Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

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Grafterburners the one to catch in the Sunlight

Grafterburners (Graff) will be chasing a fourth consecutive victory on Saturday when he lines up in the $3 million Sunlight 3YO Plate, and the Kelly Schweida-trained colt shapes as the horse they all have to beat.

While the drop back to 1100 metres isn’t ideal given his outstanding record at 1200 metres, Schweida is confident the slight freshen-up has him primed to perform.

“He had a week out in the paddock after his last win and he’s come back fresh as a daisy,” Schweida told racenet.com.

“He’s had two runs at the Gold Coast and won the QTIS Jewel in March last year.

“It’s definitely better if they’ve had a run on the track.”

Grafterburners was snapped up by the slot of Sydney’s powerhouse training partnership of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, underlining the regard in which the colt is held from outsiders looking in.

Schweida has long rated Grafterburners highly, and while his winter carnival results don’t jump off the page, they were far from disappointing. The colt finished a credible sixth in both the G2 Sires’ Produce Stakes and the G1 JJ Atkins Plate, and also placed in the G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic.

Saturday’s run in the Magic Millions Sunlight will help shape the colt’s immediate future.

“There’s two options for him after Saturday,” Schweida said.

“He can go to Melbourne for the $1 million Inglis Sprint next month or he can stay at home and run in the QTIS Jewel again in March.

“It’ll be up to the owners but if he stays here, he’ll be in his own backyard whereas you never know what he might run into in Melbourne.”

Schweida knows what it takes to win the Inglis Sprint, having taken out last year’s edition at Flemington with El Morzillo (Star Witness).

While Grafterburners deserves favouritism, he won’t have it all his own way in the race famously won last year by boom colt Private Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}).

The unbeaten Ice Kool (Zoustar) has made a faultless start to his career, Savvy Hallie (Hellbent) brings Group 2-winning form, the well-bred Sylph (I Am Invincible) has upside, and North England (Farnan) could be very hard to beat if he produces his best.

Yellow Brick has the class edge as he chases the cash

With lucrative opportunities now spread throughout the racing calendar, trainer Tony Sears has mapped out an ambitious Gold Coast double for the consistent and classy Yellow Brick (The Mission), targeting two races over the next two Saturdays worth a combined $3.5 million.

Yellow Brick looks a leading contender in Saturday’s $1.5 million Magic Millions QTIS Open, despite conceding seven kilograms to his nearest rival. All things going well, he is set to back up next weekend in the $2 million Magic Millions Cup over 1400 metres.

“We will probably run two weeks in a row because these are big money races, right on our doorstep,” Sears told racenet.com.

“We have given him three trials this time in, and we were always going to run in the QTIS race. You would think he would be very hard to beat on Saturday, even though he’s got a bit of weight.

“He has probably got a class edge on some of his rivals.

“As long as he comes through this alright, we will definitely run in the next one.”

While Yellow Brick’s Sydney spring campaign reads modestly on paper - four unplaced runs, Sears believes the performances were far better than the results suggest.

“I think the whole lot of his runs in Sydney, he went enormous. He was certainly in a couple of races that just weren’t run to suit.

“But when you are racing against those sort of horses and only getting beaten a few lengths, you’ve got to be happy.

“His last run was terrific down in Sydney and he certainly wasn’t running against bad horses.”

Despite holding a clear class edge, Yellow Brick still faces a challenge under the weight scale. The Tony Gollan-trained duo Boomtown Boss (Spirit Of Boom) and Bossed Up (Better Than Ready) loom as dangers, while the in-form Ready To Schipp (Better Than Ready) and Hatchet (Worthy Cause) could be the blowout chances.

Itchintogo tackles the debutants in the Gold Nugget

It’s a rare sight to see a proven winner take on a field of first starters in a $150,000 event, even if a juvenile race, but that’s exactly the scenario facing Itchintogo (Sun City) in Saturday’s Gold Nugget. On exposed form alone, the gelding looks very hard to beat while carrying just 2kg above the minimum.

Trainer Tony Gollan has his eye firmly on Saturday’s prize, but he’s also clear that the bigger picture is next weekend’s $3 million R. Listed Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic, where he wants Itchintogo to be peaking and at his ultimate best.

“I want to use this to try to take the edge off him a bit for the following week,” Gollan told racenet.com.

“He was a bit keen in his last win at the 1110 metres at Doomben and I jumped him out the other day and he was a bit keen in the jumpout again.

“He wasn’t an expensive horse but he is a real little racehorse, he is just a little bit too racy at times. To get the 1200m strongly on Magic Millions day, he has just got to execute things a bit better.”

If Itchintogo can iron out those racing manners, Gollan believes he can be a serious player on Magic Millions day - a race the trainer won previously with Skirt The Law (Better Than Ready).

“He is good odds at the moment because he hasn’t raced for a while, but that was my plan,” Gollan said.

“The Zip Lock form looks good form and my horse was a bit underdone when those two tangled.

“If my horse can come out and win on Saturday, there’s no reason he wouldn’t get a good chance in the Magic Millions and (be) a single figure hope in betting markets.”

