Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
On Tuesday, 110 out of the 200 catalogued lots were sold with a gross recorded at $5,220,000. In comparison, last year saw 97 of the 202 catalogued lots on Day 1 sell for $4,504,500.
The average price sits at $47,455, slightly above the $46,174 recorded in on the opening day in 2023. However, the median price of $29,000 is narrowly below last year’s figure of $30,000.
The top price of $400,000 is lower than the top price of $750,000 last year. The clearance rate sits at 67 per cent (56 per cent in 2023).
Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) is presently the leading buyer, having purchased four yearlings at a gross of $665,000, including the sale topper Lot 1388.
Baramul Stud was Tuesday’s leading vendor, selling 10 yearlings for a gross of $1,095,000, including the sale-topper.
Widden Stud’s Zoustar finished Tuesday’s session as the leading sire, with his three progeny offered filling the top three placings and grossing $950,000.
The leading buying location on Tuesday was New South Wales, accounting for 28 lots with a total spend of $1,430,500.
Bowditch declares opening session satisfactory
Tuesday’s opening session of the 2024 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale saw a top price achieved of $400,000 by Lot 1388, a Zoustar colt presented by Baramul Stud. At time the time of writing the clearance rate sits at 67.07 per cent.
Lot 1388 - Zoustar x No Evidence Needed (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch chatted to The Thoroughbred Report in the aftermath of the sale, “Tuesday’s trading was in-line with expectations. We know the National Yearling Sale always has a softer clearance rate than most other sales we run.
“The results are satisfactory at this point. I think if you had a well-conformed, nicely bred horse that vetted well in the ring you were rewarded. I felt the sale had significant participation in a day where it was a selective market. There were some fantastic results. Early on we had an Admire Mars colt make $140,000 and a Tassort filly sell for $175,000, very, very strong results.
“On top of that, the three Zoustars, the I Am Invincible and the So You Think sold very well.”
Te Akau purchased the sale topper Lot 1388 for $400,000 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bowditch was thrilled by the participation from the Asian market, “It was fantastic. We’ve marketed this sale very hard towards our clients in Asia. David Chester and Nicky Wong have done a fantastic job travelling around and garnering support for the sale.
“We had buyers from Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and the Philippines. The Phillipines purchased 18 horses today (Tuesday), so that was fantastic. We also had great participation from New Zealand, led by David Ellis and the great team at Te Akau Racing. So, it was a session with very solid international support.
“There were some fantastic results. Early on we had an Admire Mars colt make $140,000 and a Tassort filly sell for $175,000, very, very strong results.” - Barry Bowditch
Heading into Wednesday’s conclusion, Bowditch said, “We’ve got some quality horses to sell again tomorrow (Wednesday). There’s less horses in Book 1 tomorrow than there were today but I think we can increase the clearance rate. So, I think we’d be pleased where it’s ended up in what can only be seen as a tricky market.”
Baramul stars
Baramul Stud celebrated a fantastic opening session, supplying the two top-priced lots, two yearlings by Zoustar in Lot 1388 at $400,000 and Lot 1297 for $350,000. They also filled the fifth podium with a stunning So You Think (NZ) filly, Lot 1303.
Lot 1388, a colt by Zoustar, boasts an impressive pedigree. He hails from the outstanding Shamardal (USA) mare, No Evidence Needed, a victress of the G2 Let’s Elope S. and dual Group 1 placegetter. The talented mare has proven to be a fantastic broodmare; her son Move To Strike (I Am Invincible) is a dual winner and claimed the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce, while her Snitzel gelding Discharged won five races and was Group 2-placed.
The colt was snapped up by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) for $400,000. Ellis, who knows the family well having sourced Move To Strike, raced him in his tangerine colours of Te Akau Racing to success in a Group 1.
Lot 1388 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Baramul Stud's elegant and well-related Zoustar filly, Lot 1297, was sold to The Two Old Men Syndicate for $350,000. She's the seventh foal from the winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Fit And Ready, dam of stakes winners Outrageous (All Too Hard), Very Tempting (Redoute’s Choice), and the Group 2-placed Temptaction (All Too Hard).
Lot 1297 was quickly followed by Lot 1303, a grey filly by So You Think (NZ), who was secured for $180,000 by Singapore’s Eric Koh. Fullazz (Redoute's Choice), the dam of Lot 1303, is a four-time winner, including the Listed Debutante S., and the dam of G1 Rosehill Guineas winner and young sire D’Argento, alongside Fullazaboot (Sepoy), and Diamonds Choice (So You Think {NZ}).
