Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

The eagerly awaited 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale catalogue was unveiled on Sunday, revealing a blockbuster lineup of 622 lots, which includes 184 race fillies and maiden mares.

The event is set to take place on the Gold Coast from Tuesday, May 28, to Thursday, May 30.

The 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale has been significantly compressed with 622 lots in total. In comparison, the 2023 edition catalogued 725 lots, while the 2022 edition saw 753 fillies and mares catalogued.

Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch told The Thoroughbred Report, “We’re really pleased with the depth and diversity of the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. I think this catalogue provides the market with more options across all levels than any other.

“You’re coming to the Gold Coast to buy quality and in saying that you’re buying quality across all levels. Whether that be a $10,000 or a $20,000 budget all the way through to the big numbers.

“It’s a great time to be on the Gold Coast; It’s a mini carnival so to speak with the winter racing and we've got our million dollar race on the first night race meeting here at the Gold Coast. The weanling catalogue and the broodmare sale coming in closer together there’s going to be a really good vibe up here.

“I believe we have quality offerings whether it’s weanlings or mares.”

This year’s sale is headlined by eight Group 1 winners, including the G1 TJ Smith S. victress Chain Of Lighting (Fighting Sun) and the multiple Group 1 winner Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel). Also, the Magic Millions National Broodmare sale will offer a lifetime breeding right in Yarraman Park’s Champion Sire I Am Invincible. Alongside shares in the Newgate Farm-based Capitalist and the Golden Slipper victor Stay Inside.

Gallery: The Magic Millions National Broodmare sale will also offer a lifetime breeding right in Champion Sire I Am Invincible, alongside shares in Capitalist and Stay Inside.

Vendors by the numbers

The Newgate Consignment leads the pack in numbers, presenting 55 fillies or mares at the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Henry Field's operation will showcase prominent names like the G3 Gimcrack S. winner Platinum Jubilee (Zoustar), listed as Lot 513.

She's a half-sister to this season's G1 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) and the speedy Queen Of The Ball (I Am Invincible). Additionally, the recent stakes winner Facile (Trapeze Artist) will be offered as Lot 453.

Following closely is Godolphin, with 40 lots on offer. Yarraman Park Stud follows suit with 34, Widden Stud with 29, the Element Hill reduction with 28, Coolmore with 25 lots, and Willow Park Stud with 22.

Vendors returning after hiatus

This year's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale welcomes both new and returning vendors to the lineup. Mick Malone's North will make its debut with six lots, along with seven under North 'Unreserved Dissolving Partnership'.

Kansas Plains Stud, absent in 2023, will bring two lots to the 2024 edition. Longwood Thoroughbred Farm, though absent from offering a draft for the past two years, will present eight fillies and mares.

Also joining the vendor list this year after a hiatus is Chris Waller Racing, offering nine lots. Among them, Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) stands out as Lot 412, along with the G1 The Thousand Guineas victress Madame Pommery (No Nay Never {USA}).

Gallery: Chris Waller Racing's nine-lot draft is headlined by Group 1 winners Atishu (NZ) and Madame Pommery, images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Leading broodmare sires represented

Coolmore Stud’s Fastnet Rock sits atop the Leading Australian Broodmare Sires Premiership. His daughters are responsible for 18 stakes winners this season, including the G1 Golden Slipper victress Lady Of Camelot and the G1 George Ryder S. hero Veight (Grunt {NZ}).

There are 18 daughters of Fastnet Rock catalogued in this year’s 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Among them Lot 851, Mariam (GB) offered through the Newgate Consignment. The well-related mare was unraced and will be offered having been served to Siyouni (Fr). Mariam is related to the G1 St Leger victor Logician (GB) and the Group 2 winner Bated Breath (GB).

Meanwhile, the second-placed Encosta De Lago has seven entries. Milburn Creek will offer Lot 1019 Valdemoro, who is a daughter of the blue-hen mare Hveger (Danehill {USA}). Therefore, Valdemoro is a a half-sibling to the Group 1 winners Highland Reel (Ire) and Cape Of Good Hope (Ire).