Among the unraced brigade, the Toby Edmonds-trained Baciami (Castelvecchio) has trialled impressively at the Gold Coast, while the Stuart Kendrick-trained Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Wootton You Know demands respect on pedigree alone.

Aztec Ruler back for another crack at the Standish

The West Australian-based Aztec Ruler (Universal Ruler) heads back to Flemington on Saturday with unfinished business, lining up in the G3 Standish Handicap after falling just short in the race 12 months ago.

The gelding was beaten only by It’sourtime (Time For War) last year, and returns in arguably stronger form, even if trainer Stefan Vahala concedes the opposition may be deeper this time around.

“He’s going better than last year, but I think unfortunately the field’s a bit stronger than last year,” he told racingandsports.com.au.

“My bloke’s definitely going better than ever, though, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Weight relief could play a key role in his chances. Aztec Ruler carried 59kg when finishing second in last year’s Standish, but drops to 57.5kg on Saturday, bringing him in line with the last start Listed winner Christmas Stakes winner Hedged (Capitalist).

While his recent form figures may appear similar to last season, Vahala believes the substance behind those runs tells a different story. Aztec Ruler again finished midfield in the G3 Gold Rush over 1400 metres at his final lead-up, but it was the way he performed - rather than the finishing position - that encouraged another tilt at the Standish.

“His last run, he was ridden against his pattern and he got tired the last 150, but he put himself in the race and was really strong until that 150, whereas in previous preps if he’d have been ridden like that, he would have really dropped out,” Vahala said.

“His run before that, running second to probably West Australia's best horse in Cosmic Crusader, that was a big run as well. So without winning, he’s been very good.”

Barrier six in a field of 12 gives Aztec Ruler options, and Vahala is confident the gelding is well equipped to handle the demands of racing down the Flemington straight after last year’s experience.

“I think he enjoys the straight, it really suits him,” he said.

“He can really get into a rhythm and then let down that last 300, which is sort of his racing pattern.

“He travelled in Monday night, he settled in beautifully, and I think that extra 12 months and that previous travel has definitely helped him.”

With fitness, familiarity and favourable weight conditions on his side, Aztec Ruler shapes as a genuine contender once again, though he’ll need to be at his best to hold out the likes of Maharba (Pride Of Dubai), the classy Aviatress (Smart Missile), and Hedged in what looms as a high-quality sprint up the famous straight.

Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

Putting together the calendar for the events on the Gold Coast is largely an internal effort done by Magic Millions staff, with each individual event run by different personal across different businesses to create the TAB Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival.

Organising so many events over a short period of time is a mammoth effort and impressively nearly all the events are organised by an in-house Magic Millions team. Even the external events, organised by contractors, form part of the whole Carnival and are overseen by the team at Magic Millions.

“The whole carnival is organised internally with a few contractors to help with the showjumping and polo. The team is unbelievable for pulling everything together, it’s a lot of very long days. It’s a big job, but we’ve got some great colleagues, and we work closely with a lot of people and our partners, the Gold Coast Turf Club, Racing Queensland, etc. It’s great to showcase the Gold Coast,” said Greg Irvine, Magic Millions’ Media Manager.

“Small bits of magic bring the big magic. You’re only as good as every team member and everyone has a role to play. Everyone works to the best of their ability, and we think we do it well.”

A Magic impact on Queensland tourism

In 2025, the Magic Millions Gold Coast Carnival contributed over $50 million in economic value to Queensland with over 100,000 visitor bed nights over the two week carnival, and in 2026, the sales company will celebrate 40 years of operation.

“The Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival delivers a major boost for the Gold Coast visitor economy, attracting interstate and international visitors and generating tens of millions of dollars in economic impact for the city,” said Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn.

“What makes this signature Gold Coast event so special is the way it blends world-class racing with live entertainment, hospitality, fashion, and our iconic coastal lifestyle, creating an experience that is uniquely Gold Coast.

“The Carnival continues to grow and evolve adding fresh and exciting events like twilight racing which attract new audiences and plays an important role in positioning the Gold Coast as a world class destination for major sporting and lifestyle events.”

Barrier draw showcases horsemanship to the public

One of the most photographed events on the calendar is the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic barrier draw, featuring horses galloping along the iconic beaches of the Gold Coast. In 2026, the event shifts to Broadbeach. Cyclone Alfred in March 2025 caused mass erosion of beaches from Coffs Harbour to Surfers Paradise, and the ongoing remedial works is the core reason for the new location of the barrier draw in 2026.

“It’s about a kilometre up the beach to Broadbeach. The area has more beach for the horses and works with the tides. Most people stay in Broadbeach, so it’ll work out well for our clients,” said Irvine.

“The main action begins with the horses galloping every half hour or so from 6.30am. We are taking horses to the people, which is very important. People don’t have to come out here (to the sales yard). It’s very important that people can come here (to the barrier draw), meet the horses, and meet the jockeys. It’s different to the usual barrier draws which are often closed shops.