Luke McDonald, Baramul Stud’s racing manager, commented, "Lot 1297 is by Zoustar, and when you have a Zoustar in the sale, everyone looks at them. She stood out in our draft, so to fetch $350,000, I think it was rewarding but she deserved it.
Lot 1297 - Zoustar x Fit and Ready (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She (Lot 1297) has the pedigree to match, and very well-related to the stakes performers out of a Golden Slipper family, so for her to come to a June sale, she deserves to be going close to the top of the sale.
“The filly ticked all the boxes and I think the buyer will reap the rewards later down the track, if they give her a bit of time.”
Commenting on the So You Think (Lot 1303), McDonald added, “She is gorgeous. She’s from an old family that always produces a good horse. Lot 1303 came to this sale because she was a little bit behind the speed in January, and being a staying physical, we thought she would be well-suited at the Magic Millions National Sale, and another one that would stand out.
“She’s (Lot 1297) has the pedigree to match, and very well-related to the stakes performers out of a Golden Slipper family.” - Luke McDonald
“She’s gone into the ring and fetched good money ($180,000) but again, she deserved it. She ticked all the boxes like the Zoustar. Lot 1303 has done a good job to get here in good order, and she’s such a beautiful, elegant filly. When she walks, she moves with purpose. I’d say she’s going to be getting over some distance like her full brother (D’Argento) and win a few races.”
Speaking about Tuesday’s session from a vendor's perspective, McDonald said, “I’m very happy. Magic Millions have done a good job. I think what I’ve noticed is the majority of vendors actually are meeting the market. They’re not getting too ambitious, and I think there’s a lot of value to be found here for buyers.
Luke McDonald | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“If we (vendors) keep meeting the market, they’re going to continue to sell.
Rossiter reflects on remarkable sale result
The demand for progeny from Newgate Farm’s young stallion, Tassort, shows no signs of slowing down. This season, the Group 1-producing son of Brazen Beau has achieved impressive results, with top sales reaching $380,000 and $350,000. On Tuesday, he added another fantastic result for his supporters when Lot 1260 sold for $175,000 to Norman Gardener.
Lot 1260, presented by At Last Farm and bred by Anita Rossiter, is the seventh foal from County Tale, a Tale Of The Cat (USA) mare. County Tale won four races, including three consecutive victories over distances from 1010 to 1100 metres. Three of her foals to race have been winners, including Speedy King (Toorak Toff), who has won seven races with prizemoney exceeding $1 million.
Lot 1260 - Tassort x County Tale (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Additionally, the daughter of Tassort comes from the family of Chinny Boom (Spirit Of Boom), winner of the Listed Helen Coughlan S. at Eagle Farm last Saturday. Chinny Boom has won nine races in total, with earnings of over $650,000.
Rossiter works on nightwatch at Newgate.
The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Rossiter to chat about the remarkable result. “It is a very hard feeling to describe when you take a horse to the sales and achieve this result. You’re thinking, you’ll be happy with $25,000 or you’ll take her home (Lot 1260) and race her; but she just kept going higher and higher. My thoughts turned to the fact that I would not be taking her home.
“Then she landed on $175,000, and I just walked out. It was a very hard feeling to process. You breed to sell, that’s why people breed, or to race themselves, so it was a very, very good result financially for us.”
“Then she landed on $175,000, and I just walked out. It was a very hard feeling to process. You breed to sell, that’s why people breed, or to race themselves, so it was a very, very good result financially for us.” - Anita Rossiter
There was some wonderful synergy in the result. Rossiter, a former Godolphin employee, arrived at Henry Field’s Newgate Farm around the same time as the Darley-bred and Godolphin-raced Tassort. Rossiter explained, “Both Tassort and myself came from Godolphin originally and arrived at Newgate around the same time. I did my first night at Newgate, and Tassort was there in the box. I thought, ‘We came together, he’s bred in the purple, and he’s a beautiful stallion,’ so he really was the obvious choice for me to send County Tale to.”
Rossiter added, “I hope Tassort goes on to become the next ‘big stallion,’ so to speak. I would also like to thank Newgate for just being so wonderful. They’re just terrific.”
