Hunter to the Fore at Magic Millions

HUNTER Valley thoroughbred studs are dominating at the Magic Millions sales in Queensland.

Day one of the four day sale yesterday saw Coolmore buy the top selling horse for $1 million, the vendors of the second, third, fourth and fifth highest selling horses were from the Hunter Valley and the top leading vendors by aggregate were all from the Hunter.

Lot 52 a colt by Fastnet Rock and Risk Aversion was purchased by Coolmore for $1,000,000.

Barry Bowditch, managing director of the Magic Millions said the Hunter Valley breeders were strong in both buying and selling.

“The second highest price for the day was a Snitzel colt, lot 52 from Arrowfield for $900,000,” said Mr Bowditch.

“The third highest price of the day was a Deep Field colt from Kia Ora stud which sold for $675,000,

“Coolmore Stud featured with a Fastnet Rock colt for lot 188 selling for half a million and Segenhoe Stud with lot 215 sold another Fastnet Rock colt for $650,000,” he said.

“There was an Exceed and Excel colt sold by Bhima Thoroughbreds lot 142 out of Oasis Rose and it sold for $600,000.

“Baramul stud was the leading vendor for the day, they led by aggregate they sold more than $3 million worth of horses and Newgate was second and Arrowfield was third.

After day one the average price was up 12% from $192,000 to $212,000.

Barry Bowditch said the strength of racing in Australia was growing and the Hunter was reaping the benefits.

“I think on the whole, I think the sale will continue to grow and when that happens the farms in the Hunter come to the fore,” said Mr Bowditch.

“Racing is great here in Australia you just have to look at the prize money levels in New South Wales especially then all over Australia where racing is great money, whether it is in the country in New South Wales or in the city of New South Wales the prize money is fantastic and the Everest has had a great affect and then obviously we’re having the races here for horses out of this sale; these are all the parameters for why the industry is going well and the rest of the world are envious of what we are doing and they are participating in our industry and buying horses, racing horses here or taking them home,” he said.

“I think primarily we’ve got a deep buying bench due to the fact that racing is great here, everyone wants to participate, whether you want to buy two percent of a horse or a whole horse there’s a horse but there for you and the communication and the enjoyment you can have doing it makes it so easy,” Barry Bowditch said.

Today the horses expected to attract the most interest include one by I Am Invincible Lot 373 from Yarraman Park and Arrowfield Stud have a couple of Redoute’s Choice colts one out of Traceability Lot 398.

Related story:

• Yarraman Colt Sells for $2 Million – January 11, 2018.