Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
The August Virtual Sale made a successful debut in 2024, with 31 lots sold at an average of $177,081. The sale was topped by Group 1-winning sprinter Marabi (I Am Invincible), who fetched $2.4 million. The median price was $60,000, and the clearance rate came in just under 69 per cent.
The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch about this year’s edition of the virtual sale, the motivation behind continuing the sale, and whether any changes or refinements have been made to further build its profile.
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“We ran the August Virtual Sale for the first time last year, and we believed it worked well, so we are going again this year,” said Bowditch. “We received really good feedback at the National Sale, and it resonated with people as an opportunity being so close to the breeding season.”
That timing, sitting right on the doorstep of the spring breeding period, played a major role in the sale’s initial impact. High-profile mares like Group 1 winner Marabi (I Am Invincible) headlined the inaugural catalogue last year, fetching $2.4 million. Those results have encouraged the Magic Millions team to keep the momentum going.
“Last year Marabi made great money, and a bunch of other mares sold really well. On the back of those results, why not go again and give it a good go,” Bowditch said.
Marabi | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
One key refinement for 2025 is the slight shift in timing, moving the sale forward a couple of weeks to give breeders more breathing room before the season ramps up. According to Bowditch, that extra space could be crucial.
“We are more confident in the sale's timing this year. We have the sale a couple of weeks earlier, which should be of assistance as it is a very busy time for breeders so close to the season and getting everything organised, I feel it was a little close last year,” he explained.
“We are more confident in the sale's timing this year. We have the sale a couple of weeks earlier.” - Barry Bowditch
“It also gives potential buyers an opportunity to see the stock, and make a decision for next steps ahead, whether that is to race the mares on, or if they are going to go to stud.”
That balance between flexibility and opportunity is central to what the Virtual Sale offers. While it remains a relatively niche format, Bowditch believes the quality of stock again on offer gives it every chance to succeed in its second outing.
“It was successful last year, so I think it’s important to go again and give the sale every opportunity to be successful and build. There are some very appealing top-end mares for sale.”
“It was successful last year, so I think it’s important to go again and give the sale every opportunity to be successful and build.” - Barry Bowditch
He added, “It is a niche market, but I think there still is a horse there for all budgets, it is a very appealing catalogue that we are happy to put up to market.”
This initial catalogue includes 31 lots, reflecting a very niche offering. Entries remain open until July 28, meaning there’s still time for more additions. It’s not uncommon at this time of year for fillies or mares to be entered, maximising opportunities for the breeding season ahead, among other reasons to be entered.
“Entries are open in all areas, and there is another week they are open, there is still time” Bowditch said.
“Entries are open in all areas, and there is another week they are open, there is still time.” - Barry Bowditch
Top-class mares will be on everyone’s wish list
The Magic Millions Virtual Sale format in the past few years has proven to be a success, producing a string of seven-figure results including the likes of Espiona (Extreme Choice), Marabi (I Am Invincible) and Sheeza Belter (Gold Standard).
There is no doubt that Olentia (Zoustar) and Vienna Princess (Snitzel) are mares this year, that are capable of stretching well beyond the magical seven-figure mark.
“We are very fortunate to have Star Thoroughbreds offer Olentia, and she was announced earlier. Peter Tighe and his team have entered Vienna Princess, who is an outstanding prospect, and Fortunate Kiss is another, plus lots more well-credentialled mares,” said Bowditch.
Olentia | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Olentia was purchased for $310,000 by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She is out of Mabkhara (Anabaa {USA}), a dual winner over 1300 metres who was placed at metropolitan level in Sydney, and has since proven to be a blue hen broodmare.
Mabkhara has produced eight foals to race, all winners. In addition to Olentia, she is the dam of Wandabaa (Wandjina), an eight-time winner and G3 Newmarket Handicap victor, Malkovich (Choisir), another eight-time winner and dual Listed winner, and Seewhatshebrings (Sebring), a three-time winner who placed in the G3 Tesio Stakes.
“Few mares with her racetrack record and pedigree come up for sale each year, and this mare presents an incredible opportunity. We are grateful to Denise Martin and her Star Thoroughbreds syndicate of owners for providing us with an opportunity to present Olentia at our Virtual Sale,” Bowditch added.
Vienna Princess | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Vienna Princess was a $400,000 purchase by Magic Bloodstock and Associates from the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She is out of Graciousness (Street Cry {Ire}), who won over 1600 metres, and has already produced First Settler, winner of the G2 Danehill Stakes and now about to stand his first season at Yulong Stud.
Graciousness is also a half-sister to four stakes winners, including Group 1 winner and successful sire Casino Prince. Vienna Princess earned over $1.1 million in prize money during a high-class racing career, which included victory in the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes in Melbourne and the $1 million Silver Eagle in Sydney.
“Vienna Princess is a stakes-winning mare, a half to First Settler, and has a very commercial, outstanding pedigree. I would imagine she would be on everyone’s list,” Bowditch said.
“Vienna Princess is a stakes-winning mare, a half to First Settler, and has a very commercial, outstanding pedigree. I would imagine she would be on everyone’s list.” - Barry Bowditch
Recent stakes-winning mare Fortunate Kiss (Divine Prophet) will also go under the hammer, along with stakes performers Left Field (Deep Field), Mixed Spice (Russian Revolution), Regal Vow (Swear) and Express Yo’self (Alabama Express), all coming straight off the track and ready for the breeding barn.
Premier stallion shares up for grabs
It’s not often that a Virtual Sale features such a diverse range of stallion shares, but this year’s edition boasts an impressive blend across the spectrum. Up for offer is a breeding right to the elite Newgate Farm-based sire Extreme Choice, alongside two shares in Cool Archie’s sire Cool Aza Beel (NZ) and the ultra-consistent, proven sire All Too Hard.
Standing this spring at a fee of $330,000 (inc. GST), Extreme Choice has firmly established himself as one of the globe’s hottest stallions. He is the fastest Australasian stallion this century to sire five individual Group 1 winners, delivering an elite-level performer every 23 runners.
Extreme Choice | Standing at Newgate Farm
“The stallion shares add a lot of interest, across the board of levels,” said Bowditch. “We have a real elite star in Extreme Choice, a real up-and-comer in Cool Aza Beel, and one of the most consistent, proven sires in the land in All Too Hard."
It’s the right time of year to be able to lock in access to these top-class stallions and assure you of a spot, and this is an ideal opportunity, especially being so close to the 2025 breeding season.”
End of an era for Magic Millions as Val Hayward retires
Following the Gold Coast National Yearling Sale in June, a special tribute was paid to Magic Millions’ longtime Marketing Manager of Sales, Val Hayward, who announced her retirement was going to be in July after 37 years with the company. As the final lot left the ring, the entire team gathered for a celebratory photo to honour her invaluable contribution.
Fast forward roughly six weeks, and last Friday marked Val’s official retirement. Bowditch reflected, “Last Friday was a very sad day as Val retired. I have been lucky and fortunate to work with Val for the last 20 years, and she in total has completed 37 years of service. She has been a great servant, has great attention to detail, and has been through the good times, and the bad times at Magic Millions.
“She (Val Hayward) has been an institution here, and the team at Magic Millions wish her all the best.” - Barry Bowditch
“She has been an institution here, and the team at Magic Millions wish her all the best.”
