Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
Clearance across both days of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale was the same as last year at 76%, with that figure likely to improve. The aggregate increased to $11,921,000 ahead of $10,300,000 in 2025 and $8,300,000 in 2024. Across both days, 212 horses were traded, down from 249 in 2025 and 195 in 2024.
The average lifted to $56,231, up from $41,434 in 2025, while the median lifted in 2026 to $30,000 from $25,000 in 2024.
Across both days, 35 lots sold for $100,000 or more, up from 21 last year.
The top lot on day 2 was Lot 1077, a colt by Extreme Choice bought by Michael Freedman Racing, Darby Racing and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) for $400,000 from Newgate Farm.
KPW Bloodstock was the sale’s top buyer by gross, spending $1,005,000 on four lots. They were also the leading buyer by average at $251,250.
Newgate Farm headed the vendors by aggregate, selling four lots (all by Extreme Choice) for $1,430,000. They were also the leading vendor by average (two or more sold) for the sale at $357,500.
Extreme Choice led the stallions by gross across the two days with four yearlings sold for $1,430,000, giving him the title of leading sire by average (2 or more sold) at $357,500. Zoustar came in second with an average of $228,750 across four lots sold.
#1 National Sale concludes on a high
The 2026 Magic Millions National Sale Series concluded on a positive note on the Gold Coast, with a colt by Extreme Choice topping Day 2 of the National Yearling Sale and helping bring the curtain down on a successful fortnight of trade.
Across the two-day Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale, 212 lots sold for more than $11.9 million at an average of $56,231, while the clearance rate finished at 75%.
Extreme Choice | Standing at Newgate Farm
The figures represented a significant improvement on last year's sale and capped off what was a strong National Sale Series encompassing weanlings, race fillies, broodmares and yearlings.
Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said the results reinforced the importance of the sale within the broader bloodstock calendar.
“The results show that when you target this sale specifically with the right sort of horse you will be well paid and well supported,” Bowditch said.
“The results show that when you target this sale specifically with the right sort of horse you will be well paid and well supported.” - Barry Bowditch
“There was plenty of the right people here to buy these horses and when they vetted out well were highly competitive in the sale ring.”
Competition for quality stock was reflected in the number of six-figure transactions, while international participation again proved a major factor.
“We sold 35 horses for above $100,000 which was a strong increase on last year. I think 90 horses went to overseas parties - and that's big numbers.”
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Bowditch believes the sale continues to carve out an important niche within the Australian marketplace, particularly for horses that may benefit from additional time before heading to market.
“I think this sale has a real future. It's a genuine alternative for horses that need time or they're late foals.”
“I think this sale has a real future. It's a genuine alternative for horses that need time or they're late foals.” -Barry Bowditch
Strong gains across all key metrics were particularly pleasing for vendors.
“To have a clearance rate over 75%, a gross up over $1.6 million on last year and an average of $56,000, which is up over $10,000 on last year - these are strong numbers and it's a pleasing result for our vendors who have worked really hard to get these horses ready for the sale.”
Importantly, the positive momentum generated over the final two days carried through the entire National Sale Series.
“The results over the past couple of days has really seen the whole National Sale, through weanlings, race fillies, broodmares and yearlings, end on a positive note.”
“The results over the past couple of days has really seen the whole National Sale, through weanlings, race fillies, broodmares and yearlings, end on a positive note.” - Barry Bowditch
The overall figures highlighted the scale of the National Sale Series, with turnover approaching the $100 million mark across the fortnight.
“To gross some $97 million across the three sales is a big number,” Bowditch added.
“It was a good, strong and competitive market right from the start to finish - everyone got involved.”
#2 The Extreme Choice train keeps rolling
On the back of an outstanding season of sales results at every level - weanlings, yearlings, mares by him and mares in foal to him - the momentum behind Extreme Choice continued into the final major yearling sale of the season.
Across the sale, four yearlings by the sought-after sire sold for a combined $1,430,000 at an average of $357,500. Leading the way was the $580,000 filly out of Volks Lightning (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), purchased on Day 1 by Michael Freedman Racing and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA).
Lot 1040 - Extreme Choice x Artemis Rose filly | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The demand continued into Day 2 when Magic Millions China representative Amy Feng successfully bid on behalf of Linsheng Zhang to secure Lot 1040, a filly out of the winning mare Artemis Rose (Lonhro). The filly hails from the family of successful stallions Snippets, Not A Single Doubt and Derryn.
Feng said the attraction was simple.
“Extreme Choice is a really great stallion and my client wanted to try and get them.”
