Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
Clearance for the first day dropped to 63% from 64.7% at the same stage last year, the aggregate increased to $5,475,000, ahead of $3,817,500 in 2025, and $3,880,000 in 2024. 140 horses sold on Day 1, compared to 101 in 2025.
The average lifted to $39,107 from $37,014 in 2025, while the median lifted in 2026 to $30,000 from $26,000 in 2025.
The number of six figure lots dropped to six which was lower than the eight lots that made six figures on the first day last year.
The top Lot on Day 1 was Lot 170, a filly by Better Than Ready who was sold by Daandine Stud to Gollan Racing for $130,000.
Sears Racing were the Day’s top buyers, by gross and average, spending $300,000 on three yearlings.
Kenmore Lodge headed the vendors by aggregate, selling 14 yearlings for $633,000. By average (two or more sold), Daandine Stud ended the day on a $80,333 average for three yearlings sold.
Top Sire: Better Than Ready lead the stallions by gross on Day 1 with $817,500 from 18 lots, while Cosmic Force topped the averages (2 or more sold) on Day 1 at $75,000 across two lots sold.
Selective market holds firm at the top on the Gold Coast
The Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale saw strong demand for quality lots in a selective marketplace, with the middle and upper tiers performing solidly enough while clearance rates remain an area vendors and Magic Millions hope to improve.
Trade was steady on the opening day of the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale, with buyers continuing to show strong interest in quality offerings despite a more selective market overall.
Across the session, more than $5.4 million changed hands with 140 lots sold at an average price exceeding $39,000, while the clearance rate sat at 63%.
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Six yearlings reached the six-figure mark - slightly down from eight at the same stage last year - but still underlining that buyers were prepared to compete strongly when the right horses entered the ring.
Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch acknowledged the polarised nature of the market, noting that demand for the better types remained strong.
“It was a very selective market today,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. “For quality horses there was still a great appetite.”
“It was a very selective market today, For quality horses there was still a great appetite.” - Barry Bowditch
While pleased with several key metrics, Bowditch admitted the clearance rate remained an area organisers hoped would improve as the sale progressed.
“I'm obviously disappointed that the clearance rate is below expectations and below where we want it to be.”
However, he also pointed out that opportunities remained across the catalogue for buyers willing to explore the middle tiers of the market.
“I'm obviously disappointed that the clearance rate is below expectations and below where we want it to be.” - Barry Bowditch
“Whether you are a Queenslander or an interstater here as a buyer, there's great opportunities. The vendors are very willing to meet the market and there's plenty of value to be found - in the middle to lower end of this particular market."
“To have sold 38 more horses to this point this year and have an increased average and increased gross are all numbers that are pleasing. But fundamentally over the next 24 hours until the end of the sale and beyond we want to improve the clearance rate.”
Bowditch also highlighted the broad buying bench supporting the sale.
“There's been a great cross section of buyers that were participating from Queensland, interstate, New Zealand, Hong Kong - everyone played their part.”
“There's been a great cross section of buyers that were participating from Queensland, interstate, New Zealand, Hong Kong - everyone played their part.” - Barry Bowditch
Gollan takes a liking for Better Than Ready fillies
Queensland’s leading trainer Tony Gollan was again active in the ring, securing the top-priced lot of the day when he paid $130,000 for Lot 170, a filly by Better Than Ready out of Gem Of Scotland (Rothesay), from the Daandine Stud draft.
The mare was a six-time winner on the track and also placed at Listed level twice.
Gollan also teamed up with Dream Thoroughbreds to purchase another Better Than Ready filly from Daandine Stud for $85,000, this time out of the juvenile winner Wilcannia (Snitzel), a half-sister to the Group 3-winning stayer She’s Ideel (Dundeel {NZ}).
Reflecting on his buying strategy, Gollan said the Better Than Ready progeny continued to appeal.