“We might find someone who wants to become a horse owner, or a child might want to become a jockey after they meet one of their heroes. It’s taking the event out to the people. It’s a wonderful event.

“It takes a bit of organising but it’s a wonderful event and the photos go around the world with thousands of people coming down to watch across the morning. Seeing them engaging with us is important.”

It’s all about the horses

The horses used in the barrier draw event are older retired racehorses, who are used to being ridden short by jockeys, as well as accustomed to crowds.

“We have a team of people who are good horse people who source the horses. They are all retired Thoroughbreds, and they are brought into a bit of training (before the event), so they are conditioned for it. They are all local horses, and now some of them have done it a few times,” said Irvine.

“Some are stakes winners, some are non-winners, and the horses love it. And the jockeys too!. We could have a hundred horses and still have enough jockeys. It’s on the bucket list of every jockey to ride along the beach on that morning. There’s a mixture of interstate and local jockeys and this year we have an American jockey Julien Leparoux, so there’s a touch of international flavour. The ambassadors, Billy Slater and Zara Phillips, join in on one of the runs, so it’s a good bit of fun.”

Leparoux has won seven Breeders’ Cup races and is currently visiting family in Australia.

“They don’t go at full speed, but the horses and riders love it. It’s where people are, they are going for morning walks or riding their pushbikes and they stop and engage. It’s not preaching to the converted, we are getting new people interested in racing.

“If 5000 people walk go past and only two new people become interested in racing, we’ve done our job. The horses love it, they put their heads over the fence for kids to pat them, and they crave the attention.”

It’s not just about the public, it’s also about the connections of the horses in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

“The connections come down for the draw (at 9am), and we actually have cars from the complex here with a magnet on the side, so they get the full red carpet treatment," said Irvine. "We want to make them feel special for being part of the race, and we treat them like celebrities. We have a tent with refreshments for the owners. Without owners, trainers, breeders, we don’t have an industry, so it’s nice to make them feel special.”

Making connections feel special

Making connections feel special goes beyond the barrier draw for Magic Millions. Both the racedays have little touches added by Magic Millions that increase the sense of achievement for owners.

“We make special caps for all the strappers with the sponsors' names and colours on them, and then we have a bunch of caps with ‘winner’ written on the back of them to give to the connections of the winners,” said Irvine.

“It’s those little things, and I don’t think that’s done anywhere else in the world. It’s a big production. It’s good for the sponsors and it’s great for the connections. They won that race, and they get to keep a cap that says the race name like, “Magic Millions Subzero 2026” and “Winner”. Between the stable and the owners, each winner gets 25 caps to proudly wear. They make great mementoes. Not everyone can get the trophy or the rug, but hopefully everyone can get a cap and the memories, and keep it with the racebook and tell their grandkids about it. Not many people win a Magic Millions race.”

Having a unique memento for the connections of winners is important in a world where most horses have multiple owners, and there is only one trophy. Many syndicated horses have ownership groups who never get to keep the trophy or winner’s rug.

“It was an idea that came from Joe O’Neill from Prime Thoroughbreds," Irvine said. "We were talking about how owners like to have little mementoes. It adds to the vibe of it. We do it at all our Magic Millions races, Caulfield, Pinjarra, Wyong, Tasmania, all of them. Everyone gets a winner’s cap, and the Racing Women bonuses, they get a special cap too.

“Magic Millions was the pioneer of the sales-based race and that’s copied all over the world. We were the first to have ringside dining at the sale with people on tables watching the sale, and that’s been copied all over the world too. We have a Racing Women’s bonus which has been replicated in some places. We are proud to be innovative, and just to try and make things good for our clients. Magic is in our name, we want people to feel Magic.”

Running two race days across the carnival is the Gold Coast Turf Club.

“The whole team begins planning for the carnival in July,” said Gold Coast Turf Club CEO Steve Lines. “We bring in around $2 million worth of infrastructure just for the event, and we build our hospitality stock up to four times the food and beverage we would normally have. We bring in around $1.1 million in stock for the carnival.

“We have a dedicated area for owners every year, and we expect to have a lot of VIPs both for the club and for Magic Millions coming to both race days. We implemented the owners’ area a few years ago to enhance the experience. It is right beside the track, but it gives owners somewhere separate from the main crowd, and there's food and beverage on offer in the area, as well as members' passes for the enclosure as part of normal owner privileges.”

Setup begins in December, Lines shared that the club is expecting a crowd of up to 10,000 on Saturday for the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight 3YO Plate card, and a crowd of 20,000 for the 2YO Classic card the following weekend.

“We’re very excited,” he said. “These are the semi-final and grand final weekends for us. This is what we live for, so we are really looking forward to it.”

Showjumping day puts the spotlight on Off The Track horses

A prize pool of $100,000, spread down to 20th place for the Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT) Cup Final, is on offer at the Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping Day on Sunday.

“The QOTT Program is incredibly proud to partner with Magic Millions to present the QOTT Cup Final,” Racing Queensland Senior Animal Care Manager Kim Duffy told racingqueensland.com.au.