Kiwis active
Kiwis were active across Tuesday at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. Young gun Bevan Smith, of Bevan Smith Bloodstock, celebrated his first Australian Group 1 winner with Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree {USA}), who he co-purchased with Kelly Van Dyk’s Prima Park. Following Warmonger's victory in last Saturday’s G1 Queensland Derby, Smith was keen to reinvest in the market.
Early in the session, Smith struck for Lot 1214, a Tarzino (NZ) colt from the Red Giant (USA) mare Ashima (NZ), from the draft of Westbury Stud. Smith signed under his Bevan Smith Bloodstock banner, alongside the young Kiwi trainer Steven Cole of Steven Cole Racing.
Speaking to TTR AusNZ after purchasing, Smith said, “He (Lot 1214) was a lovely balanced horse; he walked with great purpose and covered the ground efficiently. He’s a Derby style of horse; he’ll develop into a really nice 3-year-old type. I’ve bought him for a good young trainer in New Zealand named Steven Cole.”
Lot 1214 - Tarzino (NZ) x Ashima (NZ) (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Later in the session, the pair combined again to land Lot 1316, a Dundeel (NZ) colt offered by Arrowfield Stud. The well-related colt is the sixth living foal from the Redoute’s Choice mare Grito, a half-sister to Sung (Anabaa {USA}), dam of the Group 1 winner Microphone, and Shouts (Strategic), who produced the G1 Canterbury S. victor Holler. Grito is the dam of the Group 3-placed Kazuhiko (Deep Impact {Jpn}), and the dual winner Showsumgrit (Written Tycoon).
Also active in the market and eager to reinvest in the Magic Millions sale ring, after Te Akau Racing’s Champion Mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) fetched $6.6 million at last week’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, was David Ellis CNZM.
Ellis has found much success at the Magic Millions National Sale, having purchased the outstanding G1 Zabeel Classic victress Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) for $60,000 from the Westbury Stud draft in 2019.
“He (Lot 1214) was a lovely balanced horse; he walked with great purpose and covered the ground efficiently. He’s a Derby style of horse.” - Bevan Smith
Striking early, Ellis, signing under David Ellis (BAFNZ), secured Lot 1232, a Hellbent filly for $57,500 from Lincoln Farms. The filly is the third living foal from the Ready’s Image (USA) mare Beside You, a three-time winner and from the family of the dual Listed winner Vintage Brut (GB).
Ellis then signed for a filly from Newhaven Park, sired by the former Te Akau Racing star, Cool Aza Beel (NZ). Lot 1294, purchased for $67,500, is from the winning Redoute’s Choice mare Fiction, a daughter of the G1 Golden Slipper winner Polar Success (Success Express {USA}) and half-sister to the Listed victress Lillemor (Hallowed Crown).
The most expensive of Ellis’ purchases came later in the session when he paid $140,000 for Lot 1353, a filly by the Champion Sire Written Tycoon offered by Yulong and then lit up the ring handing over $400,000 to Baramul Stud for Lot 1388, a Zoustar half-brother to Te Akau Racing’s Group 1 winner Move To Strike (I Am Invincible)
David Ellis | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Lot 1353 is the third foal from the More Than Ready (USA) mare Lijiang, who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1-placed Brazuca, and the 10-time winner Mr Utopia (Elusive Quality HUSA}).
New Zealand buyers walked with eight lots at a total spend of $894,000, and buying at an average $111,750.
Trade strong for the 'right horse'
There was strong competition for yearlings deemed to have ticked all the boxes for investors. Nick Taylor’s Riverstone Lodge made its Magic Millions National Yearling Sale debut and achieved a strong result with Lot 1347, a colt by the Widden Stud-based superstar Zoustar.
Lot 1347 was sold for $200,000 to Australian Bloodstock. Taylor told TTR AusNZ, “He’s a beautiful colt. He arrived at the farm already in amazing condition from Mick (Malone) and Pauline (Alix) and the team at North. It was such an honour to be able to present a quality colt carrying that brand for myself and the farm (Riverstone Lodge). He was purchased by great judges in Australian Bloodstock, and he will get every chance to be successful.”
The well-related filly is the first foal from the Fastnet Rock mare Ladybeetle, a full sister to G1 George Ryder S. winner Dreamforce, and a half-sister to the Group 3-placed Deep Chill (Wandjina). Ladybeetle is a daughter of the G1 Coolmore Classic and G1 Queensland Oaks victress Eskimo Queen (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}).
