Curtain Closes on Record-Breaking Magic Millions Sale

Godolphin's Phaistos was the top seller of the racehorse session on the final day of a record breaking Magic Millions National Sale on the Gold Coast June 3.

The 5-year-old stakes-placed gelding and winner of just over A$450,000 (US$319,402) in prize-money was bought by Winners Bloodstock for A$165,000 (US$126,322) and will join the Gillian Heinrich stable.

Phaistos' former blue army barn mate Jeronimos was also purchased by the group for A$90,000 (US$68,919) and is set to race in the black and pink colors of the Heinrich team.

In a career spanning 10 starts, Jeronimos has so far been the winner of a maiden over six furlongs at Newcastle last May.

The third highest-priced horse sold from Godolphin's offering of eight was Flemington winner Fatigues, who was knocked down to Victoria's Laming Racing for A$80,000 (US$61,246).

The 3-year-old gelding won a Benchmark 70 race at headquarters last August and ran second at Ballarat at his most recent start May 19.

Magic Millions' managing director Barry Bowditch was pleased with the results of the National Racehorse Sale.

He said: "We obviously had a small group this year. The Godolphin component is always highly sought after.

"There was strong bidding on quality horses, and it goes to show there's plenty of people wanting to take them on."

Earlier in the day Book 2 of the National Yearling Sale came to a close and grossed over A$1.1 million, with 92 lots sold at an average price of A$12,223 (US$9,365) and a clearance rate of more than 81%.

The best seller of those yearlings auctioned on Thursday was a Pride Of Dubai  half sister to stakes winner Jami Lady who was purchased by Scott Bancroft for A$95,000 (US$72,779).

Presented by Roona Lodge, the filly is from the four-time winner Bevico Girl, who at stud has produced two winners from two to race headed by the listed Tab Bright Shadow Quality Stakes winner Jami Lady.

Thursday's sale of yearlings and racehorses brought what has been labeled as the most successful breeding stock sale in southern hemisphere history to a conclusion.

After eight days of selling the 2021 Gold Coast National Sale grossed a staggering A$191,286,000 (US$146,465,777)—smashing the previous record of almost A$148 million in 2019 by 30%.

A total of 1,296 lots were sold at an average price of A$147,597 (US$113,012) and a sale clearance rate of 83%.

Bowditch reflected: "It's fantastic to finish a big two weeks on a successful note.

"The gross figure is A$43 million higher than 2019, which was a record itself. It's unbelievable.

"It's a huge effort by so many components of the industry and the cogs in the wheel that make this a success. I want to thank everyone for playing a part."