“This year marks the third running of this exceptional event, which continues to showcase the versatility, athleticism, and adaptability of retired racehorses. Driving demand for retired racehorses in alternative careers in their post-racing lives is a key principle underpinning the QOTT Program, with premium event partnerships like Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping complementing the support available for all disciplines and levels of competition through the QOTT Event Sponsorship Program.

“Over the past four years, the QOTT Program has launched ten major initiatives to support racehorse aftercare in Queensland. The QOTT Cup Final is a proud showcase of the QOTT Program and our commitment to supporting the equestrian community, who play a major role in caring for retired racehorses for the duration of their post-racing lives.”

Bringing the Magic across other states

Magic Millions takes their philosophy around each sale being an event that’s bigger than the sale and replicates it across other states.

“We have a lot to look forward to over the coming months,” said Irvine. “We have our races in each of our destinations, in Tasmania, Adelaide, Perth, all have Racing Women bonuses, and in each location, we have some get-togethers and work with the local PRAs to have functions to promote horse ownership.

“It’s about demystifying the industry and letting people come in and not be overwhelmed by it. (People can) come and talk to us about how they can get involved. As soon as you walk onto a Magic Millions complex, come and talk to us. We are all hooked and it’s only curable by death. It’s an amazing industry.”

And the final word on the sale itself. It’s the core reason that racing participants head to the Gold Coast for early January.

“We are proud of what they’ve done (with our graduates). Our 3-year-old crop has had six individual Group 1 winners so far," said Irvine. "Ole Dancer, Apocalyptic, Autumn Boy. A horse like Cool Archie won his Group 1 at two but he’ll come back and win more. There has been horses from Book 1 and Book 2, and at all prices. We always say there’s something for everyone, and the race results prove that it’s true."

Table: Schedule of Magic Millions Gold Coast events over the next fortnight

Cover image courtesy of Keeneland

While most will be enjoying the sunshine on the Gold Coast this weekend, one lone expat Australian will be braving the cooler climate of Lexington in search of broodmare prospects for the Southern Hemisphere in the 1097-strong catalogue of Keeneland’s January Horses Of All Ages Sale.

A total of 489 mares and fillies have been catalogued to sell over January 12 and 13, and Byron Rogers of Performance Genetics LLC has selected a number that will appeal to the Australian buyer.

The rise and relative ease of the digital sales platform has somewhat curtailed the size of the Keeneland catalogue.

“We have really pivoted to paying attention to digital sales as well as traditional, in-person ones,” said Rogers. The benefit however is that the average quality across the catalogue is higher, and the January sale also allows race fillies the full calendar year to add to their resumes before heading to the breeding barn.

“A lot of people like to see them race the end of the season out,” Rogers said. “We have the New York and California circuits that finish up after the November bloodstock sales. It’s an opportunity for those race fillies to get the most out of the season before going to stud. It is one of those sales where you can do a bit of digging and find something very suitable for Australia.

“You are typically looking for mares who are in foal with early due dates, where you can foal the mare down in the States and wean the foal before flying her down to the Southern Hemisphere in July, or a mare not in foal that you can bring down immediately after quarantine and winter her as normal in Australia. There’s a couple of flights in the months in between to send mares down.”

More Than Real chances to buy quality bloodlines

One of the catalogue highlights is Hip 734 offered by Blandford Stud, Heras Hope (USA) (Audible {USA}), a Northern Hemisphere 4-year-old whose dam is a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup-winning More Than Real (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}).

A US$675,000 ($1 million) purchase for James Bester on behalf of Kia Ora Stud at the Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale in 2011, More Than Real’s name will be well known to the Australian industry.

A new dynasty has sprung by her blue hen daughter Miss Debutante (Fastnet Rock), dam of G1 Golden Slipper Stakes victress Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) and her Group-winning half-sisters Queen Of The Ball (I Am Invincible) and Platinum Jubilee (Zoustar). Miss Debutante’s fourth foal Lancelot Du Lac (Flying Artie) was a city winner on debut in December.

More Than Real’s full sister Miss Always Ready (USA) has also produced GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf victor Structor (USA) (Palace Malice {USA}), and this lot’s dam Miss Lavinia (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) has already proven capable of producing black-type offspring herself, being the dam of 15-time winner and Grade-performed Arch Cat (USA) (Arch {USA}) as well as the granddam of twice Grade I-placed Cassies Dreamer (USA) (Flatter {USA}).

A winner at two, Heras Hope is offered as a maiden broodmare prospect. Her sire Audible (USA) won the GI Florida Derby and is a son of Into Mischief (USA), who has carved a name for himself as a broodmare sire with his daughters producing 41 stakes winners to date, four at Grade I level including 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint victress Shisospicy (USA) (Mitole {USA}).

“More Than Real is outstanding,” said Rogers. “Heras Hope is a typical example of a California-raced mare. Her sire Audible has come up with a few handy horses recently, and she is out of a Speightstown mare, so there is a lot of speed to her that will suit Australia. There is certainly plenty of appeal to Australian breeders in her pedigree.”

