THE Gold Coast Magic Millions burst from the blocks and never looked back. With five sessions making up Book 1 and an increase of 74 more yearlings than in 2020, the sale, maintaining last year’s excellent clearance rate of 89%, grossed a staggering A$196 million.

From 787 yearlings sold, Book 1 averaged A$252,433 with the median at $180,000, setting the tone for what should be a sales season as good as, if not stronger than 2020. The performance of which is all the more remarkable considering the obstacles presented by Covid-19 over the past 12 months.

“Over the last week we have witnessed something very special,” said Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch. “From the first lot on Tuesday until the final lot today it’s been truly remarkable. The thirst for quality was intense.

“We worked hard in getting the best possible buying bench to the sale and to be involved remotely and they have responded in spirited style. A lot of hurdles were placed before us in the weeks leading into the sale and the whole Magic Millions team had to be incredibly dynamic. I am so proud of how they stepped up to the plate to drive what has been an outstanding event.”

The Snitzel colt out of Bonny O’Reilly, bought by Tom Magnier for $1.9 million on day one remained the top lot for the sale, as 12 yearlings broke the seven-figure barrier.

The lone filly in that group went to Ciaron Maher’s team for $1.2 million. By I Am Invincible, she is a full-sister to Maher and Eustace’s Group 1-winning sprinter Loving Gaby.

The other colts to reach a million or more were another Snitzel and I Am Invincible, four Not A Single Doubts, and colts by Kingman, Written Tycoon, Shalaa and Zoustar.

First season

The leading first-season sire for the sale was the French-bred Almanzor whose three of four to sell averaged $506,667, impressively off a NZ$30,000 service fee. Next best was Invader (Snitzel) whose seven averaged A$257,143, ahead of Merchant Navy whose 19 yearlings averaged $205,263.

Australia’s current leading sire Not A Single Doubt topped the overall sires’ table, with his 17 yearlings averaging $597,647. But as has been the case in recent sales, I Am Invincible was the real powerhouse of the sale, his 43 yearlings to sell in Book 1 grossed $23,640,000 at a staggering average of $549,767.

Pensioned off covering duties last year, Not A Single Doubt aided Arrowfield to the leading vendor title, their 45 yearlings that averaged $325,889 yielding an aggregate of $14,665,000, which placed them ahead of Widden Stud (37 yearlings at $11,700,000) and Coolmore (41 yearlings at $11,435,000).

The mood of the buyers was summed up succinctly by Queensland’s premier trainer Tony Gollan. “I thought these sales would be strong, but I didn’t think anything like this,” said Gollan.

“She’s been very tough going out there. Every breeder I spoke to has had a good sale and every buyer has done it pretty tough. It’s a really good thing for our industry, it shows how popular the sport is, people want to invest in it. We have a great captive audience at the moment in racing and it’s going great guns.”

Purchasers

In the buying ranks Aquis Farm’s Tony Fung and Phoenix Thoroughbreds led the table purchasing 19 yearlings for $11,645,000 at an average of $612,895. They just shaded the rising tide of Ciaron Maher Bloodstock whose team bought 36 yearlings for $11,180,000 at an average of $310,556.

By average though, it was Tom Magnier who led all-comers signing for six at an average of $1,067,500, including three of the top four lots.