“We have bought a few Better Than Ready’s since we been here, this filly was probably the pick of them so far, nice sharp filly, I remember the mother racing, she was quite a good mare, so this filly is out of a good mare and by a good stallion, when you come here to buy these QTIS horses which are sharp, early running daughter of Better Than Ready,” Gollan said
“This filly (Lot 170) was probably the pick of them so far, nice sharp filly... she was quite a good mare, so this filly is out of a good mare and by a good stallion.” - Tony Gollan
He also noted the strong range of Queensland-bred options available throughout the sale.
“There’s a nice mix of QTIS running horses here today and you really open your sights here, there's certainly enough horses to come home with. We have had a good sale so far, good buying here today and long may it continue.”
Tony Gollan | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Better Than Ready proved popular throughout the session, with 25 lots offered and 18 sold at an average of $45,417, topping the sire aggregates with $817,500.
Fittingly, the sale’s leading lot on the day was by a local stallion and secured by a leading Queensland trainer.
| 170 | Better Than Ready | Gem of Scotland | F | Daandine Stud | Gollan Racing Pty Ltd | QLD | $ 130,000 |
| 119 | Wild Ruler | Desert Rose (NZ) | C | Figtree Thoroughbreds | Sears Racing | QLD | $ 120,000 |
| 85 | Artorius | Burnt Orange | C | Newhaven Park | Campton Racing Pty Ltd/Washpool Lodge | QLD | $ 100,000 |
| 135 | Dundeel | Dream Tiara (Jpn) | C | Kenmore Lodge | Riversley Park | NEW ZEALAND | $ 100,000 |
| 172 | Spirit of Boom | Georgie's Pride | F | Raheen Stud | Desleigh Forster | QLD | $ 100,000 |
| 496 | Better Than Ready | Flying | F | Telemon Stud | Gollan Racing Pty Ltd | QLD | $ 100,000 |
| 141 | Zousain | Elldarragh | F | Robyn Wise | Bloodstock Solutions | QLD | $ 90,000 |
| 142 | Spirit of Boom | Elusive Meteor | F | Eureka Stud | Rex Lipp | QLD | $ 90,000 |
| 143 | Wild Ruler | Emtevee Queen | F | Kenmore Lodge | Sears Racing | QLD | $ 90,000 |
| 150 | Spirit of Boom | Express Air | F | Eureka Stud | Kristen Buchanan Racing/Tiverton Bloodstock | NSW | $ 90,000 |
Table: Top Lots on day 1 at Magic Millions March Yearling Sale
Local buyers drive the market while girls out perform the boys
As is often the case at the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale, Queensland buyers once again dominated proceedings.
However, the 2026 edition also marked the first time the sale had been opened to non-QTIS horses, creating an additional opportunity for vendors to present stock on the Gold Coast.
Despite that broader offering, buying patterns remained largely unchanged.
Queensland buyers secured 84 of the 139 yearlings sold, accounting for 60.4% of the days purchases.
Buyers from New South Wales, Victoria and New Zealand made up a further 31.6%, while the remaining 8% was spread across Hong Kong, Thailand, Western Australia, the ACT, China and the Philippines.
One statistic that did stand out, however, was the performance of fillies compared with colts.
Yearling sales are often dominated by colts - particularly outside the elite-bred fillies at the very top end - but the figures told a different story after the opening day.
Fillies generated $3,125,500 at an average of $42,236, sitting just under $3,000 above the overall sale average.
Colts, meanwhile, grossed $2,334,500 at an average of $35,915, which was $6,321 below the fillies’ figure.
The numbers represent a notable reversal from last year’s sale. After Day 2 in 2025, colts averaged $38,126 while fillies averaged $29,370, a difference of $8,756 in favour of the colts.
With another day's selling still to come, it will be intriguing to see whether that trend continues or if the balance shifts again before the final figures are confirmed.
Team Sears snap up Wild Ruler colt
One of the more headline purchases of Day 1 came when trainers Tony and Maddy Sears secured Lot 119, an athletic colt by Wild Ruler out of Desert Rose (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) from the Figtree Thoroughbreds draft, for $120,000.
