830,000 |
| Pearce Racing | 11 | $73,636 | $25,000 | $150,000 | $810,000 |
| Parnham Racing Stables | 7 | $105,714 | $55,000 | $150,000 | $740,000 |
| Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) | 1 | $625,000 | $625,000 | $625,000 | $625,000 |
| Simon Miller Racing | 6 | $104,167 | $40,000 | $180,000 | $625,000 |
| Ryan Hill Racing | 9 | $68,611 | $30,000 | $200,000 | $617,500 |
| Commercial Bloodstock Services P/L (FBAA) | 6 | $93,333 | $40,000 | $135,000 | $560,000 |
| Brad Widdup Racing | 3 | $173,333 | $130,000 | $210,000 | $520,000 |
| Kennewell Racing/Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) | 3 | $168,333 | $55,000 | $250,000 | $505,000 |
