This Wednesday sees the commencement of the 2016 yearling sales season with the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast, comprising a catalogue of over 1000 yearlings.
With graduates having produced some exciting victories during 2015 highlighted by the record-breaking performances of Winx (Street Cry), the Golden Slipper victory of Vancouver (Medaglia d’Oro), outstanding sprinter Buffering (Mossman) and the multiple Group 1 wins of Horse of the Year Dissident (Sebring), the sires of these winners are all represented at the upcoming sale.
“This catalogue is a product of the faith breeders have shown in Magic Millions,” Managing Director Vin Cox stated.
The unequivocal support from breeders has resulted in an exceptional offering of yearlings to be presented for sale on the Gold Coast to a global market.
“The breeders have raised the bar and elevated 2016 to the next level. Take a look at the sensational catalogue they are responsible for,” Cox added.
The catalogue includes half relations to Group 1 winners Alboran Sea, Amicus, Delgao Deluxe, Foxwedge, Entisaar, Miracles Of Life, Meurice, Hurtle Myrtle, Vancouver, Peggy Jean, Polar Success, Star Witness, Spirit Of Boom, Starspangledbanner, Sweet Idea, and Zoustar.
While Group 1-winning mares Allow, Covertly, Devil Moon, Mid Summer Music, Hurtle Myrtle, Serious Speed, Sky Cuddle, Bonanova, Asia, Aqua D’Amore, Dane Ripper, Aloha and Alverta will all be represented by yearlings.
Not only is the sale capable of creating history and achieving a record gross, but the first $10 million race day will be held on January 9 at the Gold Coast Turf Club, where Peter and Paul Snowden’s Capitalist (Written Tycoon) is all the rage for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic after an unbeaten career to date.
The barrier draws for the day will take place on Tuesday morning followed by the Moet and Chandon Magic Millions Launch party later than evening.
With the Bundall sale complex being a hive of activity since inspections commenced on January 1, social media is awash with images and comments about how busy vendors are with the inspections of their drafts, leading many to be confident of a great sale.
The question many have is will last year’s top price of $1,200,000, paid by Spendthrift Farm for the Sepoy x Sister Madly colt from the draft of Segenhoe Stud be surpassed?
A then record price achieved for a first season sire at the Magic Millions sale, the very same vendor could be in line to achieve a similar result this year as they present the Pierro x Skates colt (Lot 612), a half-brother to Gai Waterhouse’s Champion 2YO Vancouver.
With the international bloodstock industry having descended on the Gold Coast for the sale, one thing is certain, the Magic Millions is fast gaining its place as one of the world’s leading yearling sales.
When questioned about the impact the increased international buying bench has had on the sale, Coolmore Stud’s Sebastian Hutch, was effusive in his praise for the sale company.
“Huge credit is due to Gerry Harvey and the team at magic Millions who continue to do all they can to promote the sale, and the sport, to investors and participants right around the world.
“The support by the Queensland government of the expanded Magic Millions carnival has added further impetus to what was already a fantastic event.
“All these factors are sure to contribute to the increase in what is already a very strong international buying bench, particularly through Singapore and Hong Kong. The door to China has been slowly opening each year and it is most encouraging to not only see their recent success but also an increased presence here in Australia.”
“Add in the fact that owners from the USA, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, New Zealand, France, Macau, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Ireland have enjoyed Group 1 success in Australia in 2015 and you can see why people are keen to come to participate in a sale like the Magic Millions.”
All the action of the sale, which kicks off at 10am Queensland time, can be viewed online here.