Gallery: Leading broodmare sires represented by daughters catalogued in the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale

The third-placed Street Cry (Ire), whose daughters have achieved 12 stakes winners this season, including the G1 Cox Plate winner Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). The late Darley sire has three lots catalogued, two of which are offered by Godolphin. The third mare, I’m Pretty Strong (USA) offered as Lot 794 in Newgate Consignment. She is a daughter of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Turf victress Shared Account (USA) (Pleasantly Perfectly {USA}).

Group 1 stars galore

This year's catalogue boasts an impressive lineup of Group 1 stars, with eight winners featured. Among them is the G1 TJ Smith S. victress Chain Of Lightning, who also holds an entry at the Royal Ascot carnival. Dual Group 1 winners Atishu and Belcare (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) are also notable headliners.

In addition to the Group 1 winners, there are 11 Group 2 winners entered. Lot 761, Gaudeamus (Distorted Humour {USA}), dam of Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), has been served by the exciting Home Affairs. Lot 767 presents the G2 Reisling S. victress Glistening (Zoustar), who has been served by Yarraman Park’s Champion Sire I Am Invincible.

Furthermore, the catalogue features 25 Group 3 winners, including Rubisaki (Rubick) offered as Lot 935 with a service to Snitzel, and the Group 3-winning daughter of Justify (USA), Star Justice, listed as Lot 546.

Adding to the prestige, there are also 53 Listed winners included in the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Depth of quality

Among the catalogued mares, 21 have produced stakes winners, showcasing the sale's depth of quality. Lot 707, Choice (NZ) (Mastercraftman {Ire}), is notably the dam of the G1 VRC Derby winner Manzoice (Almanzor {Fr}). Bhima Thoroughbreds will present Choice, who has been served by Rich Hill Stud’s Satono Aladdin (Jpn).

Another standout is Lot 875, My Amelia (Redoute’s Choice), the dam of the G1 Champagne S. victor, The Mission. Additionally, there are 69 relations to Group 1 winners. Lot 408, Another Pinot, is a full sister to the G1 VRC Oaks winner Pinot (Pierro), while Rock Giselle (Lot 929), a daughter of Fastnet Rock, is a half-sister to Pinot and has been served by So You Think (NZ).

Lot 548, Stormy Revolution (Russian Revolution), is a half-sister to the G1 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside. Meanwhile, Lot 849, Madam Tracy (Encosta De Lago), is a half-sister to the star mare Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom {USA}).

Adding international flavor, Southern Speed's (Southern Image {USA}) son, Cosmo Kurana (Jpn) (Al Ain {Jpn}), was placed in the G1 Satsuki Sho, is represented by two relations (Lot 723 and Lot 1004). Yankee Rose (All American) has also seen success in Japan through her daughter, Liberty Island (USA) (Duramente {USA}), who was crowned the Champion 2-Year-Old and 3-Year-Old Filly in Japan. Lot 446 Dreamsicle (Starcraft {NZ}) is a half-sister to Yankee Rose.

Most represented sire

Snitzel narrowly leads the list of most represented sire in the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale with 28 entries, one ahead of I Am Invincible on 27. They are followed by Widden Stud’s Zoustar with 22 catalogued and the recently pensioned Exceed And Excel with 21 lots.

Gallery: Most represented sires in the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale

Meanwhile, the late Not A Single Doubt has 16 entries, while Lonhro has 14 and More Than Ready is represented by 13.

Leading sires by covers

Newgate Farm’s Russian Revolution leads the covering sires with 19 fillies or mares catalogued. His barn mates, Capitalist (13), Artorius (8) and In The Congo (14) are well-represented.

Darley’s Anamoe has proven popular, unsurprisingly given his credentials. He has 10 mares catalogued.

The recently retired Exceed And Excel has three catalogued.

Yarraman Park Stud’s I Am Invincible and Hellbent are also represented. Vinnie has five on offer, while the sire of Magic Time (Hellbent) has 11.

Coolmore’s Justify has nine mares in the catalogue while the exciting Home Affairs has 13.

Yulong’s Pierata has 10 catalogued. Other notable covering sires include Frankel (GB) with four mares and Snitzel with six on offer.