“Extreme Choice is a really great stallion and my client wanted to try and get them.” - Amy Feng
Later in the session, Michael Freedman, Darby Racing and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) combined to spend $400,000 on Lot 1077, an Extreme Choice colt out of Coco as in Chanel (USA) (Awesome Again {USA}), a Listed winner in America.
The purchase took Freedman's tally of Extreme Choice yearlings acquired at the sale to two, having teamed up with Andrew Williams Bloodstock the previous day to secure Lot 1002, the Newgate Farm-offered filly.
Lot 1077 - Extreme Choice x Coco as in Chanel (USA) colt | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
For Darby Racing's Scott Darby, the appeal of the colt (lot 1077) was obvious given the stallion's continued dominance.
“What’s not to like about buying an Extreme Choice colt, the way he is going, he is dominating, he’s world class, Michael and myself really liked this colt,” Darby said.
“I have some very good clients to put into him, being a late December foal there is plenty of improvement to come.”
Darby also noted the success his operation has enjoyed sourcing horses from the sale.
Lot 1002 - Extreme Choice x Volks Lightning (NZ) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“The Magic Millions June Sale has always been very good to Darby Racing, we have had a lot of success out of here including Group winners Irithea, Dark Eyes and many others.”
“The Magic Millions June Sale has always been very good to Darby Racing, we have had a lot of success out of here including Group winners Irithea, Dark Eyes and many others.” - Scott Darby
Having narrowly missed several targets earlier in the sale, the team was delighted to land the colt.
“We had plenty of budget to come here, we got knocked off with three of the top lots so ecstatic to be able to grab this Extreme Choice colt from Newgate. He's a wonderful horse and doing a terrific job at stud.”
Scott Darby | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Top Lots
| 1077 | Extreme Choice | Coco as in Chanel (USA) | C | Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW (As Agent) | Michael Freedman Racing/Darby Racing/Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) | $400,000 |
| 1063 | Zoustar | Cafe Royal | C | Glenbeigh Farm, Scone, NSW (As Agent) | KPW Bloodstock | $275,000 |
| 1150 | Extreme Choice | Iron Mizz (USA) | F | Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW (As Agent) | Own A Hair | $250,000 |
| 1040 | Extreme Choice | Artemis Rose | F | Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW (As Agent) | Linsheng Zhang | $200,000 |
| 1122 | The Autumn Sun | Gladwell | F | Taghadoe Stud, Scone, NSW (As Agent) | Hayfields Racing | $120,000 |
| 1078 | Zoustar | Cocoa Doll | C | Blue Gum Farm, Euroa, Vic (As Agent for Mill Park) | KPW Bloodstock | $110,000 |
| 1089 | Toronado (Ire) | Daring | C | Taghadoe Stud, Scone, NSW (As Agent) | Stephen Cole/Beamish Bloodstock | $110,000 |
| 1082 | Reliable Man (GB) | Constitutional | C | Westbury Stud Ltd, Karaka, NZ (As Agent) | Regal Farm | $100,000 |
| 1091 | Bivouac | Deep Sceiva | C | Raheen Stud, Warwick, Qld | Phill Cataldo | $100,000 |
| 1123 | Stay Inside | Global Dream | C | Kulani Park, Goulburn Weir, Vic (As Agent) | Shailer Racing/Hughes Bloodstock | $100,000 |
| 1124 | Shamus Award | Glory Moon | C | Ultra Thoroughbreds, Willowmavin, Vic | Cody Mo | $100,000 |
| 1142 | Capitalist | In This Life | C | Forge Thoroughbreds, Scone, NSW (As Agent for Mullaglass Stud) | Delphic Racing | $100,000 |
#3 Michael Costa strikes early on Day 2
Trainer Michael Costa has returned to Australia and is set to establish himself again on the Gold Coast after spending more than four years as private trainer for Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Jebel Ali Stables in Dubai, where he prepared 112 winners across four seasons.
That international experience is expected to prove a major asset as Costa re-establishes himself in Queensland, and he wasted little time making his presence felt on Day 2.
Lot 1031 - Shamus Award x Amateurish filly | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Costa secured the first and third lots of the day, purchasing Lot 1031, a Shamus Award filly from the Ultra Thoroughbreds draft for $60,000, and Lot 1033, a Farnan filly from Twin Hills Stud for $50,000. Later in the session, he added Lot 1096, a Jacquinot colt offered by Blue Gum Farm, for $20,000.
Part of the appeal of the Shamus Award filly stemmed from Costa's previous success with the sire's progeny.
“We had a really nice Shamus Award filly before I left for Dubai. I thought when this filly came out and paraded out the back the first time I saw her, she really had a good presence and temperament. I really felt like she had just that right little bit of sprinkle of dirt in her a bit of fire, but just mentally still strong and a lot of scope there. So she definitely ticked the boxes,” Costa said.
