Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
Set across two days on Tuesday May 26 and Wednesday May 27, the 2026 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale continues the trend towards high quality, but fewer, entries at physical mare sales across Australia.
With 374 lots, the sale is smaller than in 2025 when 524 lots were offered. The 2024 edition featured 622 lots, the 2023 sale catalogued 725, and in 2022, 753 fillies and mares went under the hammer. The rise of the digital platforms, including Magic Millions' own online sale launched this year, have had an impact on volume, especially in the middle and lower ends of the broodmare market.
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We’re excited by the depth we have within the catalogue. It’s disappointing that there not more horses, but it’s a sign of the times. For vendors who have taken the chance to bring their mares here, they will have a great opportunity to reap the rewards of that decision,” said Barry Bowditch.
“The quality is fantastic, not just with the headliners, but also with all the mares in foal to Australia’s best stallions and there are still mares on offer at all levels.”
“The quality is fantastic, not just with the headliners, but also with all the mares in foal to Australia’s best stallions and there are still mares on offer at all levels.” - Barry Bowditch
Quality is key to mare sales for now and the future
With 40% of the catalogue on Day 1 being stakes winners or stakes placed individuals, the level of class in the sale is outstanding.
Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) is Lot 408 early on Day 1, and the five-time Group 1 winner was crowned Champion 3YO Filly in New Zealand as well as Champion Middle Distance Horse. By a Champion Sire, Legarto is out of a winning full sister to Listed winner Rapid Kay (NZ) (Towkay).
Te Akau Racing will offer Group 1 winners Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) as Lot 503 and Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) as Lot 440.
G1 Australasian Oaks winner Vibrant Sun (The Autumn Sun) is Lot 481 and she’s a daughter of Group 3 winner of eight races Vibrant Rouge (Written Tycoon). Other stand outs include R.Listed Magic Millions 2YO winner O’ Ole (Ole Kirk) and Saturday’s G1 Robert Sangster Stakes runners Stretan Angel (Harry Angel {Ire}) and Super Smink (Super One).
Gallery: Some of the quality mares offered at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale
“As well as so many stars coming straight off the track or destined for more big race success, there's a cracking line up of broodmares with appealing pregnancies,” said Bowditch.
The catalogue on Day 2 includes another 55 black type performers as well as three mares in foal to Extreme Choice. Group 1 winner Startantes (Star Turn) in foal to Anamoe, is joined by Group 1 winner Abbey Marie (Redoute’s Choice) in foal to Castelvecchio.
“It's the most important breeding stock sale in the Southern Hemisphere and has been the sale that started the stories of racetrack superstars including Winx, Golden Sixty, Aeliana, Autumn Glow, Sunshine in Paris, Pierro, Zoustar, Stay Inside, Imperatriz and Nature Strip.”
Mares purchased through this sale have gone on to produce champions and Group 1 winners such as Aeliana (Castelvecchio), Benedetta (Hellbent), Devil Night (Extreme Choice), Golden Sixty (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}), Magic Time (Hellbent), Private Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}), Schwarz (Zoustar), Skybird (Exosphere), Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard), Sunlight (Zoustar), and the incomparable Winx (Street Cry {Ire}).
Importance of the international market
The 2025 sale saw 18 lots sold to New Zealand buyers, three to Japan, two to the United Kingdom and four to China/Hong Kong. Japanese buyers averaged $1.2 million across their three lots, while UK buyers averaged $670,000.
“We are excited to market our catalogue locally and abroad. We have a bigger cross section over the sale than our competitors with an immense amount of quality. I think the international market will find plenty in the pages to choose from,” said Bowditch.
“We are excited to market our catalogue locally and abroad. I think the international market will find plenty in the pages to choose from.” - Barry Bowditch
The appeal for buyers and vendors extends beyond the sale into the Queensland winter carnival.
“There's no other place in the world to be, at this time of the year than on the Gold Coast. Our sale extravaganza coupled with the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival provides a thoroughbred lovers paradise through late May and June,” said Bowditch.
“The Gold Coast, Australia's holiday playground, provides the perfect setting for the Southern Hemisphere's most important breeding stock sale. Other events from the track and sale ring to the beaches and festivals will have our visitors spoilt for choice.”
“The Gold Coast, Australia's holiday playground, provides the perfect setting for the Southern Hemisphere's most important breeding stock sale.” - Barry Bowditch
Beginning with the G1 Doomben 10,000 and going all the way through to the G1 Queensland Oaks, the carnival and sales series has plenty on offer for those who love great racing and excellent buying opportunities.
Buyers can even buy a race filly at this sale, then keep her in work to target the remainder of the Queensland carnival before sending her off to the stallion of choice.
List of events for the sales and carnival
Saturday May 16 - Doomben 10,000 Raceday, Doomben
Wednesday May 20 - National Weanling Sale inspections commence
Friday May 22 - Silks Under the Stars Race Evening featuring the $1M Magic Millions National 2YO Classic, Gold Coast Turf Club
Saturday May 23 - National Broodmare Sale inspections commence
Sunday May 24 - National Weanling Sale from 10am
Tuesday May 26 - National Broodmare Sale - Day One from 12 noon
Wednesday May 27 - National Broodmare Sale - Day Two from 10am
Thursday May 28 - National Yearling Sale inspections commence
Saturday May 30 - Queensland Derby Raceday, Eagle Farm
Monday June 1 - National Yearling Sale - Day One from 11am
Tuesday June 2 - National Yearling Sale - Day Two from 11am
Saturday June 6 - Queensland Oaks Raceday, Eagle Farm
