You sort of had to be there to believe it, the Magic Millions sales on the Gold Coast were like “none anyone had ever experienced before and will be seen as one of the most significant in auction history” according to Magic Millions Managing director Barry Bowditch.
Despite Covid running rampage on the glittering strip, the crowds were back and so to the buyers with the prices reflecting the health of industry in Australia along with the thirst for the massive prize money on offer.
For owners within The Racing League the good news is the announcement of another $1 million Race called The Syndicate for 3yo’s and up. Between the Vic Husslers, NSW Tycoons and Qld Rogues there’s ten TRL horses eligible for the new race on Magic Millions Day next year.
The main sale concluded on Saturday night after a spectacular day of racing at the track. The undoubted highlight – the daughter of Written Tycoon Coolangatta winning the $2million 2YO Classic trained by Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace.
“With Covid it hasn’t been an easy sale to stage, but whatever way you look at it, it was a record sale, we are extremely proud of our team and the results” Bowditch added.
In all, gross sales smashed through the $200 million for the first time. The average price of yearlings a massive $294,476 up from $251,095 in 2021.
Many good judges believe the success of a sale should be measured on the median price, which at the Magic Millions was $230,000 up close enough to $50,000 on the previous best.
Even yearling sale veterans were left shaking their heads at the extraordinary clearance rate at 92.72 per cent.
To top it all off, there were 19 yearlings sell for more than $1 million.
Vic Husslers trainer Ciaron Maher was the biggest buyer of the sales collecting 35 yearlings for a total value of $13,335,000 at an average price of $381,000. NSW Tycoons training duo Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott were next with 27 horses for over $10,000,000.
The Autumn Sun was the most sought after of the first season sires, with two of his progeny pushing the million dollar barrier.
Terry Kennedy