The Jacquinot colt also appealed on pedigree and athleticism.
Lot 109 - Jacquinot x Devious Maid colt | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“The Jacquinot colt for $20,000 comes from a decent working family behind him and has something to work with, a nice athletic colt and looks pretty sharp so should be able to get up and running as soon as we set up the new stable.”
Costa was similarly pleased with the Farnan filly, who features as the TTR Value Buy.
“She was really uncomplicated and looked like a good play at $50,000.”
Lot 1033 - Farnan x Amuri filly | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
As for the transition back to Australia, Costa said much of the focus so far has been on settling the family before turning full attention to the business.
“We will shift the focus on getting the stables up and running in the next month or so and I'm really looking forward to it.” - Michael Costa
“Over the last couple of months it’s been more around sorting a house and getting the kids in schools and that sort of thing. We will shift the focus on getting the stables up and running in the next month or so and I'm really looking forward to it.”
Michael Costa | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
#4 KPW Bloodstock snare another from Glenbeigh Farm
Glenbeigh Farm achieved a 100% clearance rate on Day 1 of the sale with its first draft offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.
The operation maintained that momentum on Day 2 when Lot 1063, a well-bred Zoustar colt out of the eight-time winner and Listed-placed Cafe Royal (Snitzel), sold for $275,000.
Lot 1063 - Zoustar x Cafe Royal colt | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Once again, the buyer was KPW Bloodstock, which had already secured Day 1's sale-topper, the Lope De Vega (Ire) colt from Glenbeigh Farm, for $600,000.
KPW Bloodstock's Millie Walls believed the Zoustar colt represented excellent value.
“He was value for money this horse, paying less than service fee so you can't lose can you,” Walls said.
“We missed out on a couple that we should have got at earlier sales, but we want to keep the numbers up so we come here targeting the well-bred horses and good types and we are happy with what we have got.” - Millie Walls
“We missed out on a couple that we should have got at earlier sales, but we want to keep the numbers up so we come here targeting the well-bred horses and good types and we are happy with what we have got.”
In total, Walls purchased four lots. Alongside the standout Lope De Vega and Zoustar colts, he also secured a Maurice (Jpn) filly from Glen Gallic Stud and another Zoustar colt from Blue Gum Farm for $110,000.
Millie Walls | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Top Vendors by Gross
| Newgate Farm | 4 | 1 | $1,430,000 | $357,500 | $580,000 |
| Baramul Stud | 18 | 11 | $1,245,500 | $69,194 | $380,000 |
| Glenbeigh Farm | 7 | 3 | $1,215,000 | $173,571 | $600,000 |
| Arrowfield Stud | 16 | 3 | $978,500 | $61,156 | $140,000 |
| Newhaven Park | 7 | 0 | $813,000 | $116,143 | $500,000 |
| Westbury Stud Ltd | 10 | 2 | $675,000 | $67,500 | $125,000 |
| Infinity Thoroughbreds | 9 | 1 | $523,000 | $58,111 | $180,000 |
| Blue Gum Farm | 9 | 1 | $500,000 | $55,556 | $110,000 |
| Eureka Stud | 8 | 2 | $469,000 | $58,625 | $100,000 |
| Bowness Stud | 13 | 2 | $433,000 | $33,308 | $120,000 |
Top Vendors by Average
| Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW | 4 | 1 | $357,500 | $580,000 | $1,430,000 |
| Glenbeigh Farm, Scone, NSW | 7 | 3 | $173,571 | $600,000 | $1,215,000 |
| Newhaven Park, Boorowa, NSW | 7 | 0 | $116,143 | $500,000 | $813,000 |
| Middlebrook Valley Lodge, Scone, NSW | 2 | 0 | $92,500 | $105,000 | $185,000 |
| Kulani Park, Goulburn Weir, Vic | 2 | 0 | $80,000 | $100,000 | $160,000 |
| Forge Thoroughbreds, Scone, NSW | 6 | 2 | $71,333 | $130,000 | $428,000 |
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 18 | 11 | $69,194 | $380,000 | $1,245,500 |
| Westbury Stud Ltd, Karaka, NZ | 10 | 2 | $67,500 | $125,000 | $675,000 |
| Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW | 16 | 3 | $61,156 | $140,000 | $978,500 |
| Eureka Stud, Cambooya, Qld | 8 | 2 | $58,625 | $100,000 | $469,000 |
#5 Purchasers from here, there and everywhere
The strength of the buying bench was one of the standout features of the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale, with domestic and international buyers competing throughout the two-day auction.