Lot 1347 - Zoustar x Ladybeetle (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The astute syndicator Joe O’Neill of Prime Thoroughbreds has a knack for finding good horses at fair prices. He looks to have struck gold by purchasing a colt by Yarraman Park’s Champion Sire I Am Invincible for $200,000 from Attunga Stud.
Lot 1357 was the sole offering by his Champion Sire and is the first foal from the Sebring mare Loretta, a half-sister to Meuse (Snitzel), a Listed winner. Additionally, Loretta is from the outstanding family of Redoute’s Choice, Rubick, Manhattan Rain, and others.
Also, looking like an astute piece of buying from the Group 1-winning Cranbourne-based horseman Lloyd Kennewell, under his Kennewell Racing banner and Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) when they passed over $100,000 to secure Lot 1273 from Emirates Park. The filly, by Arrowfield’s four-time Champion Sire Snitzel, is the sixth foal from the Dream Ahead (USA) mare Dream Cirque.
“She looked a typical, sharp Snitzel filly, with nice scope for improvement," Kennewell told TTR AusNZ.
“She's from a very good farm and was of unbelievable value. She was a no-brainer to add to our purchasers this year.”
Lloyd Kennewell
Dream Cirque, although unraced, is a proven producer. Her second foal, Lightsaber, a son of Zoustar, won the G2 Sires’ Produce S. and the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude and was placed in the G1 Australian Guineas. Lightsaber stands at Darling View Thoroughbreds in Western Australia and served 100 mares in his debut season last year.
Lot 1273 has a half-sister by Wootton Bassett (GB), born last November, while her dam visited the dual Group 1 winner Home Affairs.
Asian presence strong
Hong Kong-based buyers struck early in Tuesday’s session, securing Lot 1204 for $140,000. This well-built colt by Admire Mars (Jpn), a triple Group 1-winning son of Daiwa Major (Jpn), shuttles to Arrowfield Stud. Lot 1204, presented by Berkeley Park Stud, is the second foal from the Al Maher mare Al Pheroz, a winner over 1400 metres. Her first foal, Fools Play (Supido), is a race winner, and she foaled a colt by Zousain last November.
Local trainer Adam Campton, representing the Hong Kong-based Strike Thoroughbreds, told Magic Millions, “Lucky to get him. He’s a lovely colt for some great supporters of ours.
“We’ll make a decision on whether he’ll head to Hong Kong or stay with us and race in Australia. We’ll leave that for a few months and get him into the paddock. The Magic Millions National Yearling Sale is one we target. I’ve had a bit of luck here, buying some handy horses and even some horses that have been vetted for Hong Kong already from here.”
Lot 1204 - Admire Mars (Jpn) x Al Pheroz (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Not long after, another son of Admire Mars (Jpn), Lot 1322, caught the attention of Singapore-based buyer Eric Koh. The bay colt, offered by Bowness Stud, was knocked down for $100,000. Lot 1322 is the first foal from the dual-winner High Tango, a daughter of High Chaparral (Ire) and a half-sister to the six-time winner and Listed-placed Egyptian Bullet (Bullet Train {GB}).
Bowness Stud also produced a pleasing result with Lot 1257, a colt by their resident budding sire D’Argento. Lot 1257 sold for $75,000 to the Philippines-based Jun Almeda.
The Hong Kong-based Magus Equine went to $65,000 to secure Westbury Stud’s Lot 1255, a colt by its resident sire El Roca and from the Group 1-producing mare Concert Girl (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Eric Koh
Overall, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines accounted for 34 purchases, with the Philippines leading the way with 18 purchases at a gross of $395,000.
