Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
The gross of $6,723,500 on the first day was lower than in 2024 thanks to a smaller number of lots sold (137 in 2025 compared to 146 in 2024). The gross in 2024 on the opening day was $7,476,500. At the end of the day’s selling, the clearance rate was 71.7 per cent, down from 73.7 per cent at the same point last year.
The average of $49,077 was only slightly down on last year’s day 1 average of $51,209 whilst the median reached $40,000 up from Day 1’s median of $35,000 last year. The overall sale’s median from 2024 was $40,000.
The day's top lot by Written Tycoon was sold by Yulong Stud to China’s Wei Jiaoqi for $260,000, down from the 2024 top price of $400,000. However, last year’s top price was a record for a filly in this sale’s history.
Proven stallions were popular with So You Think (NZ) leading the sires by gross at $460,000 for four yearlings sold, while Written Tycoon topped the averages (2 or more sold) at $148,000.
Ryan Hill Racing was the most prolific buyer on Day 1, purchasing five yearlings, while the leading buyer by gross was Macdonald Gluyas Racing who purchased three yearlings for $265,000.
Mill Park Stud were the most successful vendors by gross on Day 1 - selling 12 yearlings for $1 million whilst Yulong led the averages with four yearlings sold at an average of $93,000.
Last year’s day 1 saw 15 yearlings make six figures, and in 2025, there were 16 yearlings who hit that benchmark figure.
Median rises as does confidence
The median for Day 1 of the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale rose from $35,000 at the same point last year to $40,000 this year. There was a slight drop in average between the two years, but this is likely a reflection of the difference in the top lots between the two years. In 2024, the top lot of Day 1 made $400,000, a record price for a filly in this sale’s history, while in 2025, the top price for the first day was $260,000.
“Having an increased median is a pleasing result which shows the strength in the top half of the market. We started the day slowly, and I think that was to do with buyers finding confidence in the market,” said Barry Bowditch.
“Having an increased median is a pleasing result which shows the strength in the top half of the market.” - Barry Bowditch.
“The horses that buyers found most appealing were later in the day, and as they entered the ring, the general confidence rose and with that we saw the clearance rate and the median rise. If we can continue the same vibe tomorrow we’ll get a reasonable result.
“There has been a good cross section of buyers, with strong participation from locals, as well as interstate and international buyers playing a part. Vendors are willing to meet the market, so it’s been a genuine marketplace and that also brings confidence. Many buyers have good lists of horses for tomorrow’s sale, and we should see some of those key numbers continue to pick up.”
Written Tycoon filly heads to China
The top lot of day 1 was Lot 109, a Written Tycoon filly who was sold by Yulong for $260,000 to the bid of China’s Wei Jiaoqi. “She’s a good filly and being by Written Tycoon who is an outstanding stallion, she stood out in this catalogue. She was well found with plenty of interest and a lot of veterinary action, which all adds up to a nice result,” said Yulong’s Vin Cox.
“We are happy with our results so far as we are in front of the clearance rate.”
Lot 109 is the second foal of unraced Dubawi (Ire) mare Saaryaa (Ire) whose first foal is an unraced Frankel {GB}) colt. Saaryaa was a 50,000 gns (AU$107,000) purchase by A Elliot as agent at the Tattersalls 2020 July Sale, and is a half-sister to G3 UAE Oaks-placed Feedyah (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}) and Listed placed Red Mist (GB) (Frankel {GB}). It is the family of Fiorente (Ire) and Tom Melbourne (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}).
Lot 109 - Written Tycoon x Saaryaa (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The buyer also purchased a Written Tycoon colt for $200,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Mill Park a compelling reason for Hedge
Bloodstock agent Suman Hedge, along with Clarken Bloodstock and Rob Chapman, spent $240,000 on Mill Park Stud’s So You Think (NZ) colt, Lot 25, who was the second top lot of the day.
“He’s a really nice horse. We identified him early as one of the better colts of the sale. He’s a full brother to Peltzer and another stakes-placed horse in Madison Kate, and he came off a very good farm, so we had a lot of confidence in him,” said Suman Hedge.
The So You Think colt from Miss Otto (Elusive Quality) is a full brother to G2 Stan Fox Stakes winner Peltzer who earned over $1 million and now stands at Twin Hills Stud.
Lot 25 - So You Think (NZ) x Miss Otto (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“He’s a medium sized colt, a good mover who has coped with the week well. Rob Chapman, leading businessman in South Australia and a former president of the Adelaide Crows, purchased him and he races a lot of horses locally with South Australian trainers.
“We thought he’s by a proven stallion who leaves a nice horse, and we knew the mating had worked before. Mill Park Stud is one of the best farms, continually churning out the best horses which is compelling for us, and we’ve bought a few from them.”
Suman Hedge | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Also from Mill Park's draft on day 1, Suman Hedge purchased Lot 105, an Extreme Warrior filly for $40,000 in conjunction with Travis Doudle, and Lot 172, a Wild Ruler filly for $50,000 in conjunction with Williams Racing.