Coolmore Australia has announced that Shinzo, the Golden Slipper-winning colt by Snitzel and last season's Champion two-year-old, will commence his stud career at their esteemed facility in 2024. His service fee is set at $55,000 (inc GST).

Shinzo, a prodigious talent both on the track, clinched the G1 Golden Slipper in a stunning display of acceleration, beating Group 1 winners Cylinder, Militarize (Dundeel {NZ}), and Little Brose (Per Incanto {USA}). Colts dominated the finish in the $5 million juvenile feature that year, with the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained King's Gambit (I Am Invincible) running on for third ahead of his stablemates Don Corleone (Extreme Choice) and Empire Of Japan (Snitzel).

This victory secured him a Timeform rating of 120, making him the highest-rated two-year-old of the season.

Shinzo’s victory handed Chris Waller the richly desired Golden Slipper win that had, until then, eluded the Champion Trainer, while it was also a first success in the race for visiting British jockey Ryan Moore.

"He’s a very special horse, and we knew early on when he came into our system," Waller said. "He has a great temperament and is the most naturally gifted two-year-old I have ever trained. Combined with his impressive physique and pedigree, he stands out as an exceptionally desirable stallion prospect."

A blueblood, his dam Samaready (More Than Ready {USA}), who took out the G1 Blue Diamond S. in 2012, then the G1 Moir S. at three and also placed in the Golden Slipper., has also produced Shinzo’s full sister Exhilarates. Raced by Godolphin, Exhilarates was a multiple stakes winner and proved too good in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic in 2019.

Furthermore, Shinzo’s damsire, More Than Ready, has been an outstanding source of juvenile speed, siring two Slipper winners - Phelan Ready and Sebring.

Tom Magnier, principal of Coolmore Australia, also expressed his enthusiasm about Shinzo's addition to their roster.

"Snitzel is a four-time Champion sire of two-year-olds and one of the greatest stallions we have seen in Australia in the modern era," Magnier stated.

"We are delighted to stand his best two-year-old and best-bred son at stud. The Golden Slipper has an unmatched record as a sire-making race, and Shinzo possesses all the credentials we look for in a sire prospect, with an impeccable pedigree and incredible good looks."

Reflecting on Shinzo's journey, Magnier shared, "We have a great group of partners involved in his ownership and his Golden Slipper win was one of my fondest ever memories on a racetrack. Being foaled, raised, and broken in here at Coolmore, he was a special horse since the day he was born and we look forward to welcoming him back."

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

At A Glance

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Sixty of the 107 catalogued sold with the clearance rate currently sitting at 72 per cent. The gross of $1,203,250 is below the 2023 figure of $1,952,550 (133 lots sold from 191 catalogued).

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Currently, the average sits at $20,054 above the $14,681 achieved last year. The median sits at $15,000 far above the $8000 in 2023. However, the top price of $80,000 for Lot 66 pales to the $200,000 top-lot in 2023.

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The Victorian-based Archie Alexander under his Alexander Racing banner finished as the leading buyer spending $110,000 across three lots. Alexander spent an average of $36,667 and a median of $24,000.

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Blue Gum Farm were the leading vendor with eight of their nine offered totaling $265,000 and an average of $33,188 and a median of $26,000. They were also responsible for the top lot.

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Rosemont Stud’s Shamus Award was crowned the leading sire with four of his progeny selling for an aggregate of $154,000.

On Sunday, the 2024 Inglis Gold Sale took place at Oaklands. Out of the 102 yearlings listed at the time of writing, 60 were sold, resulting in a 72 per cent clearance rate. The sale grossed $1,203,250, with an average price of $20,054 and a median of $15,000.

The top lot, Lot 66, a colt sired by Newgate Farm's Tassort, was offered by Blue Gum Farm and sold for $80,000 to Trilogy Racing.

Currently, the gross is less than the $1,952,550 achieved last year for 191 lots and the top price of $200,000. However, the average of $14,681 and median of $8000 last year has risen.

Inglis’ Victorian Bloodstock Manager James Price reflected on the sale results with TTR AusNZ, “On face value the results are pleasing. There was robust competition on the horses that fitted the bill.

