Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
Lot 503 - Zougotcha (Zoustar x Fast Talker {Fastnet Rock}) - $5.25 million to Tom Magnier
With three Group 1 victories to her name, Zougotcha (Zoustar) was always expected to be one of the stars of the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and she didn’t disappoint.
The outstanding mare lit up the sales ring when knocked down to Tom Magnier of Coolmore Stud for a commanding $5.25 million, a figure that reflects her rare combination of performance, pedigree and physical appeal.
By the Champion sire in waiting Zoustar, she captured the G1 Coolmore Classic, G1 Flight Stakes, and the G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
“Well done to Chris Waller and all his team. She was a beautiful mare and everybody was on her this week,” Tom Magnier said after signing the docket.
“Olly Tate was the underbidder. They are very good judges. She will go to Wootton Bassett.
“She (Zougotcha) was a beautiful mare and everybody was on her this week.” - Tom Magnier
“Having Wootton Bassett back this year, it gives us the confidence to find these mares, and what he is doing both in Australia and Europe, we are very fortunate to be in this position and to get this mare.
“We are very close to Sophie Baker and the Waller team. When you look at these top ones that they keep putting through the sale, they’re blue chip mares for everyone.
“Hopefully, they might be buying the offspring in years to come.”
Sophie Baker and Tom Magnier | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Zougotcha is the fifth foal of Fast Talker (Fastnet Rock), a multiple city winner who placed in both the Listed Queen Adelaide Stakes and Listed Pewsey Vale Stakes. As a broodmare, Fast Talker has already proven her worth, having produced three stakes winners, including Persuader (Zoustar) and The Actuary (Sebring).
The Actuary has been in the spotlight herself of late, her Zoustar filly, a three-quarter sister to Zougotcha, was sold for $2.6 million to Resolute Racing at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the Widden Stud draft.
For part-owner Christine Cook, the sale marked a bittersweet milestone.
“I only ever cry happy tears,” she said.
“It’s the end of one era and the start of another.
Zougotcha at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare Sale | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She was just such an amazing animal. The people we were in her with were just incredible, we had so much fun with her. There was never any argument about where she was going or what she was doing. We just went on her ride, which was wonderful.
“It’s just unbelievable, genuinely unbelievable. I just hope she makes beautiful babies.”
“It’s just unbelievable, genuinely unbelievable. I just hope she (Zougotcha) makes beautiful babies.” - Christine Cook
On hearing the final price, Cook admitted the figure exceeded all expectations.
“That’s crazy stuff. It’s just what every racehorse owner ever dreams of doing.
“It’s not what you think of when you buy them, but it’s so lovely to see that she’s so well thought of as an animal, as a horse, that somebody thinks she’s worth that.”
“It’s not what you think of when you buy them, but it’s so lovely to see that she’s (Zougotcha) so well thought of as an animal, as a horse, that somebody thinks she’s worth that.” - Christine Cook
Zougotcha’s appeal runs deep through the pedigree. She hails from a family littered with black type, including G1 Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily (Stratum), and the stakes-winning sprinters Crystal Wit (Distorted Humor {USA}) and Crystal Dreamer (Stratum).
Lot 517 - Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel x Posy (NZ) {No Excuse Needed {GB}}) - $2.7 million to Yu Long Investments
Yulong Stud has long held an admiration for elite racetrack mares, and they added another exceptional name to their ranks with the purchase of Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) for $2.7 million from the Chris Waller Racing draft at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
The daughter of New Zealand's Champion sire Savabeel was initially trained in New Zealand by Stephen Marsh, and later flourished under Chris Waller in Australia, Atishu forged an impressive career, winning 11 races, including three Group 1 races, and earning just shy of $6 million in prizemoney.
Her Group 1 wins were dominant victories in the G1 Mackinnon Stakes and G1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington, along with success in the G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick, firmly establishing her as one of the standout mares of her era.
Sam Fairgray, Chief Operating Officer at Yu Long, was delighted to welcome Atishu into the farm’s growing broodmare band.
“Mr Zhang was very impressed when he saw her. She’s a beautiful type so it is great to have her in the broodmare band,” Fairgray said.
“She will probably go to Alabama Express. I think it is a really nice cross. She’s a beautiful mare, so it is exciting to have her.
“She (Atishu) will probably go to Alabama Express. I think it is a really nice cross. She’s a beautiful mare so it is exciting to have her.” - Sam Fairgray
“She’s always been one of those very consistent mares in good races, so to have a three-time Group 1-winning mare, she gets in there with some lovely other blue hens.