“The sale is very strong for the popular horses, then the others are struggling a bit but hopefully over the two days of the sale, the clearance rate improves as people reset. We’ve been happy with the quality horses and found a lot of horses who were on our list, but the results reflect the marketplace at the moment.”
Mill Park Stud leads the vendors
With all 12 of their lots through the ring on Day 1 selling, at an average of $85,900, Mill Park Stud led the day by gross. It would seem that many buyers have been paying attention to their stellar record of producing Group 1 winners who include Goldrush Guru (American Pharoah {USA}), Benedetta (Hellbent) and 16 others.
“We are very happy with how the sale went for Mill Park today. We brought some horses here that we thought would be well-received with lovely types and pedigrees and most sold above our expectations,” said Mill Park’s Chris Watson.
“We are very happy with how the sale went for Mill Park today. We brought some horses here that we thought would be well received with lovely types and pedigrees and most sold above our expectations.” - Chris Watson
“We were pleasantly surprised, as we thought leading into the sale that it would probably be very similar to the rest of the sales around the year and that was the case. If you have a nice type you’ll be rewarded, but if there are issues you get found out. The buying bench is more selective than in past years, so that’s a situation all vendors are facing.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with Magic Millions who have put together a terrific buying bench. They might be more selective, but they are certainly willing to pay well for good quality horses.”
Chris Watson
Mill Park’s record may improve again on the weekend. “We have Benedetta off the farm running in the William Reid. It’s a race that is well deserved for her and would be great to see her add another Group 1 to her resume.”
Young sires with runners prove popular
While buyers stuck to the proven sires such as Written Tycoon, Harry Angel (Ire), and So You Think, there were several second season sires (whose first crop are 2-year-olds) among the top 10 by average.
Bivouac sold three yearlings at an average of $115,000 to be third by average overall. Kavanagh Racing purchased Mill Park’s Lot 64, a colt from Group 3-placed winner Pimm’s Party (Street Boss {USA}) for $170,000. He was the fifth top lot of the sale and is from the family of Mill Park Stud’s Group 1 winner Run Fox Run (Foxwedge). Lot 84 also made six figures, being a colt sold by Merricks Station and purchased by Shane McGrath Bloodstock and St Kilda Lodge for $130,000. He is a half-brother to G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Run Naan (Makfi {GB}) and recent Hong Kong winner Dragon Star (Pride Of Dubai).
Lot 64 - Bivouac x Pimm's Party (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bivouac has two Group 2 winners in his first crop, G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes winner Intention (NZ), and G2 Silver Slipper winner Beiwacht who will run in Saturday's G1 Golden Slipper.
Tagaloa, who had his first winner last week, made the top 10 sires with two yearlings sold at an average of $50,000, while Anders snuck in at 10th place with five yearlings sold at an average of $45,400.
Top 10 Lots
| 109 | Yulong | Ch. | F | Written Tycoon | Saaryaa (Ire) | Wei Jiaoqi | China | $ 260,000 |
| 25 | Mill Park Stud | B. | C | So You Think (NZ) | Miss Otto | Clarken Bloodstock/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/Rob Chapman | SA | $ 240,000 |
| 149 | Baramul Stud | B. | C | Ole Kirk | Statuesquely | Ohukia Lodge | New Zealand | $ 180,000 |
| 200 | Baramul Stud | Br. | F | Wootton Bassett (GB) | Victoria Road | Strawberry Hill Stud | NSW | $ 180,000 |
| 64 | Mill Park Stud | Ch. | C | Bivouac | Pimm's Party | Kavanagh Racing | VIC | $ 170,000 |
| 90 | Bowness Stud | Ch. | C | Harry Angel (Ire) | Resplendence | Strike Thoroughbreds | Hong Kong | $ 160,000 |
| 153 | Baramul Stud | B. | F | Toronado (Ire) | Submissive | Cape Schanck Stud | VIC | $ 160,000 |
| 132 | Willaroon Thoroughbreds | B. | C | The Autumn Sun | Shop Til I Drop (NZ) | Belhus Racing/John Price Bloodstock | WA | $ 150,000 |
| 147 | Mill Park Stud | B. | C | Harry Angel (Ire) | Star Stopper | Macdonald Gluyas Racing | SA | $ 150,000 |