“To finish with an average of $20,000 and median of $15,000 when last year the median was $8000 was particularly pleasing for us.”

Commenting on the much-discussed tough economic conditions of this sales season, Price added, “The Inglis Gold Sale is a sale that serves primarily Victorian breeders, and it facilitates an avenue for them to sell their horses. However, whilst it was a smaller catalogue we don’t engage with buyers to any less degree.

“We, as employees of an auction house, have a list of clients that we need to call and try to engage in the sale and some choose to participate and some don’t. We feel satisfied that we have provided a good avenue for the vendors to sell.

“There is no escaping the economic conditions that we currently find ourselves in and the level of the market these horses fall into is mighty tough. Unfortunately, the cold hard facts are that not many yearlings sold today (Sunday) have provided their owner with a profit.”

Young sires

Newgate Farm’s first-season sire Tassort supplied the top lot of the 2024 Inglis Gold Sale. Lot 66 is the third foal from Viascon (Denman). She was a winner over 1250 metres and is the daughter of Tessamo (Tierce), a three-time winner and a half-sister to the brilliant Streama (Stratum).

Streama won 10 races, including the G1 Australian Oaks, the G1 Flight S, the G1 George Main S. and the G1 Doomben Cup. The colt was purchased by Trilogy.

Lot 57 by Yulong’s promising Alabama Express was also in demand. The colt offered by Ponderosa Park was purchased for $70,000 by Alexander Racing. He is the fourth foal from Staying Good, a daughter of So You Think (NZ). She was unraced but is from the family of the four-time Group 1 winner All Our Mob (What A Guest {Ire}).

Alabama Express is set to stand the 2024 season at a fee of $55,000 (inc GST).

Widden Stud’s freshman Dirty Work, a son of Written Tycoon, was represented by Lot 45. The colt was offered by Collingrove Stud and was sold to D Carrison for $75,000.

Lot 45 is the penultimate foal from Red Duchez (Dubleo {USA}). She was unplaced but is a half-sister to Oxford Poet (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), an eight-time winner, including of the Listed Winter S.

Oxford Poet additionally placed in the G3 Hall Mark S. and the Listed Luskin Star S.

All Victorian result

The Victorian-based Blue Gum finished the 2024 Inglis Gold Yearling Sale as the leading vendor with eight of their nine offered at an aggregate $265,000 and an average of $33,188 and a median of $26,000.

Blue Gum Farm also sold the top lot of the sale Lot 66, the Tassort colt for $80,000. In an all-Victorian result Rosemont Stud’s Shamus Award was crowned the leading sire with four of his progeny selling for an aggregate of $154,000.

The Ballarat-based Archie Alexander of Alexander Racing finished as the leading buyer. Spending $110,000 across three lots at an average of $36,667 and a median of $24,000.

Top Lots

Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos

David Ellis, representing Te Akau Racing, disclosed that Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) would soon be offered for public auction, leaving all viable options on the table.

This decision has ignited conversations within the racing community, with many wondering if the mare could surpass the Australian sales record for a breeding or racing prospect, currently held by Milanova (Danehill {USA}) at $5 million.

Table: Highest-priced mares sold in Australasia *prices in $AU

A review of the top 10 highest-priced mares sold at auction in Australia highlights a consistent trend: racetrack success is a key factor among elite mares offered off-the-track. As such, Imperatriz's impressive track record, coupled with her strong pedigree, positions her as an attractive proposition for potential buyers.

Considering these dynamics, one can only speculate on the potential price tag that Imperatriz could command, given her career best rating of 119 is three points higher than any of the mares featured in Australia's top 10 highest-priced list. Imperatriz, a Group 2 winner at two, secured 10 Group 1 victories across three seasons, with eight of these wins achieved at weight-for-age level, a record unmatched by any of the mares featured in the leading tables.

While ratings serve as a universal performance metric, determining the auction prices of elite mares involves a multitude of factors. If auction value were solely based on ratings, Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) would have commanded a price equal to Sunlight’s (Zoustar) $4.2 million price tag, given their matching career best rating of 116.

