Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
On the first day of the two-day Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, 129 out of the 210 catalogued lots were sold with the gross recorded at $5.8 million. In comparison, last year saw 110 of the 200 catalogued lots on Day 1 sell for $5.22 million.
The average price sits at $44,961, down from the $47,455 recorded on the opening day in 2024. The median price of $28,000 is narrowly below last year’s figure of $29,000.
With a record-equalling sale topper at $850,000, the same price as was achieved in 2019, it far exceeds last year’s sale-topping price of $400,000. Thirteen horses sold for over $100,000.
The clearance rate sits at 70.1 per cent, up on 2024’s 67 per cent and well up on the 56 per cent achieved at the same stage in 2023.
Yulong was the top buyer by gross, having splashed out $850,000 on the sale-topping Extreme Choice colt, while Triple Crown Syndications was the leading buyer on day 1 by average, spending an average of $71,000 on two horses.
Baramul Stud led the vendors by gross, boosted by the sale topper, with their 12 lots sold making $1.5 million. The highest average achieved for two or more lots sold was also Baramul Stud at $126,000 with Longwood Thoroughbreds coming in second at $105,000 across their three lots sold.
With three lots sold on Day 1, Extreme Choice led the sires by aggregate ($1.25 million) and average ($416,000).
While the buying bench was diverse, the leading buying location on Monday was New South Wales, accounting for 29 lots with a total spend of $1.47 million. Victorian buyers led the averages, boosted by the sale topper, purchasing 14 lots at an average of $104,000.
Bowditch pleased with Day 1 results
Day 1 of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale closed on a positive note, with key sale metrics holding firm and the clearance rate showing a slight lift from last year and a significant improvement from 2023 figures.
The standout moment came when Lot 1282, a precocious colt by Extreme Choice, from the draft of Baramul Stud sold for $850,000 to Yu Long Investments. The price equalled the all-time record for the sale, set in 2019 by a Dundeel (NZ) colt offered by Arrowfield Stud.
| 2019 | $ 850,000 | Dundeel (NZ) |
| 2020 | $ 300,000 | Snitzel |
| 2021 | $ 500,000 | Snitzel |
| 2022 | $ 575,000 | Exceed And Excel |
| 2023 | $ 750,000 | The Autumn Sun |
| 2024 | $ 400,000 | Zoustar |
Table: Sale toppers since 2019
“I'm pleased with today,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. “There's been some increases across the board and an equal record top price of $850,000 for an outstanding Extreme Choice colt sold to Yulong.
“There was spirited bidding on the (top-selling) colt and outside of him we had 13 lots sell for $100,000 or above, and we had 54 horses sell internationally.”
Bowditch acknowledged the selectivity of the buying bench, but was encouraged by the depth of demand for well-prepared horses.
Lot 1282 - Extreme Choice x Samarmeteors (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“It's obviously a little selective out there, but when a horse walks into the ring that has vetted out and looks the part, there's some good, strong bidding.
“When a horse walks into the ring that has vetted out and looks the part, there's some good, strong bidding.” - Barry Bowditch
“The top sires came to the top today, which is expected. We have a few more Extreme Choices tomorrow that could sell very, very well.”
He also encouraged prospective buyers to explore opportunities both in upcoming sessions and among the passed-in lots from Day 1.
“Anyone that is shopping or anyone that is at home looking at the results will realise there is plenty of value out there.
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“If you've got an order to buy a horse or you're interested in some horses tomorrow, or the passed-in lots from today, I think there's plenty there on offer, just ring our team and get involved.
“This is a way you can get involved in the lucrative race series with big, big money involved, and the last day of the sale starts tomorrow at 11am,” Bowditch added.
Extreme Choice and Baramul Stud secure quinella of top lots
Super sire Extreme Choice lit up the sales ring on Day 1 of the Gold Coast Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, headlining with Lot 1282, a striking chestnut colt from the draft of Baramul Stud selling to Yu Long Investments for $850,000.
Yulong, no strangers to the progeny of Extreme Choice, enjoyed Group 1 glory with Devil Night (Extreme Choice) in the G1 Blue Diamond earlier this year. The future Yulong Stud stallion was a $1.4 million purchase from the same sale ring at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The colt that Yu Long Investments purchased today has the pedigree to match his looks. He is a half-brother to Prost, who was recently announced to stand at Aquis Farm this season at a fee of $13,200 (inc GST). On the track, Prost captured both the G2 Callander-Presnell Stakes and the G3 Canonbury Stakes.