Figtree Thoroughbred’s Ashleigh Webster was delighted to see the colt remain in Queensland.
“He was an awesome horse, he had a great walk, Wild Ruler is on fire, I’m glad he stays in Queensland, it’s fantastic for the sales,” Webster said.
“He (Lot 119) was an awesome horse, he had a great walk, Wild Ruler is on fire, I’m glad he stays in Queensland, it’s fantastic for the sales.” - Ashleigh Webster
The colt had made an impression on Maddy Sears from the moment she inspected him, with his athleticism ultimately convincing the stable to stretch further than initially expected.
“I really liked him from when I saw him, he caught our attention straight away. I initially thought he would be a good breeze-up style horse at a sort of lower price but he is so athletic. He looks like you could put a saddle on him now and he would just go,” Sears said.
“Really, really liked him, he’s just a really nice colt.”
Sears also noted the appeal of the colt’s commercial credentials and incentives.
“I’m really looking forward to having the Wild Ruler colt in our stable, he’s got one of the favourites for the Slipper, and it helps that he is QTIS and BOB’s as well so there's plenty of upside to racing with us, and I can’t wait to train him with Dad.”
Maddy Sears | Image courtesy of Sears Racing
The colt’s dam, Desert Rose was placed on the track but carries a strong pedigree, being a three-quarter-sister to the R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO Classic winner Xiong Feng - Imperial Win (Sing.) (Iffraaj {GB}), and a half-sister to the Group 3-placed Flying Orca (NZ) (Perfectly Ready).
The family also includes the smart Group 3-winning sprinter and Group 1-placed Zarastro (I Am Invincible), along with the G1 Railway Handicap winner Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
| Sears Racing | 3 | $100,000 | $300,000 |
| Gollan Racing Pty Ltd | 3 | $86,000 | $258,000 |
| Shailer Racing | 4 | $50,250 | $201,000 |
| Bloodstock Solutions | 2 | $87,500 | $175,000 |
| Lor Bloodstock Ltd | 3 | $40,333 | $121,000 |
| Riversley Park | 2 | $60,000 | $120,000 |
| Mathland Pty Ltd | 3 | $37,500 | $112,500 |
| Robert Heathcote Racing | 2 | $55,000 | $110,000 |
| Ozbloodstock Co Ltd | 3 | $34,000 | $102,000 |
| Lisa Latta Racing | 2 | $40,000 | $80,000 |
Table: Top buyers by gross at the Magic Millions March Sale
| Sears Racing | 3 | $100,000 | $300,000 |
| Bloodstock Solutions | 2 | $87,500 | $175,000 |
| Gollan Racing Pty Ltd | 3 | $86,000 | $258,000 |
| Riversley Park | 2 | $60,000 | $120,000 |
| Robert Heathcote Racing | 2 | $55,000 | $110,000 |
| Shailer Racing | 4 | $50,250 | $201,000 |
| Lor Bloodstock Ltd | 3 | $40,333 | $121,000 |
| Lisa Latta Racing | 2 | $40,000 | $80,000 |
| Mathland Pty Ltd | 3 | $37,500 | $112,500 |
| Cavanough Racing | 2 | $37,500 | $75,000 |
Table: Top buyers by average (2 or more bought) at the Magic Millions March Sale
Kenmore Lodge delivers six-figure result for Arrowfield
Kenmore Lodge’s draft has been strengthened by a group of 11 yearlings from Arrowfield Stud, including progeny of The Autumn Sun, Maurice (Jpn) and first-season sire Hitotsu.
The Arrowfield contingent produced solid returns on the opening day, with nine yearlings selling for a combined $352,500 at an average of $39,166.
The standout result came with Lot 135, a colt by Dundeel (NZ) out of Dream Tiara (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), who was purchased by Sam Beatson’s Riversley Park in New Zealand for $100,000.