Hip 73 offered by Gainesway provides another avenue into this family by way of Cassies Dreamer’s daughter Camera (USA) (Curlin {USA}), a winner at three who is offered in foal to Practical Joke (USA) on a mid-May cover. Daughters of Curlin (USA) have produced 45 stakes winners worldwide and strike at 63.4% winners to runners. From very limited opportunities, they have produced four individual winners from seven runners in Australia and New Zealand.

A top producer both on the track and in the ring, More Than Real has sold yearlings for $1.2 million, $580,000, and $500,000, and will no doubt garner much interest for her Farnan yearling filly when offered at auction this year. Miss Debutante’s daughter Platinum Jubilee was a $3.5 million broodmare prospect when bought by Coolmore Stud in 2024, and delivered her first foal by I Am Invincible this past spring.

More than a Nugget of potential in Gainesway draft

Hip 158, offered by Gainesway, is another mare in the catalogue whose family have already made a mark in Australia. Fun With Flags (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) is a 4-year-old with European form out of a Galileo (Ire) mare, who is herself a full sister to stakes-winning juvenile Gemstone (Ire) who boasts Nugget (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) among her stakes-winning foals.

The winner of over $1.5 million during his career - more than $1.4 million of which was earned in Australia - Listed-winning Nugget twice ran third at Group 1 level, in the G1 Doncaster Mile and the G1 CF Orr Stakes, the latter of which he was beaten a neck by Jacquinot.

A winner at her only start as a 2-year-old, Fun With Flags collected two wins - one at Listed grade - and a second placing in the G3 Prix Cleopatre in three starts in France as a 3-year-old. She added a fourth placing at Listed level in the States in the latter half of her 3-year-old career, completing a racing profile similar in success to that of Gemstone.

“This mare could clearly run,” Rogers said. “She was a Listed winner in France that didn’t quite acclimatise to American racing. That’s not unusual though, and she is still a young, stakes-winning mare coming off the track, so she will be really easy to breed in Australia.”

Gainesway will offer another lot with Australian connections in Hip 455; Talk To Ya Later (USA) (Perfect Timber {USA}) is out of a Sea The Stars (Ire) half-sister to Street Secret (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}), whose first foal on Australian soil is Listed WJ McKell Cup victress Frankely Awesome (Frankel {GB}).

Frankely Awesome was at her best as an autumn 3-year-old, where she ran second in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes behind Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and in the G3 Kembla Grange Classic. She topped off the preparation with a third in the G1 Australian Oaks to the same filly.

Just like Street Secret before her, Talk To Ya Later is a Listed winner and has performed multiple times at the same level throughout her career and has continued to improve as an older horse, winning again as a 6-year-old in 2025. Through her fourth dam Allegretta (GB) (Lombard {Ger}), she is from the family of Galileo and Sea The Stars.

“She could also really run,” Rogers said. “She went through all of the major races in Canada and was very consistent throughout her career. She really danced every dance, and was still winning races and being exposed as a 6-year-old. She is obviously a very sound mare, which makes her a very attractive prospect.”

Talk To Ya Later is offered as a maiden who could be brought south ahead of the 2026 breeding season.

“This is an interesting one (pedigree-wise), as Perfect Timber is from the family of Danehill himself,” said Rogers. “Being out of a Sea The Stars mare and so closely related to Frankely Awesome, it gives you a lot of opportunities with breeding down under. Frankeley Awesome is inbred to Urban Sea, which could be replicated with this mare. A breeder could have a lot of fun with her.”

Perfect Timber (USA) is also an extension of the Sadler's Wells (USA) sireline that remains popular worldwide on both sides of the pedigree.

In the same vein, buyers might be attracted to Long Neck Paula (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}), a winner of the Listed Debutante Stakes at Prairie Meadows and Listed Bowman Mill Stakes on the dirt as a juvenile who is offered by Hunter Valley Farm.

“She was early and she was very quick,” said Rogers. “The Bowmans and the Debutante are both very early 2-year-old races. Uncle Mo possibly hasn’t done as well in Australia as you might have hoped, but I think she is the sort that could throw a nice type.”

Gypsy Robin (USA) (Daaher {Can}), dam of G1 Moir Stakes winner Wild Ruler, has Uncle Mo’s (USA) sire Indian Charlie (USA) as her damsire.

Listed-winning American mares to produce stakes winners down under include Mohegan Sky (USA) (Straight Man {USA}), dam of G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Little Brose, and More Aspen (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}), dam of G1 JJ Atkins Plate winner King Colorado, and daughters of Zoffany (Ire) have produced 12 stakes winners to date. His daughter Osmose (Fr) won the G3 Epona Stakes in Australia before retiring to stud in 2025.

Top end talent commands attention

Richard G Hogan, acting as agent for Colebrook Farms, has something particularly special on off in Hip 413, which is Grade I-winning mare Simply In Front (USA) (Summer Front {USA}). The best performed of 22 stakes winners for her sire, Simply In Front was Grade I-performed as a juvenile, finishing second in the GI Natalma Stakes, and only improved with age.