Their dam Samarmeteors (Northern Meteor) is a half-sister to Samaready (More Than Ready {USA}), a dual Group 1-winning sprinter and dam of the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes winner and stallion Shinzo. The family also includes Exhilarates (Snitzel), a Group 3 winner who was also successful at Listed level four times.
Baramul Stud's Luke McDonald was full of praise for their pair of top sellers by Extreme Choice.
Luke McDonald | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“We had a fantastic day today with our two Extreme Choices. Obviously, he is a world-class stallion that’s striking around 11 per cent stakes winners, that’s impressive, to say the least,” McDonald said.
“We have four Extreme Choices at this sale. They all look the part and we have been blessed with four great physicals, with pedigrees to boot. The colt took the limelight today, and he has a real stallion-making pedigree and the physical to match.
“The colt (Lot 1282) took the limelight today, and he has a real stallion-making pedigree and the physical to match.” - Luke McDonald
“Everyone gravitated to him at the sale and we had received great feedback. He was well received, and even though he is a December foal, he looks super early.
“He is quite a horse with presence, and he is quite developed for his age, great bone and fantastic scope. He walks with purpose and uses himself really well.”
When asked whether he was expecting that kind of price tag, McDonald thoughtfully explained, “I think that makes him the equal top-priced horse at this sale, and he deserves it. He did exceed my expectations a little bit. Just being a December foal, I thought that may just hold him back a touch, but I wasn’t surprised, as the feedback that we had got was really, really strong.
“He (Lot 1282) walks with purpose and uses himself really well.” - Luke McDonald
“The top buyers were here. Newgate Farm were the underbidders, Yulong came in, I believe Mr Zhang flew in, had a look at him, and flew out. So that showed his intentions, and he got the rewards.
Lot 1282 - Extreme Choice x Samarmeteors (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“He has gone to a good home and he will do extremely well for them, and we are looking forward to seeing what he does on the racetrack.”
Magic Millions' China representative Amy Feng secured the winning bid for Yulong on the colt via the telephone.
“He's a lovely colt, and I know the team love the stallion and have already had great success through the exploits of their Magic Millions purchase Devil Night,” Feng said.
“The opportunities don't come that often to buy a top colt by Extreme Choice. He was a standout on type and pedigree, and I know Yulong will be excited to race him in their colours."
“The opportunities don't come that often to buy a top colt by Extreme Choice.” - Amy Feng
Baramul also presented Lot 1263, a stylish Extreme Choice filly bred to Northern Hemisphere time, who sold to Springwood for $240,000; the second highest price achieved on the first day of selling. She is out of Queen Magdalene (More Than Ready {USA}), whose daughter All Sassed Up (Shalaa {Ire}) was placed in the Listed Valley Pearl Stakes and the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic. Queen Magdalene is a full sister to Vanilla Ice Cream (More Than Ready {USA}), dam of Ranting (Zoustar), a G3 Blue Sapphire Stakes winner as a 3-year-old.
Lot 1263 - Extreme Choice x Queen Magdalene (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The deeper pedigree includes elite Group 1 winners Dizelle (Zabeel {NZ}), Vengeance Of Rain (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), and Pinot (Pierro).
“The Queen Magdalene filly is a February foal, so we had to bring her here to give her that time to mature and develop a little more," McDonald said. “She is very precocious, really well balanced, great hind-quarter, tracks through with her hocks really well. She looks fast, she is a half to a 2-year-old stakes performer.”
“She (Lot 1263) looks fast, she is a half to a 2-year-old stakes performer.” - Luke McDonald
Commenting further on Extreme Choice's influence, McDonald added:
“It shows you how dominant Extreme Choice is. You don’t often see late covers sell really well. $240,000 for a February-born foal is fantastic, and a lot of money, as is the $850,000 for a December born colt.”
Young guns in demand
The new generation of stallions is leaving a big impression—not just on the track, but in the sale ring too.
The momentum of the first season sires has continued to build, with the latest boost coming from the G2 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm last Saturday where first-season sires Cool Aza Beel (NZ) and Farnan delivered the quinella with Cool Archie (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) and Farnicle (Farnan), underlining the growing influence of this young brigade.