Dream Tiara is a half-sister to the dam of Staphanos (Jpn), a Group-1 producing stallion that stands at Novara Park in New Zealand.
For Kenmore Lodge’s Kellie Bond, the result was particularly satisfying given the opportunity to represent one of Australia’s leading farms.
“A good result for a renowned farm like Arrowfield, he was a quality animal , he was well found here, he is a half-brother to the really exciting horse Journeyman (The Autumn Sun).”
“It’s a real privilege to be able to sell horses for Arrowfield.”
Top sires by gross
| Better Than Ready | 18 | 7 | $45,417 | $817,500 |
| Stronger | 12 | 0 | $41,542 | $498,500 |
| Spirit of Boom | 6 | 5 | $70,500 | $423,000 |
| Wild Ruler | 6 | 0 | $63,167 | $379,000 |
| Artorius | 4 | 1 | $50,750 | $203,000 |
| Pierata | 3 | 3 | $65,000 | $195,000 |
| Zousain | 3 | 6 | $51,000 | $153,000 |
| Cosmic Force | 2 | 0 | $75,000 | $150,000 |
| Top Ranked (Ire) | 5 | 0 | $28,400 | $142,000 |
| Brave Smash | 3 | 1 | $45,000 | $135,000 |
Top sires by average (2 or more bought)
| Cosmic Force | 2 | 0 | $75,000 | $150,000 |
| Spirit of Boom | 6 | 5 | $70,500 | $423,000 |
| Pierata | 3 | 3 | $65,000 | $195,000 |
| Wild Ruler | 6 | 0 | $63,167 | $379,000 |
| Tagaloa | 2 | 3 | $54,000 | $108,000 |
| Zousain | 3 | 6 | $51,000 | $153,000 |
| Artorius | 4 | 1 | $50,750 | $203,000 |
| Better Than Ready | 18 | 7 | $45,417 | $817,500 |
| Brave Smash (Jpn) | 3 | 1 | $45,000 | $135,000 |
| Jacquinot | 3 | 2 | $44,000 | $132,000 |
Top vendors by gross
| Kenmore Lodge | 14 | 3 | $45,214 | $633,000 |
| Eureka Stud | 11 | 11 | $38,136 | $419,500 |
| KBL Thoroughbreds | 8 | 3 | $44,250 | $354,000 |
| Figtree Thoroughbreds | 10 | 1 | $35,200 | $352,000 |
| Lucas Bloodstock | 8 | 5 | $41,688 | $333,500 |
| Lyndhurst Stud Farm | 9 | 4 | $35,778 | $322,000 |
| Attunga Stud | 8 | 0 | $40,125 | $321,000 |
| Daandine Stud | 3 | 0 | $80,333 | $241,000 |
| Raheen Stud | 6 | 1 | $36,667 | $220,000 |
| Glenlogan Park | 3 | 3 | $71,667 | $215,000 |
Top vendors by average (2 or more sold)
| Daandine Stud, Goomburra, Qld | 3 | 0 | $80,333 | $241,000 |
| Glenlogan Park, Innisplain, Qld | 3 | 3 | $71,667 | $215,000 |
| Newhaven Park, Boorowa, NSW | 2 | 2 | $60,000 | $120,000 |
| Telemon Stud, Innisplain, Qld | 2 | 2 | $55,000 | $110,000 |
| Robyn Wise, Toowoomba, Qld | 3 | 1 | $54,333 | $163,000 |
| Clear Mountain Fairview Pty Ltd, Greenmount, Qld | 2 | 5 | $53,500 | $107,000 |
| Murrulla Stud, Wingen, NSW | 3 | 2 | $48,667 | $146,000 |
| Tullyard, Boodua, Qld | 2 | 0 | $46,250 | $92,500 |
| Kenmore Lodge, Wyreema, Qld | 14 | 3 | $45,214 | $633,000 |
| KBL Thoroughbreds, Beaudesert, Qld | 8 | 3 | $44,250 | $354,000 |