While New South Wales finished as the leading state by gross spend, purchasing 42 lots for a combined $3,857,000, Queensland buyers were the most active overall, securing 55 yearlings at an average of $56,064.
The depth of participation extended well beyond Australia's eastern seaboard, with buyers from China, New Zealand, Victoria and Hong Kong all making their presence felt throughout the sale.
One of the more notable trends emerged from the Philippines, where purchasers secured 34 yearlings at an average of $17,515. Their strong involvement at the lower end of the market highlighted the broad international appeal of the sale and contributed significantly to clearance rates across the two days.
The diversity of buyers reinforced the position of the National Yearling Sale as an increasingly important marketplace, attracting participants seeking opportunities across a wide range of budgets and pedigrees.
Leading the way among individual purchasers was KPW Bloodstock. Acting on behalf of clients, Millie Walls topped the buying table both by gross expenditure and average spend, securing four well-bred yearlings across the sale.
The broad spread of buyers, both locally and internationally, was a major positive for vendors and further evidence of the continued demand for the National Sale product.
Top Buyers by Gross
| KPW Bloodstock | 4 | $1,005,000 | $251,250 | $600,000 |
| Linsheng Zhang | 9 | $832,500 | $92,500 | $200,000 |
| Macedon Lodge Pty Ltd | 3 | $600,000 | $200,000 | $380,000 |
| Michael Freedman Racing/Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) | 1 | $580,000 | $580,000 | $580,000 |
| Gall Bloodstock/Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) | 1 | $500,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Michael Freedman Racing/Darby Racing/Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) | 1 | $400,000 | $400,000 | $400,000 |
| Own A Hair | 4 | $395,000 | $98,750 | $250,000 |
| John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) | 4 | $255,000 | $63,750 | $125,000 |
| Bingson Tecson | 12 | $240,000 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| SP Bloodstock (Aust) Pty Ltd | 2 | $200,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 |
Top Buyers by Average
| KPW Bloodstock | 4 | $251,250 | $600,000 | $1,005,000 |
| Macedon Lodge Pty Ltd | 3 | $200,000 | $380,000 | $600,000 |
| SP Bloodstock (Aust) Pty Ltd | 2 | $100,000 | $120,000 | $200,000 |
| Own A Hair | 4 | $98,750 | $250,000 | $395,000 |
| Linsheng Zhang | 9 | $92,500 | $200,000 | $832,500 |
| Lok Lor | 2 | $87,500 | $100,000 | $175,000 |
| Doyle Racing/Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) | 2 | $80,000 | $120,000 | $160,000 |
| Shailer Racing/Hughes Bloodstock | 2 | $77,500 | $100,000 | $155,000 |
| Fernrigg Farm | 2 | $75,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 |
| John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) | 4 | $63,750 | $125,000 | $255,000 |
Top Sires by Gross
| Extreme Choice | 4 | 0 | $1,430,000 | $357,500 | $580,000 |
| Zoustar | 4 | 2 | $915,000 | $228,750 | $380,000 |
| Lope de Vega (Ire) | 1 | 0 | $600,000 | $600,000 | $600,000 |
| I Am Invincible | 1 | 0 | $500,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Home Affairs | 4 | 1 | $395,000 | $98,750 | $120,000 |
| Pinatubo (Ire) | 7 | 1 | $379,500 | $54,214 | $82,500 |
| The Autumn Sun | 4 | 0 | $372,000 | $93,000 | $140,000 |
| Dundeel (NZ) | 6 | 3 | $355,000 | $59,167 | $105,000 |
| Toronado (Ire) | 3 | 0 | $355,000 | $118,333 | $180,000 |
| Redwood (GB) | 4 | 0 | $265,000 | $66,250 | $125,000 |
Top Sires by Average
| Extreme Choice | 4 | 0 | $357,500 | $580,000 | $1,430,000 |
| Zoustar | 4 | 2 | $228,750 | $380,000 | $915,000 |
| Toronado (Ire) | 3 | 0 | $118,333 | $180,000 | $355,000 |
| Home Affairs | 4 | 1 | $98,750 | $120,000 | $395,000 |
| The Autumn Sun | 4 | 0 | $93,000 | $140,000 | $372,000 |
| Harry Angel (Ire) | 2 | 1 | $82,500 | $150,000 | $165,000 |
| So You Think (NZ) | 2 | 3 | $80,000 | $100,000 | $160,000 |
| Reliable Man (GB) | 2 | 0 | $77,500 | $100,000 | $155,000 |
| Snitzel | 3 | 1 | $70,000 | $90,000 | $210,000 |
| Redwood (GB) | 4 | 0 | $66,250 | $125,000 | $265,000 |