Buyers have also shown a clear appetite for stallions, both Cool Aza Beel and Ole Kirk had yearlings sell for at least six figures on day 1 of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, reinforcing their commercial appeal.
Lot 1181 - Ole Kirk x Lady Lynette (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Ole Kirk had two standout results on the first day; Lot 1181, a well-credentialed colt out of the outstanding race mare Lady Lynette (Ladoni {GB}), was offered by Baramul Stud and was knocked down for $140,000 to Amy Feng, the China representative for Magic Millions.
Lady Lynette was a prolific competitor on the track, saluting 14 times including victories in the G2 Blazer Stakes, the G3 Tesio Stakes (twice), and five Listed races. This colt is her 10th foal, with four winners already on her record.
The second top seller for Ole Kirk was Lot 1150, selling for $150,000 to Moorillah Pastoral from the draft of Traxion Management Services.
This colt is the fourth living foal from Ilovewhatsebrings (Sebring), a four-time winner herself and daughter of Crimson Sakura (Bite The Bullet {USA}), who notched seven wins including the Listed Natasha Trophy in Perth.
Lot 1150 - Ole Kirk x Ilovewhatsebrings (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Ole Kirk has three more yearlings catalogued this week, and with demand strong, they’re sure to attract further interest. He will stand for $99,000 (inc GST) at Vinery Stud this breeding season, where he is already fully booked.
Also riding a wave of success is Cool Aza Beel, thanks in large part to his brilliant son Cool Archie, now a four-time winner and rising star of the juvenile ranks. His record includes victories in the Listed Dalrello Stakes, G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic, and the G2 Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Lot 1104 was the stallion’s top seller on Day 1, purchased for $120,000 by Sut Chung Hung of Hong Kong. Offered by Newhaven Park, who stand the son of Savabeel, the colt boasted both presence and pedigree.
Lot 1104 - Cool Aza Beel (NZ) x Fashion (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
He is the 10th foal out of Fashion (Encosta De Lago), a talented mare who won twice and placed in both the Listed Laelia Stakes and Listed Baillieu Handicap. She is out of True Jewels (Brief Truce {USA}), winner of the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes and dam of four individual winners, including Listed victor Villian (Carnegie {Ire}).
Newhaven Park confirmed last week that Cool Aza Beel will remain at his 2024 fee of $16,500 (inc GST) for the upcoming season, and after a week like this, he looks certain to be in high demand.
Nicconi colt makes a splash early on Day 1
Day 1 of the 2025 Gold Coast Magic Millions National Yearling Sale kicked off with strong early action, as Lot 1144, a powerful, eye-catching colt by proven sire Nicconi was secured by trainer Peter Robl for $190,000. Offered by Lyndhurst Stud Farm, the colt drew early attention from buyers and was one of the highlights early in the day.
The colt is the first foal from I’m Gunna Cashew (Exceed And Excel), a mare who won over 1100 and 1400 metres. His second dam, Nutkin (Can) (Candy Ride {Arg}), hails from a quality American family and is a full sister to El Brujo (Can) (Candy Ride {Arg}), a seven-time winner who tasted success at the highest level in the G1 Del Mar Pat O’Brien Stakes.
Lyndhurst Stud’s Jeff Kruger was pleased with the result and told Magic Millions that he had always had a high opinion of the colt.
“We knew we came here with a nice colt. Right from day one he was a lovely foal, he was very much in the mould of Nature Strip, I thought.”
“Right from day one, he (Lot 1144) was a lovely foal, he was very much in the mould of Nature Strip, I thought.” - Jeff Kruger
Trainer Peter Robl, who relocated to the Gold Coast roughly two years ago, was pleased with his purchase.
“I bought that for Foxy Robinson (John Robinson), who has been a great supporter of mine since I started training,” Robl said. “I just liked this horse as he is by Nicconi, and out of an Exceed And Excel mare. He looks like an early runner and the sort of horse that could get up and be racing as a 2-year-old.
Lot 1144 - Nicconi x I'm Gunna Cashew (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“He had the strength and size, and had a really good walk on him. We went to $190,000 to get him and we were very happy with our purchase.”
Nicconi, who now stands at Widden Stud Victoria for $13,200 (inc GST), continues to cement his status as a reliable source of quality. With an outstanding winners-to-runners ratio of 73 per cent, he has sired 30 stakes winners to date, headlined by superstar Nature Strip.