Montefilia, a four-time Group 1 winner over middle distance races, fetched almost a million dollars less than Sunlight, despite their equal ratings.

However, Sunlight's appeal to the marketplace was bolstered by her status as a precocious dual stakes-winning 2-year-old and a three-time Group 1-winning sprinter, sired by a highly sought-after stallion. Which is why Impertriz is such a unique gem.

With an unparalleled race record and a robust pedigree that allows for pairing with a wide range of top-tier stallions, it seems quite plausible that Imperatriz could surpass the record for the highest-priced mare sold directly from the racetrack in Australia.

A global commodity

When comparing the prices of top-tier mares in Australia against those in Europe and the US, the notable discrepancy in affordability becomes evident. Australia's highest-priced mare, Milanova, falls significantly short of the top 10 most expensive mares sold at breeding stock auctions in the US and Europe.

Experienced international bloodstock agent Sheamus Mills attributes this stark contrast in prices for premium mares to Australia's yearling market dynamics.

“Our yearling sales have a ceiling that means that it's just not financially viable to spend the sort of money that you can in Europe and America where they have a much higher ceiling on their yearling sales.

“Say with a mare like Alcohol Free, she's a prime example whereby if you breed her in Europe, you might get $4 or $5 million for a foal. If you breed her in Australia, history would tell you it's very, very hard to break through a million dollars.”

In the US, the 2023 sales average at top-shelf yearling auctions like Fasig-Tipton’s Saratoga Select Yearling Sale and Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale were up to three times higher than those in Australia.

Similarly, Europe’s premier yearling sale, Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book 1) boasted average prices over double that of Australian equivalents reflecting the constraints within the Australian market.

Despite the comparative modesty of the Australian yearling sale market in contrast to Europe and North America, the accessibility for international buyers to acquire top-tier Australian mares has never been more favourable.

John Moynihan, prominent US based bloodstock agent, asserts that in today's globalised breeding landscape, elite mares hold substantial value worldwide, irrespective of their geographical origin.

“When I first started coming to Australia, a lot of your successful families were started in America. Australian breeders came to America, bought an American speed filly, took her to Australia to breed her to those Australian speed sires and lo and behold they end up producing world class horses down under.

“Pound for pound, horse for horse, if a mare accomplishes those major Group 1 races either by winning them or placing in them as 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds and even older mares, I think the class of those mares is exceptional regardless of the jurisdiction.”

International appeal

Imperatriz stands out not only for her exceptional racing career but also for her broad global appeal as a broodmare.

As a daughter of I Am Invincible, who himself is a son of Invincible Spirit (Ire), and out of a Shamardal mare (Berimbau), Imperatriz is free from the bloodlines of Danehill (USA) and Sadler's Wells (USA). With compatibility across the current top 10 global stallions, Imperatriz holds immense breeding potential that transcends geographical boundaries.

Notably, she possesses strong linkages with Europe’s reigning Champion Sire, Frankel (GB), who boasts a remarkable 75 per cent stakes horses to runners rate when paired with mares by sons of Invincible Spirit. An example of this successful cross is the stakes-winning filly Al Asifah (GB). Her dam, Aneen (Ire), is sired by Lawman (Fr), a son of Invincible Spirit, and she too descends from a daughter of Shamardal (USA), mirroring Imperatriz’s ancestral line.

Dubawi (Ire), when bred with maternal granddaughters of Shamardal, has also seen success, achieving a 50 per cent stakes horses rate, including the stakes-winning filly National Dance (GB).

Gallery: Imperatriz's pedigree has global appeal with many top international stallions proven to cross well with her lineage

Similarly, Dark Angel (Ire) has proven successful when paired with granddaughters of Invincible Spirit, as demonstrated by the achievements of his four-time Group 1 winning son Battaash (GB), who shares the same cross with Imperatriz.

In the US, Tapit (USA) and his son Constitution (USA) have a strong affinity with Imperatriz's lineage each boasting a 100 per cent winning strike rate when mated with mares by Shamardal, including Group 3 winner Tusk (USA) (Tapit {USA}). American Pharaoh (USA) and Justify (USA) have both proved successful when paired with granddaughters of Invincible Spirit, while sons of Curlin (USA) have an affinity with Invincible Spirt mares.