Venturing south from Canada to the States as a 3-year-old, she added the GII Music City Stakes to her resume, and she improved again at four to win her Grade I in the First Lady Stakes, as well as the GII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes, earning over US$2.85 million ($4.26 million) in the process.

Rogers singled her out as possibly the top lot in the sale, saying, “she was genuinely a very good horse, and a very, very quick filly. She could get quite expensive.”

Simply In Front is one of four stakes winners - including her GI Natalma Stakes-winning half-sister And One More Time (USA) (Omaha Beach {USA}) - for her dam Complicated (USA) (Blame {USA}), ratifying Blame’s (USA) position as a superb broodmare sire. His influence is most keenly felt in Australia with his daughter Ms Bad Behavior (Can), dam of G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Switzerland.

This family has a fantastic record of producing stakes winners out of black-type mares, further demonstrated by Simply In Front’s dual Grade I-winning third dam Educated Risk (USA) (Mr Prospector {USA}), who produced two stakes winners herself, and the dams and grandams of a further 11 stakes winners and six stakes performers.

Supplementary selections throw up outcrosses

Rogers is of the opinion that the catalogue supplementary lots contain several more mares of interest to Australian breeders, highlighting Hip 1103 in particular; offered by Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services Inc, 4-year-old Tigerish (USA) (Tiz The Law {USA}) is from the first crop of GI Belmont Stakes winner and GI Kentucky Derby second Tiz The Law (USA).

A juvenile winner and third in the GIII Surfer Girl Stakes, Tigerish is a half-sister to three stakes winners, including GI Rodeo Drive Stakes victress Avenge (USA) (War Front {USA}), and a European Group performer.

“Tigerish is one that I think could really appeal to Australians,” Rogers said. “She’s a really nice filly and an outcross for Australia. Tiz The Law has started out extraordinarily well with his first crop runners. She ran at Group level in California and I thought she was a lovely type. She was fast too, and it’s a fast family.

“These types of American mares have done so well in Australia. Foxwedge was out of an early sprinting American mare as well.”

Another possibility for Rogers is Hip 1097; consigned by Cara Bloodstock, Storm Miami (Ire) is from the first Northern Hemisphere crop of Blue Point (Ire) and she placed at stakes level as a juvenile and as a 3-year-old. Out of a stakes-placed Sea The Stars mare, there are plenty of proven matches for her bloodlines in the Australian stallion ranks.

“Storm Miami is another option for Australia,” Rogers said. “She has a good European family and Blue Point and his sire Shamardal are already well known to Australian breeders.

“The exchange rate might not be as good as a couple of years ago, but there’s still value to be found in the catalogue. If you are trying to buy a nice mare in Australia, you are looking at spending $300,000 domestically, which is about $200,000 in the States, and I think you could still buy a nice mare at Keeneland to suit Australia for that price.

“You don’t have to spend too much money, but you do need to do the work and find these mares. You still need to assess their shape, they need to not be narrow and lean and weak, they need substance and good bone to work in Australia.”

For the prospective buyer soaking up the Gold Coast sun, Litt Bloodstock’s Jason Litt and Bourbon Lane Stable’s Mike McMahon and Jamie Hill will be on site at Lexington alongside Rogers, inspecting the catalogue over the weekend. Lots can be previewed from Saturday, January 11, with the sale commencing on Monday, January 13.

Cover image courtesy of Sportpix

The Group 3-winning Sixties looks sharp

From the day Sixties (Flying Artie) broke his maiden by over seven lengths on the Kensington last August, he was a colt in everyone’s black book. He then went on to deliver on that promise, when defeating the subsequent G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) in the G3 Ming Dynasty Stakes.

After running a sound fifth in the G1 Golden Rose behind Beiwacht (Bivouac), he was put away for a spell and, judging by this trial victory on Friday, he has returned bigger and better.

The fellow well-bred type Kerber (I Am Invincible) led the field, with Sixties sitting outside her, while Zoufield (Zoustar) settled third, albeit a little wide. In the home straight it soon became evident that Sixties was travelling sweetly for James McDonald, and he held on under minimal urging to win by just under half a length. Zoufield responded well under a strong ride to finish second, while Kerber ran well for third.

The Group 1 winner Attica (Lonhro) ran a lovely fifth after being given a nice, quiet ride by Adam Hyeronimus. He made good ground out wide without ever really being let go.

Sixties is a full brother to the G1 Canterbury Stakes and G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Artorius, now a young stallion standing at Newgate Farm. Artorius also finished in the top four in another seven Group 1 races, including twice at Royal Ascot.

In recent years, Gracie’s Lass (More Than Ready {USA}) has produced a 2-year-old filly named Jacaranda (Home Affairs), a yearling colt by Pinatubo (Ire), a colt foal by Pierata, and was served by Toronado (Ire) last spring.

Sixties was purchased for $350,000 by Aramco Racing from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He is the most expensive yearling purchased by his sire, Flying Artie.