Top lots (Day 1)
| 1282 | Extreme Choice (AUS) | Samarmeteors (AUS) | Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | Ch. | C | Yu Long Investments (Australia) Pty Ltd | VIC | $ 850,000 |
| 1263 | Extreme Choice (AUS) | Queen Magdalene (AUS) | Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | B. | F | Springwood | NSW | $ 240,000 |
| 1144 | Nicconi (AUS) | I'm Gunna Cashew (AUS) | Lyndhurst Stud Farm, Warwick, Qld | Ch. | C | Robl Racing Pty Ltd | QLD | $ 190,000 |
| 1296 | Extreme Choice (AUS) | Sheza Shamardal (AUS) | Infinity Thoroughbreds, Purga, Qld (As Agent) | Ch. | F | First Light Racing/Waterhouse & Bott/Kestrel Thoroughbreds | NSW | $ 160,000 |
| 1181 | Ole Kirk (AUS) | Lady Lynette (AUS) | Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | B. | C | Amy Feng | CHINA | $ 140,000 |
| 1281 | I Am Invincible (AUS) | Samara Dancer (NZ) | Longwood Thoroughbred Farm, Longwood East, Vic (As Agent) | B. or Br. | F | Group One Thoroughbreds/Ciaron Maher Racing | NSW | $ 140,000 |
| 1306 | Too Darn Hot (GB) | Smarter Than (NZ) | Infinity Thoroughbreds, Purga, Qld (As Agent) | Br. | G | RS Bloodstock | VIC | $ 130,000 |
| 1104 | Cool Aza Beel (NZ) | Fashion (AUS) | Newhaven Park, Boorowa, NSW (As Agent) | B. | C | Sut Chung Hung | HONG KONG | $ 120,000 |
| 1132 | Castelvecchio (AUS) | Holiday Romance (AUS) | Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW | B. | C | Triple Crown Syndications | NSW | $ 100,000 |
| 1150 | Ole Kirk (AUS) | Ilovewhatsebrings (AUS) | Traxion Management Services, Biddaddaba, Qld | Br. | C | Moorillah Pastoral | VIC | $ 100,000 |
| 1269 | I Am Invincible (AUS) | Rimraam (NZ) | Longwood Thoroughbred Farm, Longwood East, Vic (As Agent) | B. | C | Amy Feng | CHINA | $ 100,000 |
| 1276 | Home Affairs (AUS) | Roulettes (AUS) | Attunga Stud, Scone, NSW (As Agent) | Ch. | C | Andrew Chow/Lawrence Wong | HONG KONG | $ 100,000 |
| 1288 | Harry Angel (IRE) | Sestiere (AUS) | Goodwood Farm, Murrurundi, NSW (As Agent) | B. | C | Paul Murray | NSW | $ 100,000 |
Vendors by gross (Day 1)
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 12 | 3 | 6 | $126,208 | $1,514,500 |
| Infinity Thoroughbreds, Purga, Qld | 4 | 1 | 0 | $89,000 | $356,000 |
| Longwood Thoroughbred Farm, Longwood East, Vic | 3 | 0 | 0 | $105,000 | $315,000 |
| Newhaven Park, Boorowa, NSW | 8 | 8 | 2 | $36,313 | $290,500 |
| Lyndhurst Stud Farm, Warwick, Qld | 8 | 0 | 1 | $34,500 | $276,000 |
| Robyn Wise, Toowoomba, Qld | 5 | 0 | 0 | $49,500 | $247,500 |
| Attunga Stud, Scone, NSW | 5 | 1 | 3 | $46,600 | $233,000 |
| Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW | 5 | 0 | 0 | $43,400 | $217,000 |
| KBL Thoroughbreds, Beaudesert, Qld | 4 | 4 | 0 | $50,000 | $200,000 |
| Alma Vale Thoroughbreds, Scone, NSW | 8 | 2 | 1 | $23,000 | $184,000 |
Vendors by average (2 or more sold) (Day 1)
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 12 | 3 | 6 | $126,208 | $1,514,500 |
| Longwood Thoroughbred Farm, Longwood East, Vic | 3 | 0 | 0 | $105,000 | $315,000 |
