Record Day for Magic Millions Broodmare Sale

Group 2 winner Nurse Kitchen topped a record-breaking first day of the 2017 Magic Millions national broodmare sale May 30 on the Gold Coast.

The 3-year-old filly by Savabeel sold for AU$1.7 million (US$1,264,680) and was one of three lots on the day to sell for over AU$1 million (US$743,930).

Those purchases and the sale of 255 lots for AU$44,916,500 (US$33,414,700) resulted in a record one-day gross for Magic Millions at any auction in the company's history.

The average price of AU$176,143 (US$131,038) was up on last year's smaller session while the clearance rate was 85%.

"That is a staggering figure in anyone's language," Magic Millions managing director Vin Cox said of the day's trading. "We are just delighted, obviously with the quality of horses we offered today and the competition was here from all parts of the globe. It's been a very rewarding day all round. I think what really stood out was the competition right throughout the day."

Offered by Bhima Thoroughbreds on behalf of Peter and Sarah Moody, Nurse Kitchen was knocked down to Michael Wallace for the China Horse Club.

Produced from the Montjeu mare Flying Monty, Nurse Kitchen won the group 2 P.W. Glass Moonee Valley Fillies Classic and was a close runner-up in the group 1 Vinery Stud Storm Queen Stakes.

"Obviously she is a filly that we think has great racing upside," said Wallace. "She looks easily capable of winning group 1 races if everything went her way. But we definitely feel there is racing upside in her."

Two other lots on the day sold for AU$1.15 million (US$855,520)—the group 3-winning mare Petits Filous and the young group 1-winning broodmare Soriano.

Petits Filous was offered in the race filly and maiden mare portion of the sale by Glastonbury Farms, as agent, and was purchased by Sydney-based bloodstock agent James Harron.

Soriano was offered by Dormello Stud and purchased by Yulong Investments. The champion middle distance horse in New Zealand in 2014-15, she was offered in foal to Tavistock and is a full sister to group 3 winner Kaiser Franz.

Two lots each fetched final bids of AU$950,000 (US$706,734), with Catch a Fire bought by Barbara Banke's U.S.-based Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings and Scarlet Rain going to James Harron Bloodstock.

The sale continues May 31 at 10 a.m. AEST.