| 84 | Merricks Station | B. | C | Bivouac | Raneen (NZ) | Shane McGrath Bloodstock/St Kilda Lodge | NSW | $ 130,000 |
Vendors by gross
| Mill Park Stud | 16 | 12 | 4 | - | $ 1,031,000 | $ 85,917 |
| Baramul Stud | 24 | 12 | 3 | 9 | $ 952,500 | $ 79,375 |
| Yulong | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | $ 372,000 | $ 93,000 |
| Bowness Stud | 5 | 5 | - | - | $ 271,000 | $ 54,200 |
| Willaroon Thoroughbreds | 4 | 3 | - | 1 | $ 245,000 | $ 81,667 |
| Goodwood Farm | 4 | 4 | - | - | $ 224,000 | $ 56,000 |
| Riverstone Lodge | 4 | 4 | - | - | $ 220,000 | $ 55,000 |
| Twin Hills Stud | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | $ 175,000 | $ 43,750 |
| Rathmore Lodge | 5 | 4 | - | 1 | $ 169,500 | $ 42,375 |
| Merricks Station | 3 | 3 | - | - | $ 150,000 | $ 50,000 |
Vendors by average (2 or more sold)
| Yulong | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | $ 372,000 | $ 93,000 |
| Mill Park Stud | 16 | 12 | 4 | - | $ 1,031,000 | $ 85,917 |
| Willaroon Thoroughbreds | 4 | 3 | - | 1 | $ 245,000 | $ 81,667 |
| Baramul Stud | 24 | 12 | 3 | 9 | $ 952,500 | $ 79,375 |
| Valiant Stud | 3 | 2 | - | 1 | $ 145,000 | $ 72,500 |
| Grenville Stud | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | $ 140,000 | $ 70,000 |
| Goodwood Farm | 4 | 4 | - | - | $ 224,000 | $ 56,000 |
| Riverstone Lodge | 4 | 4 | - | - | $ 220,000 | $ 55,000 |
| Bowness Stud | 5 | 5 | - | - | $ 271,000 | $ 54,200 |
| Merricks Station | 3 | 3 | - | - | $ 150,000 | $ 50,000 |
Buyers by gross
| Macdonald Gluyas Racing | 3 | $ 265,000 | $ 88,333 |
| Wei Jiaoqi | 1 | $ 260,000 | $ 260,000 |
| Clarken Bloodstock/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/Rob Chapman | 1 | $ 240,000 | $ 240,000 |
| Shane McGrath Bloodstock/St Kilda Lodge | 2 | $ 215,000 | $ 107,500 |
| Strawberry Hill Stud | 1 | $ 180,000 | $ 180,000 |
| Ohukia Lodge | 1 | $ 180,000 | $ 180,000 |
| Rob Hickmott Racing | 4 | $ 170,000 | $ 42,500 |
| Kavanagh Racing | 1 | $ 170,000 | $ 170,000 |
| Anthony Freedman Racing/Julian Blaxland Bloodstock (FBAA) | 3 | $ 160,500 | $ 53,500 |
| Strike Thoroughbreds | 1 | $ 160,000 | $ 160,000 |
Buyers by average (2 or more bought)
| Shane McGrath Bloodstock/St Kilda Lodge | 2 | $ 215,000 | $ 107,500 |
| Macdonald Gluyas Racing | 3 | $ 265,000 | $ 88,333 |
| Prima Park/Bevan Smith Bloodstock | 2 | $ 145,000 | $ 72,500 |
| Michael Hickmott Bloodstock | 2 | $ 132,500 | $ 66,250 |
| Williams Racing/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) | 2 | $ 120,000 | $ 60,000 |
| Prime Thoroughbreds | 2 | $ 115,000 | $ 57,500 |
| Anthony Freedman Racing/Julian Blaxland Bloodstock (FBAA) | 3 | $ 160,500 | $ 53,500 |
| Billy Healey Racing/Furlong Bloodstock | 2 | $ 95,000 | $ 47,500 |
| Sue Murphy | 3 | $ 140,000 | $ 46,667 |
| Blueblood Thoroughbreds | 2 | $ 87,500 | $ 43,750 |
Sires by gross
| So You Think (NZ) | 6 | 4 | - | 2 | $ 420,000 | $ 105,000 |
| Harry Angel (Ire) | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | $ 385,000 | $ 128,333 |
| Bivouac | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | $ 345,000 | $ 115,000 |
| The Autumn Sun | 7 | 6 | - | 1 | $ 342,500 | $ 57,083 |
| Written Tycoon | 3 | 2 | - | 1 | $ 296,000 | $ 148,000 |
| Anders | 7 | 5 | - | 2 | $ 227,000 | $ 45,400 |
| Hanseatic | 7 | 6 | - | 1 | $ 202,000 | $ 33,667 |
| Shamus Award | 5 | 3 | 2 | - | $ 186,500 | $ 62,167 |
| Wootton Bassett (GB) | 1 | 1 | - | - | $ 180,000 | $ 180,000 |
| Ole Kirk | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | $ 180,000 | $ 180,000 |
Sires by average (2 or more sold)
| Written Tycoon | 3 | 2 | - | 1 | $ 296,000 | $ 148,000 |
| Harry Angel (Ire) | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | $ 385,000 | $ 128,333 |
| Bivouac | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | $ 345,000 | $ 115,000 |
| So You Think (NZ) | 6 | 4 | - | 2 | $ 420,000 | $ 105,000 |
| Shamus Award | 5 | 3 | 2 | - | $ 186,500 | $ 62,167 |
| Maurice (Jpn) | 3 | 2 | - | 1 | $ 122,500 | $ 61,250 |
| Grunt (NZ) | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | $ 115,000 | $ 57,500 |
| The Autumn Sun | 7 | 6 | - | 1 | $ 342,500 | $ 57,083 |
| Tagaloa | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | $ 100,000 | $ 50,000 |
| Anders | 7 | 5 | - | 2 | $ 227,000 | $ 45,400 |