Agrarian Girl tenacious in victory

There was nowhere to hide for the well-bred Agrarian Girl (Tassort) as she won Heat 7 over 800 metres for 2-year-olds in a time nearly 1.7 seconds faster than the quality 3-year-old colt Sixties recorded in his heat.

In what proved to be a strongly run heat, jockey Adam Hyeronimus kept the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained filly in front along the rail, with Cyclone Jaz (Written Tycoon) outside her, and Dustee (Exceedance) making it three abreast up front.

Video: Watch trial replay of Agrarian Girl, video courtesy of Racing NSW

The trio dominated the heat, with Agrarian Girl winning nicely by just under a length, although ridden out. Cyclone Jaz trialled beautifully to finish second under a quiet ride, while Dustee battled on well for third.

One that caught the eye was the Pinatubo (Ire) gelding Superb Thirtyeight who, although only finishing sixth, did so under a quiet ride from jockey Jay Ford.

Agrarian Girl is the first foal out of the dual Listed winner Liwa (Mulaazem). She is very well bred, being a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Coleman (Pierata), who has also placed in the G1 Golden Slipper and the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes. Agrarian Girl’s fourth dam is the outstanding mare Canny Lass (Bletchingly), a dual Group 1 winner and an influential broodmare.

Agrarian Girl was purchased for $280,000 from the 2025 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds, from the Emirates Park draft.

Scintillation scores in Heat 8

It was the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Scintillation (I Am Invincible) who scored in the second of the juvenile heats over 800 metres, running a time just 0.01 seconds faster than Agrarian Girl in the previous heat.

The well-bred I Am Invincible filly, who carries the famous Rosemont colours, was second out of the gates as the lightning-quick Plagiarism (Written By) began sharply. Scintillation quickly kicked up along the rail to share the lead with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained filly, who placed in the $1 million Golden Gift on debut. The pair battled it out, with the Rosemont-owned filly prevailing by a long neck, while Queen’s Gamble (Anders) finished a close-up third.

Video: Watch trial replay of Scintillation, video courtesy of Racing NSW

There wasn’t much between them, but one to add to the black book was Confederation (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who ran a lovely fourth in the Coolmore colours under the tight grip of James McDonald. The $650,000 graduate of the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale is one to keep an eye on, while Chayan (I Am Invincible) also produced a tidy trial when finishing sixth.

Scintillation is the first foal out of the very talented Minhaaj (Exceed And Excel), a five-time winner including the G3 Nivison Stakes, G3 Begonia Belle Stakes and the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. The G1 Golden Slipper winner Overreach (Exceed And Excel) also features in the extended pedigree, as does her Group 2 winning sire-son Lofty Strike.

Since producing Scintillation, Minhaaj has produced a Zoustar yearling filly, a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt foal, and was served by Harry Angel (Ire) last spring.

Scintillation was passed in short of her $600,000 reserve at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

The Agent holds them off strongly

The unraced Harry Angel (Ire) 3-year-old colt The Agent was a strong winner in Heat 9 for his Warwick Farm trainer Amanda Turner.

This was the promising colt’s fourth trial, and he has improved with each outing. Over the 796 metres, he showed good gate speed in the hands of jockey Mollie Fitzgerald and held his opposition at bay.

Video: Watch trial replay of The Agent, video courtesy of Racing NSW

Rave About It (So You Think {NZ}) sat outside him throughout and did well to stick on for second, beaten half a length after racing a little keenly. October Star (Ole Kirk) finished off well for third under a solid ride.

On the back of that professional trial, The Agent looks capable of being competitive in any maiden his trainer targets.

The Agent is the first foal out of Forever Calm (Deep Field), who raced just twice. She boasts a tidy pedigree, being a half-sister to the Listed Scone Cup winner Special Missile (Smart Missile), and is out of the Listed-winning El Prado (USA) mare Quiet Meadow (USA).

Since producing The Agent, Forever Calm produced a Harry Angel 2-year-old colt before sadly passing away in early 2024.

The Agent was originally purchased for $60,000 by A Ryan from the Glen Gallic Stud draft at the 2024 William Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He was later sold at the 2024 Inglis Sydney Ready to Race Sale, where trainer Amanda Turner secured him for $90,000.

Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

Since the release of the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale catalogue on November 10, 2025, several yearlings set to go under the hammer on the Gold Coast have experienced significant pedigree updates. Ahead of their entry into the ring, we take a look at whose page has fresh appeal for buyers and vendors alike.

Lot 641 - Capitalist x Orabelle (Casino Prince), colt - on account of Newgate Farm

This colt is already a half-brother to Listed Sheila Gwynne Classic winner Generosity (Divine Prophet), but it has been his half-sister Midnight In Tokyo (Kobayashi) that has taken centre stage in updating his pedigree ahead of his time in the ring next week. Midnight In Tokyo has been a perennial bridesmaid at stakes level, recording seven stakes placings in her career to date. She added an eighth just after the catalogue went to print.