Sam Fairgray | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We’re shareholders in Savabeel, so we have seen mares turn, and we have some really nice mares on the farm by him that have good foals.
“He is a great broodmare sire and it is great to have a mare like her joining the team.”
Now a 7-year-old, Atishu is the third foal from Posy (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}), a two-time race winner who has produced five winners to date. Notably, Posy is also the dam of Mazzolino (NZ) who won the G3 Desert Gold Stakes and placed fourth at Group 1 level in both the Zabeel Classic and the Levin Classic.
Atishu hails from a famed Waikato Stud family, rich in black type and class. Close relations include the dual Oaks winner Daffodil (NZ), successful in both the G1 New Zealand Oaks and G1 Australian Oaks, as well as recent Group 1 winning 3-year-olds Orchestral (NZ) and Savaglee (NZ), both by Savabeel.
Atishu (NZ) at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare Sale | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
With her elite race record, deep pedigree, and quality physique, Atishu promises to be a significant addition to Yu Long’s already formidable broodmare band, and her mating to Alabama Express is sure to be watched with great interest.
Lot 563 - Lady Laguna (Overshare x Catalina De Lago (NZ) {Encosta De Lago}) - $2.5 million to James Harron Bloodstock
Lady Laguna (Overshare) proved one of the standout offerings on Day One of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, with the Group 1-winning mare selling for $2.5 million to James Harron Bloodstock.
Offered through the Newgate Consignment, the high-class mare was always tipped to attract serious interest and she lived up to expectations in the ring, ending up the third highest lot of the day.
Trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, she raced in the familiar silks of OTI Racing, Lady Laguna compiled a stellar record, winning seven races including the G1 Canterbury Stakes, G3 Southern Cross Stakes, Listed Nudgee Stakes, and Listed Mick Dittman Plate.
James Harron was glowing in his assessment of the mare post-sale.
“She’s an outstanding mare. Really tough, durable, and resilient across all age groups,” he said.
“Just a stunning individual who presented in incredible health. Very excited to get her.
“She’s (Lady Laguna) an outstanding mare. Really tough, durable, and resilient across all age groups.” - James Harron
“I think that’s what we’ve come to learn, that these mares are worth it. It’s very hard to match a Group 1 like that. We’re delighted to get her.
“We’ll get her back home, work out a mating and go from there. The plan was to see how it went this evening, you never quite know what the market will do, but it’s great to get her.”
James Harron | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Harron also highlighted the importance of temperament and constitution in future broodmares.
“It’s a really big deal. When they produce these yearlings and go into work and in public training arenas, you need horses that can handle it all.
“It’s part of the big picture for long-term breeding. It’s extremely important.”
“It’s a really big deal. When they produce these yearlings and go into work and in public training arenas, you need horses that can handle it all.” - James Harron
Lady Laguna is the second foal of Catalina De Lago (NZ) (Encosta De Lago), a three-time winner in New Zealand over 1400 metres and 1600 metres. Catalina De Lago is a half-sister to G2 Edward Manifold Stakes winner She Will Be Loved (Strategic), and to the stakes performers Mya (Desert King {Ire}) and Thorn Dancer (NZ) (Thorn Park).
With elite racetrack form, toughness, and a proven black-type family behind her, Lady Laguna now embarks on a new chapter, it will be interesting to see what stallion her new connections choose to be her first mating.
Lady Laguna at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare Sale | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Lot 540 - Climbing Star (NZ) (Zoustar x Bryony {Fastnet Rock}) - $2.1 million to Tom Magnier
A Group 1-winning sprinter by Zoustar was always destined to be a hot commodity in the broodmare ring, and so it proved when Climbing Star (NZ) sold for $2.1 million to Tom Magnier of Coolmore Stud at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Trained by Phillip Stokes, Climbing Star (NZ) delivered her career highlight with a thrilling victory in the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville. She also claimed the Listed Matrice Stakes, and consistently held her own at the top level, including a brave Group 1 placing against the boys in The Goodwood.
Coolmore’s Tom Magnier was full of praise for the quality of the mare and her future at stud.
Climbing Star (NZ) at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare Sale | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She’ll go to Wootton Bassett,” said Magnier.
“In fairness, Zoustar is going to be an unbelievable broodmare sire. We’ve sent a lot of mares to Zoustar and we will continue to do so, and I’d like to think Antony (Thompson) is going to give me a discounted rate now!
“These are very special mares, very well-bred, very good-looking and we’ve got a great bunch of people behind us.
“These are very special mares (Zoustar mares), very well-bred, very good-looking and we’ve got a great bunch of people behind us.” - Tom Magnier
“We’re looking at horses that we think will work with Wootton Bassett, and these are the ones you have to have. Broodmare sires are very important.”
