Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Ciaron Maher looks poised to be a major force at the 2026 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast, assembling a strong and diverse draft that underlines the strength and depth of his racing operation.
The champion trainer will present 17 within the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, offering buyers access to a collection of mares that have performed at the highest level while also carrying pedigrees that suggest continued success in the breeding barn.
Snitzanova headlines quality offering
Among the leading attractions is Snitzanova (Snitzel), a Group winner in both Victoria and New South Wales who brings outstanding current form into the sale. Her last-start victory in the $1 million Magic Millions Queensland Subzero saw her account for Group One Classic winners You Wahng (So You Think {NZ}) and Major Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) in a performance that stamped her as a mare of considerable quality.
A winner of over $1 million from just 11 starts, Snitzanova’s résumé also includes success in the Group Two Sandown Guineas and the Group Three Spring Stakes, marking her as one of the standout offerings in the draft.
Snitzanova | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Bennet Racing component not just the Snitzanova show
Also featuring prominently is Military Tycoon (Written Tycoon), a Group Three-winning juvenile who made an immediate impression when taking out the G3 Ottawa Stakes at just her second start. She later contested the Golden Slipper and has continued to measure up in elite company, including a competitive showing in the G1 Lightning Stakes against the likes of Tentyris (Street Boss {USA}), Benedetta (Hellbent) and Giga Kick (Scissor Kick).
Her form reads strongly, finishing within a length of recent Galaxy winner Marhoona (Snitzel) and comfortably accounting for G1 Golden Rose winner Beiwacht (Bivouac) at the same time, highlighting her ability to mix it with the best.
Military Tycoon | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Zaszou (Zoustar), another stakes winner, further strengthens the offering and adds to the overall depth within the draft.
"We're excited about the draft heading to the sale, which is largely made up of Magic Millions graduates - some ready for the breeding barn, and others just hitting their straps on the track," Nathan Bennett of Bennett Racing said.
"We're particularly excited by the likes of Group Two winner Snitzanova, coming off a win in the Magic Millions Subzero earlier in the year and now being targeted toward the Group Two The Q22 during the Brisbane Winter Carnival, with longer-term spring ambitions including the Group One Caulfield Cup.
"That looks well within reach given the depth and European influence in her pedigree, which suggests she'll run a strong 2400 metres under those conditions.
Zaszou | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
"Listed winner Zaszou is on a Group One Tattersall’s Tiara path, alongside Group Three winner Military Tycoon, who also profiles as a genuine lightweight contender for the race this year, so we have genuine racing upside still to come through the carnival.
"Our buying results from January have us operating at close to 27% stakes winners to runners, reflected in the performances of horses like Snitzanova, Military Tycoon and Zaszou. We’re also excited to offer some of the first pregnancies by our Group 1-winning graduate Southport Tycoon at the National Sale this year, including Melisende and Holyrood Girl, who will be presented through Riverstone’s draft."
"Magic Millions has been great supporters of our operation, and we've had a tremendous run with their graduates, so it's only fitting to complete the circle and return to the Gold Coast to offer these mares under the Maher Racing / Bennett Racing banner at National," Bennett added.
Nathan Bennett | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Depth through black-type and pedigree strength
Beyond the headline acts, the Maher draft maintains strong depth with additional black-type performers including Group-winning juvenile Icarian Dream (Blue Point {Ire}), along with fellow Group-performers Wiltshire Square (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Extratwo (Toronado {Ire}).
The strength of the catalogue is further reinforced by a roster of elite stallions represented, with the likes of Written Tycoon, Zoustar, Snitzel, Pierro, Not a Single Doubt, Wootton Bassett (GB), Deep Field, Sebring and Toronado (Ire) all featuring.
Confidence in the National platform
"We're really pleased with the draft we’re bringing to the National Sale this year, highlighted by the Bennett Racing fillies, along with a number of other black-type performers," Ciaron Maher Racing's Head of Bloodstock Will Bourne reported.
"It's a group that has performed at a high level on the track and, importantly, has the profiles and pedigrees to go on with it in the breeding barn. The depth right through the draft is strong, and we feel it gives buyers a genuine opportunity across a range of values."
Will Bourne | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
"The National Sale continues to be the right platform to offer these mares off the track — we’ve had some outstanding results on the Gold Coast over the years," Bourne added. "You're getting the deepest buying bench and a very competitive environment at a time of year people genuinely enjoy being on the Coast, which gives you every confidence when presenting a draft of this quality to the market."