| Infinity Thoroughbreds, Purga, Qld | 4 | 1 | 0 | $89,000 | $356,000 |
| Traxion Management Services, Biddaddaba, Qld | 2 | 0 | 1 | $66,000 | $132,000 |
| Goodwood Farm, Murrurundi, NSW | 2 | 0 | 1 | $61,000 | $122,000 |
| Sutton Park, Nobbys Creek, NSW | 2 | 0 | 0 | $53,750 | $107,500 |
| KBL Thoroughbreds, Beaudesert, Qld | 4 | 4 | 0 | $50,000 | $200,000 |
| Robyn Wise, Toowoomba, Qld | 5 | 0 | 0 | $49,500 | $247,500 |
| Glen Gallic Stud, Martindale, NSW | 2 | 1 | 0 | $49,000 | $98,000 |
| Attunga Stud, Scone, NSW | 5 | 1 | 3 | $46,600 | $233,000 |
Buyers by gross (Day 1)
| Yu Long Investments (Australia) Pty Ltd | 1 | $850,000 | $850,000 |
| Amy Feng | 7 | $61,929 | $433,500 |
| Springwood | 1 | $240,000 | $240,000 |
| Robl Racing Pty Ltd | 1 | $190,000 | $190,000 |
| First Light Racing/Waterhouse & Bott/Kestrel Thoroughbreds | 1 | $160,000 | $160,000 |
| Triple Crown Syndications | 2 | $71,000 | $142,000 |
| Group One Thoroughbreds/Ciaron Maher Racing | 1 | $140,000 | $140,000 |
| Moorillah Pastoral | 2 | $70,000 | $140,000 |
| Champion Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd | 3 | $45,667 | $137,000 |
| RS Bloodstock | 1 | $130,000 | $130,000 |
Buyers by avg (2 or more bought) (Day 1)
| Triple Crown Syndications | 2 | $71,000 | $142,000 |
| Moorillah Pastoral | 2 | $70,000 | $140,000 |
| Amy Feng | 7 | $61,929 | $433,500 |
| Red Bloodstock | 2 | $60,000 | $120,000 |
| David Ellis (BAFNZ) | 2 | $51,250 | $102,500 |
| Curtis Racing Stables Pty Ltd | 2 | $46,000 | $92,000 |
| Champion Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd | 3 | $45,667 | $137,000 |
| Peter Kwan | 2 | $45,000 | $90,000 |
| Bevan Laming Racing | 2 | $33,000 | $66,000 |
| Dream Thoroughbreds/Bluegrass Bloodstock (FBAA) | 3 | $25,000 | $75,000 |
Sires by gross (Day 1)
| Extreme Choice (AUS) | 3 | 0 | 0 | $416,667 | $1,250,000 |
| Cool Aza Beel (NZ) | 8 | 3 | 2 | $42,000 | $336,000 |
| Ole Kirk (AUS) | 3 | 1 | 0 | $90,667 | $272,000 |
| I Am Invincible (AUS) | 2 | 0 | 0 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
| Harry Angel (IRE) | 5 | 0 | 0 | $44,600 | $223,000 |
| Nicconi (AUS) | 3 | 0 | 1 | $66,667 | $200,000 |
| Castelvecchio (AUS) | 3 | 0 | 1 | $51,667 | $155,000 |
| Farnan (AUS) | 4 | 1 | 3 | $38,000 | $152,000 |
| Zoustar (AUS) | 2 | 0 | 0 | $72,500 | $145,000 |
| Too Darn Hot (GB) | 1 | 0 | 0 | $130,000 | $130,000 |
Sires by average (2 or more sold) (Day 1)
| Extreme Choice (AUS) | 3 | 0 | 0 | $416,667 | $1,250,000 |
| I Am Invincible (AUS) | 2 | 0 | 0 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
| Ole Kirk (AUS) | 3 | 1 | 0 | $90,667 | $272,000 |
| Zoustar (AUS) | 2 | 0 | 0 | $72,500 | $145,000 |
| Nicconi (AUS) | 3 | 0 | 1 | $66,667 | $200,000 |
| Lean Mean Machine (AUS) | 2 | 0 | 0 | $56,000 | $112,000 |
| St Mark's Basilica (FR) | 2 | 0 | 0 | $55,500 | $111,000 |
| Castelvecchio (AUS) | 3 | 0 | 1 | $51,667 | $155,000 |
| Stay Inside (AUS) | 2 | 1 | 0 | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| Tarzino (NZ) | 2 | 0 | 1 | $50,000 | $100,000 |