Top lots
| Lot 1388 - Zoustar x No Evidence Needed | C | $400,000 |
| Lot 1297 - Zoustar x Fit and Ready | F | $350,000 |
| Lot 1347 - Zoustar x Ladybeetle | C | $200,000 |
| Lot 1357 - I Am Invincible x Loretta | C | $200,000 |
| Lot 1303 - So You Think x Fullazz | F | $180,000 |
| Lot 1398 - So You Think x Paris Match | C | $180,000 |
| Lot 1260 - Tassort x County Tale | F | $175,000 |
| Lot 1204 - Admire Mars x Al Pheroz | C | $140,000 |
| Lot 1353 - Written Tycoon x Lijiang | F | $140,000 |
| Lot 1214 - Tarzino x Ashima | C | $110,000 |
Top buyers
| David Ellis (BAFNZ) | 4 | $166,250 | $400,000 | $665,000 |
| Eric Koh | 5 | $83,000 | $180,000 | $415,000 |
| The Two Old Men Syndicate | 1 | $350,000 | $350,000 | $350,000 |
| Australian Bloodstock | 1 | $200,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| Prime Thoroughbreds | 1 | $200,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| Steven Cole Racing Stables/Bevan Smith Bloodstock | 2 | $92,500 | $110,000 | $185,000 |
| Australian Bloodstock/Nick Ryan Racing | 1 | $180,000 | $180,000 | $180,000 |
| Norman Gardner | 1 | $175,000 | $175,000 | $175,000 |
| Bing Tecson | 7 | $22,571 | $35,000 | $158,000 |
| Strike Thoroughbreds | 1 | $140,000 | $140,000 | $140,000 |
Vendors by aggregate
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 10 | $109,500 | $400,000 | $1,095,000 |
| Riverstone Lodge, Blandford, NSW | 10 | $44,450 | $200,000 | $444,500 |
| Attunga Stud, Scone, NSW | 8 | $53,000 | $200,000 | $424,000 |
| Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW | 8 | $46,375 | $75,000 | $371,000 |
| Bowness Stud, Young, NSW | 9 | $40,111 | $100,000 | $361,000 |
| Westbury Stud Ltd, Karaka, NZ | 4 | $80,000 | $110,000 | $320,000 |
| Yulong, Nagambie, Vic | 3 | $74,000 | $140,000 | $222,000 |
| Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 7 | $30,286 | $50,000 | $212,000 |
| Raheen Stud, Warwick, Qld | 2 | $100,000 | $180,000 | $200,000 |
| Emirates Park, Murrurundi, NSW | 4 | $44,500 | $100,000 | $178,000 |
Vendors by average (3 or more sold)
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 10 | $109,500 | $400,000 | $1,095,000 |
| Westbury Stud Ltd, Karaka, NZ | 4 | $80,000 | $110,000 | $320,000 |
| Yulong, Nagambie, Vic | 3 | $74,000 | $140,000 | $222,000 |
| Attunga Stud, Scone, NSW | 8 | $53,000 | $200,000 | $424,000 |
| Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW | 8 | $46,375 | $75,000 | $371,000 |
| Emirates Park, Murrurundi, NSW | 4 | $44,500 | $100,000 | $178,000 |
| Riverstone Lodge, Blandford, NSW | 10 | $44,450 | $200,000 | $444,500 |
| Bowness Stud, Young, NSW | 9 | $40,111 | $100,000 | $361,000 |
| Sullivan Bloodstock, Kialla East, Vic | 3 | $40,000 | $80,000 | $120,000 |
| Newhaven Park, Boorowa, NSW | 4 | $37,375 | $67,500 | $149,500 |
Sires by aggregate
| Zoustar | 3 | $316,667 | $400,000 | $950,000 |
| So You Think | 2 | $180,000 | $180,000 | $360,000 |
| Admire Mars | 3 | $98,667 | $140,000 | $296,000 |
| D'Argento | 8 | $34,500 | $75,000 | $276,000 |
| Tassort | 3 | $70,000 | $175,000 | $210,000 |
| I Am Invincible | 1 | $200,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 2 | $97,500 | $140,000 | $195,000 |
| The Autumn Sun | 4 | $37,750 | $50,000 | $151,000 |
| Trapeze Artist | 3 | $37,333 | $60,000 | $112,000 |
| Tarzino | 1 | $110,000 | $110,000 | $110,000 |
Sires by average (3 or more sold)
| Zoustar | 3 | $316,667 | $400,000 | $950,000 |
| Admire Mars | 3 | $98,667 | $140,000 | $296,000 |
| Tassort | 3 | $70,000 | $175,000 | $210,000 |
| The Autumn Sun | 4 | $37,750 | $50,000 | $151,000 |
| Trapeze Artist | 3 | $37,333 | $60,000 | $112,000 |
| Zousain | 3 | $35,833 | $50,000 | $107,500 |
| D'Argento | 8 | $34,500 | $75,000 | $276,000 |
| Cool Aza Beel | 3 | $33,167 | $67,500 | $99,500 |
| Hellbent | 3 | $32,500 | $57,500 | $97,500 |
| Castelvecchio | 4 | $23,500 | $75,000 | $94,000 |