Magic Millions Broodmare Sale Sets Records

Topped by multiple group winner Gregers, Book 1 of the Magic Millions broodmare sale on Australia's Gold Coast concluded June 1 with a record gross and across-the-board increases.

Gregers, a group 2- and 3-winning and multiple group 1-placed daughter of Commands who is in foal to Victorian sire Written Tycoon, was purchased for AU$1.75 million (US$1,303,400) by the team from Yu Long Investments.

Yu Long's Yousheng Zhang outlasted John Freyer, who bid on behalf of leading Japanese breeder Katsumi Yoshida, to acquire the sale-topper.

"It's a family that has really been developing over the last 10 years or so, and Mr. Zhang just loves the family," said Victorian-based bloodstock agent Sheamus Mills, speaking on Yu Long's behalf. "She was his favorite mare in the sale—he'd obviously missed out on a couple (of high-profile mares). There was a push there from (underbidders) Arrowfield to get her also."

The second high-priced seller of the day came late in the evening, when top-producing mare Polska went for AU$1.6 million (US$1,191,710).

In foal to Sebring, the mare is carrying a full sibling to group 2 winners Catch a Fire and Seaburge. She was offered by Widden Stud on behalf of the Henderson family and was purchased by leading New Zealand-based bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne.

With 711 lots sold, the sale grossed a record AU$105,530,000 ($78,600,900), with an average price of AU$148,425 ($110,550). Last year 556 horses grossed AU$74,676,000, an average of AU$134,309.

"The overall figures for the sale are just stunning," said Magic Millions managing director Vin Cox.

"We're sitting on average of over AU$148,000, a gross of AU$105.5 million and a clearance rate of 84.5%. If you had have told me that a month ago, I would have looked at you like you had four heads.

"It's just a spectacular result for all those who participated. There was a lot of international competition on horses."

Book 2 of the national broodmare sale begins at 10 a.m. AEST June 2.