Speaking of Imperatriz, Moynihan agrees that her internationally recognised bloodlines will appeal to the global market.

“She has the race record, but she also has a pedigree that a lot of international breeders are extremely familiar with, both on the sire side and the dam side.

“Shamardal has been a great influence in Europe and in Australia. Invincible Spirit has been a great influence in Europe and Australia as well".

Moynihan understands firsthand the challenge of acquiring mares of exceptional quality. In 2016, he purchased Group 1 winner Bounding (Lonhro) for $1.9 million from the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on behalf of Stonestreet Farm. Bounding's colt by Curlin (USA) later fetched an impressive US$4.1 million (AU$5.6 million) at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Additionally, he was the underbidder on triple Group 1 winner Sunlight when she sold for $4.2 million to Tom Magnier at the 2020 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. The Gold Coast has been a hot shopping spot for Moynihan.

“I think everybody that has a serious broodmare band or they're serious about breeding nice horses would have to take a serious look at her (Imperatriz). I think that she's one of the best prospects that has come through Australia in recent times.

“A few years ago we tried to buy Sunlight. We targeted her as a mare that would have an amazing amount of international appeal no matter where she called home.

“It's so hard for those kind of fillies and mares to accomplish what they did on the racetrack, they're such a rare item that from a breeding standpoint, people look at them and they dream that if they can reproduce themselves in their offspring, they are going to sell extremely well, they’re probably going to race extremely well and that’s the ultimate quality that you're going for”.

Does physical location matter?

Moynihan believes the right horse will sell well on any platform, but there's nothing like a physical auction when it comes to offering rare collectors items like Imperatriz.

“If the horse is of a certain amount of quality, they’re going to bring plenty of money, no matter what format they get sold on.

“Although, if the people that own her are serious about really wanting to sell her, I think that they're going to get the most money selling her in a physical auction environment.

“When a mare shows up physically in an auction, as opposed to an online auction egos get involved. People can see and they can touch. They have time to validate, they have time to see the mare, so they get their competitive juices get flowing and they see who they're going to have to bid against.

“I think those things set up for special horses to bring more money in that type of format than say maybe a digital one”.

Leading European-based agent Hubie de Burgh concurs, emphasising that showcasing highly-credentialed mares is not only about their individual merits but also about promoting the industry on a broader scale.

“I think the online market is a great facility, from top end to bottom end. Personally, I love the public auction side for the big Group 1 mare, because it puts bloodstock at the top of the headlines within our own industry and on a global basis.

“A filly bought for $250,000 as a yearling, turns out to be an outstanding race mare and then goes into the ring and makes $4 million. That's all written up, and everyone who looks at that thinks, well gee whiz, I could be the one doing that next time.”

Drawing parallels to another high-profile sale of the $10 million Winx filly sold just weeks ago at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Mills emphasises the uniqueness of Imperatriz's offering, setting the stage for an unprecedented bidding war and he believes Imperatriz is poised to make waves in the market.

“I think we're seeing two horses offered that are very, very unique within a few months of each other. They’re offering two horses I’ve not seen in the last 20 years.

“I can understand whichever way they would go with this horse. I think that the pool of people to buy would be relatively small.

“Take her to Port Augusta and parade her, and you'd still get the same result because those who are truly going to be interested will make the effort,” said Mills.

Speaking of putting a figure on Imperatriz, Mills was equally as optimistic highlighting that the mare could easily break the Australian sales record, but it will ultimately come down to the competition at hand.

“I think you've probably got a lot of people probably doing their homework and due diligence with the hope of buying her. I think to be realistic, you'd want to have $4 million minimum in the locker to even bother getting in the car and going to look at her.

“I've always argued that there is very little between a $2 million and a $4 million horse. The $4 million horse generally has the same credentials as the $2 million horse, but the former has two buyers who just won’t drop off.

“I think it just depends on the two people involved. I really think this mare could sell for $4.5 million or could sell for $8.5 million just as easily."