Come the end of November, the 6-year-old finally had her well deserved breakthrough, winning the Listed Tattersalls Classic at Doomben. A fortnight later, she backed up the effort with victory from the front in the Listed Just Now at Eagle Farm to become her dam’s first dual stakes winner. She closed off the preparation with another placing - another second in the Listed Nudgee Stakes. Job well done!

Lot 758 - Street Boss (USA) x Salamati (Ger) (Dubawi {Ire}), colt - on account of Newhaven Park

This colt’s dam Salamati (Ger) (Dubawi {Ire}) has been a consistent producer to date with five foals to the track for four winners. The best performed so far is Persian Spirit (Cable Bay {Ire}), a five-time winner when the catalogue went to print, and the gelding has been busy ever since making sure that the page keeps getting better.

In three starts since early November, Persian Spirit nabbed a second placing in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes - his first stakes performance - where he was beaten a short neck by Group 1 winner Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking). Next up, he added a sixth win and over $130,000 in prize money in the $175,000 VOBIS Gold Bullion, and followed that with a third in the Listed Kensington Stakes behind million dollar earner Zou Sensation (Zoustar) and Group-winning, Group 1-performed Steparty (Artie Schiller {USA}).

It’s good company to be in, and it provides Salamati with her first black-type performer at a crucial moment in time.

Lot 972 - Hellbent x Whatalovelyday (Domesday), colt - on account of Segenhoe Stud

Most people will be interested in this colt as a full brother of G1 Goodwood Handicap victress Benedetta (Hellbent), but half-sister Sunset Dreaming (Impending) has been hard at work to keep increasing the black-type under their shared dam.

Already a four-time winner - including an edition of the $175,000 VOBIS Gold Eureka Stockade - Sunset Dreaming has spent most of her career in Victoria, and she was sent north this spring to tackle stakes company in Queensland. In fact, she ran into Midnight In Tokyo several times; first in the Listed Keith Noud Handicap, where Midnight In Tokyo finished second and Sunset Dreaming finished fourth.

Two starts later, they met again in the Just Now, where Sunset Dreaming clinched her first stakes placing coming second, and then again at the beginning of January in the Nudgee, where she picked up a third. Alongside another half-sister Whatafox (Foxwedge), Group-placed in the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic, this colt can now boast three stakes-performing siblings, two of whom have definitely improved with age.

Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

Favourite moment - racing, sales or breeding related - for 2025?

Apocalyptic winning the G1 Flight Stakes (and 2025 Princess Series). The scenes in the mounting yard post-race were incredible. A lot of excitement from a large, passionate group of owners in a very special filly.

Which first-season sires are you most excited to see at the 2026 yearling sales?

I’m excited to see Hitotsu’s first crop, as MyRacehorse has a share in the stallion. We’ve been hearing good things, so it will be fascinating to see how his progeny are received through the ring. Anamoe is a standout - a Champion racehorse who has covered an elite book of mares, and we’d love to walk home with one of our own. In The Congo also holds appeal, being by the late champion Snitzel and closely related to Autumn Glow.

Name an emerging human talent in the industry, and say why?

Sophie Johnson at Michael Freedman Racing. She knows racing inside out, handles whatever gets thrown at her, and is brilliant with both our horses and owners. On top of that, she genuinely cares about what she does.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

'Keep the complex simple, and the simple compelling.' It’s advice I come back to often, whether in racing, business or leadership.

What positive change would you like to see in the industry?

A truly unified Australian racing pattern across all states. It would allow the best horses and jockeys to compete against each other more consistently, that’s what racing fans want to see.

Swap jobs with anyone, who, and what would you do?

I love my job. We have a fantastic team, and over 70,000 passionate MyRacehorse owners – it’s a special place to work. We’re incredibly fortunate to work with great people across the industry - stables, stud farms, ambassadors and media alike. I wouldn’t trade this role for anything.

What’s been the most challenging moment in your career, and how did it shape you?

Launching MyRacehorse. More than anything, the early years taught me resilience. Time off was rare, but it reinforced how important it is to truly love what you do. Above all, the experience shaped me by highlighting the value of a strong support network of friends, family and mentors - people who really matter in your life, not just your career.

Is there a particular horse you think about often? Why?

Winx. She was the greatest racehorse I’ve ever seen and inspired an entirely new generation of racing fans. That’s something we’re striving to do at MyRacehorse. To one day have a flag-bearer of her calibre that we could showcase around the world would be something else.

What has been your favourite day at a racecourse?

It’s hard to go past Apocalyptic winning the Flight Stakes, but a close second was watching Willydoit win the 2025 G1 New Zealand Derby with 200 owners travelling over from Australia. That was elite.

If you could change one thing about the perception of horse racing, what would it be?

The perception that racing is bad for horses. Across racing, breeding, syndication and media, the industry is making positive changes to welfare standards. Anyone who spends time in stables sees firsthand the care and attention horses receive every day.

Initiatives like our Horse Super Fund is just one example of the commitment to ensuring horses have long, healthy and fulfilling lives well beyond their racing careers. It’s inspiring to be part of an industry that’s all pulling in the same direction to keep racing sustainable for the long term.