Asked whether he expected the Zoustar pair of Climbing Star and Zougotcha to bring such high prices, Magnier replied:
“I think everybody did. There’s very good judges around these horses, so we’re just very fortunate to get the mares.
“The market’s very strong, and there’s a crowd here that would be at a yearling sale, so it shows the appetite that is in the industry at the moment.”
“The market’s very strong, and there’s a crowd here that would be at a yearling sale, so it shows the appetite that is in the industry at the moment.” - Tom Magnier
Climbing Star boasts a potent pedigree. She is the fourth foal from Bryony (Fastnet Rock), a 1300-metre winner and full sister to Heroic Valour, winner of the G1 Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie. Bryony is also a half-sister to Triple Honour (Honours List), a seven-time winner who captured the G1 Doncaster Handicap.
Adding further depth, Climbing Star is a half-sister to four other individual winners, including Sansom (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), a nine-time winner who saluted in the G3 Chatham Stakes and G3 Bletchingly Stakes.
Zoustar | Standing at Widden Stud
Bryony remains active at stud, her Zoustar yearling colt sold for $500,000 to A Koundouris at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, and she was again served by Zoustar last spring.
Antony Thompson of Widden Stud, vendor of both Zougotcha and Climbing Star, was delighted with the outcome:
“It’s a really healthy market, there’s a lot of competition and these are two beautiful Zoustar mares bought by the best in Coolmore and Tom, who have identified Zoustar, obviously,” said Thompson.
“They’ve bought Mizzy, they’ve bought Sunlight, and they’ve added to that today in Zougotcha and Climbing Star.
Antony Thompson, Hannah Wall and Tom Magnier | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“That makes us pretty proud of Zoustar and the sort of horses we’re breeding.
“It’s lovely when they go to the best trainers and the best players in the business.”
Climbing Star now joins an elite group of Zoustar mares under Coolmore’s banner, destined for a date with Wootton Bassett (GB) and a future that promises more stars in the making.
Lot 466 - Revolutionary Miss (Russian Revolution x Purcentage {Onemorenomore}) - $ 1.6 million to Katsumi Yoshida
Revolutionary Miss was fast, she was tough and she was durable. She also trained on, these are all qualities that make her the type of mare buyers dream of when searching for a future star broodmare.
That exact combination of attributes caught the attention of Katsumi Yoshida, who secured the multiple Group-winning daughter of Russian Revolution for $1.6 million from the Yarraman Park Stud draft at this year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Throughout a glittering career, Revolutionary Miss amassed seven wins, headlined by success in the G2 Kewney Stakes, G2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes, G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (f), G3 Frances Tressady Stakes, G3 Mannerism Stakes, and the G3 Summoned Stakes.
She also came heartbreakingly close to Group 1 glory, finishing runner-up in both the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes and the G1 Thousand Guineas.
For Triple Crown Syndications’ Chris Ward, the result was nothing short of a dream come true.
“Over the moon. It’s a massive result,” Ward said. “She was a filly when we first saw her at Sledmere Stud as a yearling pre-sale before she came through the ring at Magic Millions.
“To buy her for $195,000 as a yearling… she won $1.8 million on the track for her owners and then (sold for) $1.6 million here at the end.
Chris Ward | Image courtesy of Triple Crown Syndications
“It’s a fairytale result and just such a wonderful experience for all the owners here. They came to experience a different side to the whole industry, which is great, it’s not all about raceday and Magic Millions put on a great day and they get all the buyers here, so it’s a great result all round.”
Revolutionary Miss raced in the red silks of a broad ownership group, a hallmark of the Triple Crown model.
“It’s a great result for them. I think there’s probably about 18 different owners of all different share sizes,” Ward said.
“Whether you own 2.5 percent or you own 100 percent, it’s a massive result, and a lot of lifelong friends have been made amongst this group, so it’s really pleasing.”
“Whether you own 2.5 percent or you own 100 percent, it’s a massive result, and a lot of lifelong friends have been made amongst this group, so it’s really pleasing.” - Chris Ward
Revolutionary Miss is out of the Onemorenomore mare Purcentage, a talented juvenile in New Zealand who won on debut and placed in the Listed Ryder Stakes. She has also produced Equation (Press Statement), winner of the Listed Canberra Guineas.
The family’s quality runs deep, Purcentage is out of Spurcent (Flying Spur), a smart juvenile who won the Listed Gimcrack Stakes and trained on to place in the G1 Thousand Guineas.
